Gambling minister Paul Scully: 'Nobody is going to get everything they want'

Representatives of the racing and betting industries have been told that "nobody is going to get everything they want" from the government's gambling review white paper when it is finally published.

However, Paul Scully, the minister with responsibility for both racing and gambling at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), said his door would always be open and he wanted both sectors to thrive.

Scully was speaking at a House of Commons reception on Monday evening jointly organised by the Betting and Gaming Council, BHA, Racecourse Association and Thoroughbred Group and which was attended by leading racing industry figures as well as politicians including foreign secretary James Cleverly and former health secretary Matt Hancock.

The minister did not give any clues as to when the long-delayed white paper would be published but said it was important to get the balance right between people enjoying themselves safely and keeping gambling harm at a low rate.

He added: "When we talk about affordability checks, when we talk about the levy, when we talk about looking at stakes and other things, we know that gambling harm is a comparatively low number of people but the impact is absolutely massive when it goes wrong. So how do we get that balance right?

"To the last minute, until we get that white paper out, I will keep those conversations going and then beyond because the white paper is a moment in time, it's not a silver bullet that everything is done when the publication of the white paper happens.

"The Gambling Commission will have to go through a series of consultations on various bits. There may be bits of secondary legislation but at every stage I am determined we will engage with both the sector itself and those people that are advocating for those who have suffered gambling harm as well."

Gambling minister Paul Scully spoke to betting and racing industry representatives

Scully said that what was recognised when looking at the white paper was "how horseracing is so entwined with gambling". He also said the government was committed to reviewing the levy by 2024.

However, he added: "The levy was only six per cent of racing's total income in 2022 and that's why alongside both reviews we want to make sure that the betting and racing industries work together to maximise income from other sources as well. Both sectors have a clear interest in making racing as attractive as possible to customers and I am going to encourage you to work even closer together.

"I am keen that we have as close a relationship as we can. My door is always open to you. As I say, nobody is going to get everything they want but I will try my very best to make sure we get that balance absolutely right to make sure that horseracing and the betting sector can thrive for many, many years to come."

Shadow DCMS minister Alex Davies-Jones also spoke at the reception, where she said she was encouraged by the industry strategy work announced by the BHA last week.

She added: "This is an important opportunity for collaboration as those in the racing industry come together to tackle the challenges that are facing Britain's racing leaders."

Following the event, a BHA spokesperson said: "We were delighted that so many parliamentarians joined us to celebrate the racing and betting industries, recognising their interdependence and our significant contribution to the UK's economy and society.

"This is just part of British racing's sustained, ongoing cross-party engagement on the importance of an evidence-based Gambling Act review, and securing sustainable funding for the sport, underpinning our future success."

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