Vicky Foxcroft will make her first public appearance as the UK’s new gambling minister during the upcoming Labor Party annual conference. Her attendance will likely renew pressure on the government to implement new gambling legislation. The conference will be a fresh opportunity to hear whether her views align with industry expectations.
The Event Is Highly Anticipated
Foxcroft is scheduled to speak at a Liverpool event titled “What Next for Gambling Reform: Time for a New Act?” Labor MPs Alex Ballinger and Dawn Butler, members of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Gambling Reform, are also on the panel. Ballinger was the first MP to publicly call for a new gambling act in June, while other panelists also support tougher regulations.
Curiously, the discussions do not appear to include representatives of the gambling industry. This detail has not gone unnoticed, as people such as Deal Me Out CEO Jordan Lea and Star Sports founder Ben Keith have argued that the event could become an echo chamber, ignoring valuable input from the broader gambling sector.
Some of the panel’s expected topics include the future of the Gambling Act 2005, gambling advertising, protection from gambling harm, treatment services and the responsibilities of individual operators. The gambling industry has largely advocated for evidence-based regulation and has cautioned against policies that could push customers to unregulated alternatives. Retail operators, which have recently faced significant layoffs, are also likely to seek a voice in future debates.
It Is Unclear Whether Foxcroft Supports a Full Gambling Overhaul
Foxcroft has a history of favoring more restrictive gambling regulations. In 2018, she spoke out about what she called an “epidemic of problem gambling” and backed a ban on wagering using credit cards. She also supported giving banks more freedom to block gambling transactions originating from customers suffering from gambling-related harm.
In June 2025, Foxcroft supported an Early Day Motion on “high street gambling reform.” This motion raised concerns about the statutory “aim to permit” framework and the challenges local councils face when trying to oppose new gambling venues in areas already saturated with betting shops. This measure has understandably been highly unpopular with retail gambling stakeholders.
Foxcroft’s previous positions may hint at her future stance on several issues. However, her new role as minister will require decisive decisions on policies that could easily affect the entire UK gambling industry. As campaigners argue that patches are not enough and the UK needs a brand new gambling framework, all eyes will be on Foxcroft’s first public appearance as gambling minister.