Vicky Foxcroft, the UK gambling minister, said consultation on removing the "aim to permit" licensing principle will begin "very shortly." She spoke at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, her first major public appearance since taking office in August 2026.
Foxcroft gave no firm timeline. Moderator James Noyes asked the audience to defer judgement on the government's work for a year, until "tangible progress" emerges. One attendee pointed out that exactly the same was said two years earlier, when Baroness Twycross held the post.
The minister announced plans to update licensing requirements for bingo halls to ensure "bingo is actually being played." MP Alex Ballinger raised concerns that some venues "have become adult gaming centres through the back door," referring to machines linked to the highest risk.
Consultation on banning unlicensed operators from sponsoring British sports clubs closed on 9 September. Results have not been published, but their completion appears to clear the way for the "aim to permit" consultation.
Will Prochaska, director of the Coalition to End Gambling Advertising, reminded Foxcroft of the House of Lords committee recommendation for a comprehensive advertising ban. "Britain has more evidence of gambling harm than any other jurisdiction, yet regulation remains among the weakest," he said. Noyes added: "Why spend £18 million on research? Better to direct the money to prevention and treatment."
BACTA president Joseph Cullis supported the gambling impact assessments introduced in April. MP Dawn Butler called them "very weak" and proposed scrapping them before they take effect.
