Gambling minister Baroness Twycross has reportedly “sparked considerable debate” among anti-gambling stakeholders following a speech at the recent Gambling Reform Summit, during which she said her intention in office was to strike “the right balance” between regulation and supporting the sector’s growth. She shouldn’t however be overly surprised by the response from the miseries in the audience; the organiser, it is believed, are such ardent prohibitionists that they allegedly refused to allow any representative from the industry to attend the event.
Baroness Twycross has caused consternation among those campaigning for stronger anti-gambling legislation after telling the Gambling Reform Summit of her determination to achieve “the right balance” between regulation and support for the sector’s growth.
Attendees at the 3 September event held in Westminster reportedly “pushed back” against the gambling minister’s statements, in which she described the effort to strike a happy medium as the biggest challenge she faces in her role.
Twycross, though, is a tough cookie, well versed in negotiating hostile territory – this paper has been lobbing verbal missiles at the minister for many months now. Not, however, on this occasion: she’s absolutely brilliant…for one afternoon at least!
True to form, she didn’t cave in. “It is a big responsibility, but I do want to continue with reforms that will improve consumer protection while supporting the sector that makes an important economic societal contribution,” said Twycross. “I know most of you don’t think this is possible.”
Shock, horror: it was an event organised and attended by campaigners, charity representatives, researchers into gambling harm and those with lived experience, most of those present certainly did not think this was possible.
The Teflon-coated Twycross, clearly wasn’t in the mood for a one-way discourse; her hosts, on the other hand, were.
“Attendees and speakers pushed back against her speech, insisting the sector’s growth directly conflicted with efforts to reduce gambling harms,” wrote iGaming Times, while the iGaming Post reported her speech “sparked considerable debate.”
“Her assertions regarding the balance between supporting the gambling sector’s growth and enhancing consumer protections have been met with opposition from various stakeholders. Critics argue that her approach may undermine efforts to mitigate gambling-related harms, raising questions about the government’s commitment to responsible gambling practices.”
The divide between Twycross and the abolitionists at the conference was stark, but the minister was conscious of representation for all – even the nuts.
During the speech, she also attempted to provide charities and research bodies with some reassurance over the allocation of funds from the mandatory levy. The fact that she had managed to dump the useless services of GambleAware should have been reassurance enough, but some absolutists are never going to be satisfied. Although she would have won some over if she were able to provide a timeline for when the government was likely to achieve an “effective” structure of distribution.
That remains a problem… for all stakeholders.
“The three responsible commissioners in England will naturally take time to set up structures to allow funding to flow effectively,” she explained.
“Although the relevant commissioners are leading the decision making, where appropriate we want to make sure that we maintain expertise and provision of service for those who need it most, ensuring a smooth transition to the new system and avoiding a cliff-edge improvision.”
The minister added that “a clear governance structure will look objectively at how the levy is working and hold the commissioners to account.”
Getting cross at Twycross
Baroness Twycross said……. “It is a big responsibility, but I do want to continue with reforms that will improve consumer protection while supporting the sector that makes an important economic societal contribution. I know most of you don’t think this is possible……
