Scully assumes the role of the fifth government official to supervise the examination of the gambling law – iGB
Paul Scully will take over from Damian Collins as the Minister for Technology and the Digital Economy at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), following Collins’s departure yesterday (October 27). Scully will be the fifth government official to oversee the review of the gambling law.
Scully will be in charge of supervising gambling, particularly the examination of the Gambling Act.
Scully is the fifth minister to oversee the review of the gambling law.
Nigel Huddleston was the first government official to oversee the review of the gambling law, serving from 2018 until March 2021, when he was replaced by John Whittingdale. During this time, the government initiated the first phase of the review, which involved a discussion on potential changes.
In March 2021, just before the discussion concluded, Huddleston was replaced by Whittingdale, who oversaw much of the drafting of the gambling law white paper. He was then moved from the position in the 2021 cabinet reshuffle, with Chris Philp taking over.
Philp continued to be involved in the writing of the white paper, which is expected to be released this summer, but he resigned in July as part of a wave of resignations from senior government officials.
In those days, he stated that the assessment had been sent to the Prime Minister’s office.
Nevertheless, when Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared his resignation, Collins assumed the gambling portfolio, postponing the release of the white paper.
Last month, when Liz Truss became Prime Minister, Collins remained in his position, but he departed the administration shortly after Rishi Sunak moved into Downing Street, leaving Scully to take over the responsibility.
Scully, the representative for Sutton and Cheam in London, was first elected in 2015. He has been Minister for London since 2020 and will maintain this position while also becoming Minister for Technology at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. He also served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Small Business from 2020 to July 2022.
“I am pleased to be named Minister for Technology at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and am excited to continue as Minister for London alongside so many colleagues,” said Scully.
Industry Response
The UK industry group, the Betting and Gaming Council, welcomed Scully’s appointment.
“Congratulations to [Paul Scully] on his appointment as Minister for Technology at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, with responsibility for betting and gaming,” the group stated.
Meanwhile, BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher, while offering congratulations to Scully on his new position, also emphasized the economic impact of the gambling sector.
Representing a workforce of 119,000 individuals backed by our associates – spanning from bustling commercial districts to hospitable accommodations, from the travel industry to the UK’s top-tier technological sector – I extend my felicitations to Paul Scully MP on his new position and to Michelle Donelan MP on her return as the Secretary of State for DCMS,” he stated. “Our sector contributes a substantial £4.5 billion in tax revenue to the UK Exchequer and adds a significant £7.7 billion in value to the nation’s economy.
“We are prepared to collaborate with the DCMS to identify targeted, balanced measures that achieve a harmonious equilibrium. We aspire to continue driving substantial progress, elevating standards for safer gambling practices, enhancing safeguards for the most vulnerable members of society, while concurrently ensuring that the 22.5 million individuals who partake in betting activities each month can do so securely and responsibly.”
Dugher also expressed gratitude to Collins for his contributions during his term.
“I also acknowledge the contributions of Damian Collins MP, a highly esteemed departing minister who spearheaded this evaluation and demonstrated a willingness to engage with our industry to comprehend our economic contributions,” Dugher remarked.
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