The UK’s Gambling Act Review is facing increased uncertainty with the resignation of Damian Collins as undersecretary of the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS). Collins recently confirmed on Twitter that he was stepping down from his ministerial job to focus on his role as MP for Folkestone and Hythe.
Gambling Review Left without a Leader
Collins was appointed as DCMS undersecretary back in July after Chris Philp resigned as Culture Minister in protest of ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s party leadership. Collins temporarily took charge of Philp’s duties and supervised the final proceedings of the Gambling Act Review, becoming the fifth minister to lead the Review after Philps, Nigel Adams, John Whittingdale, and Nigel Huddleston.
The DCMS has been through 11 secretarial changes over the past 12 years under the Conservative government, with the department facing continuing criticism over its poor performance regarding the implementation of much-needed reforms in the gambling industry.
Gambling White Paper Hangs in the Balance
The department oversees the Gambling Act Review which began in 2020 but has yet to be finalized and published due to ongoing disagreements and political turmoil within the government. With Collins now out of the agency, the publication of the White Paper is expected to be postponed yet again.
Michelle Donelan continues with her role as Culture Secretary after new PM Rishi Sunak left the DCMS leadership as is during the senior cabinet reshuffle.