New head of DCMS appointed in UK cabinet re-shuffle

British Prime Minister Theresa May’s cabinet re-shuffle this week offers a better understanding of the gambling industry following the appointment of West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock (39) as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

The appointment has been generally perceived as good news; Hancock is respected as a politician who has taken the time to study the industry, and in the past has been active in proposing new laws such as the Offshore Gambling Bill dealing with the horse race betting levy. His constituency includes the Newmarket racecourse, and he has been supportive of UK racing in parliamentary debates as a junior minister.

Hancock has served DCMS as Minister of Digital & Culture since 2016 and will replace Karen Bradley as leader of the department.

He will be a busy man as the DCMS completes the reform of the current levy system and the ultra-sensitive FOBT maximum bet issues, along with a host of other retail and online gambling activity and oversight of the UK Gambling Commission.

Tracey Crouch, the Minister of Sports and Civil Society, will reportedly work closely with Hancock on sports development and funding.