Downing Street to Spearhead Gambling Industry Review

According to sources the Prime Minister and his top adviser, Dominic Cummings, are spearheading the upcoming review of UK gambling legislation. This is expected to take place in the coming weeks following Boris Johnson's wishes for a sweeping reform of the industry. 

With the help of Munira Mirza, Director of the No10 policy unit, they aim to push an overhaul of the 2005 Gambling Act which was introduced under Tony Blaire’s reign. 

Current UK legislation is widely thought to be relaxed, with this upcoming reform aiming to further protect consumers against problem gambling and introduce new curbs on advertising. 

“The PM just sees it as people being exploited and it’s not him” said one MP with intimate knowledge of discussions within Whitehall. 

Sports Minister, Nigel Huddleston, is thought to be keen on a wide-ranging review but speaking in the House of Lords last week, another DCMS minister, Lady Barran, appeared sceptical about the dangers of advertising. 

“I cannot be specific on the scope of the review, but the evidence is not clear about the link between advertising and problem gambling, particularly among young people,” she said.