What the General Election Means for the Gambling Industry

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's decision to call a general election on 4 July may have surprised many. It's also likely to impact the gambling industry.

As discussed last week, the UK government proposed new regulations that could impact the land-based gambling sector. The proposed measures outlined the intention to increase the number of casinos, bingo halls, and arcade gambling machines, with an increase of 80 for some venues and over 20 for smaller casinos.

This potential victory for land-based gambling, however, is now short-lived. It seems increasingly unlikely that this new framework will be passed by the government, and the election is a mere six weeks away.

If Keir Starmer wins the election, this proposed regulation is unlikely to be high on the list of immediate priorities.

Only time will tell what the outcome will be. John Bollom of Bacta (the trade association for the UK amusement and gaming machine industry) said: 'A snap General Election was always the biggest risk to getting the Gambling White Paper reforms passed into law.'

He added: 'I am asking every Bacta member to contact their parliamentary candidates – especially the Labour Party candidates – to encourage them to support the land-based gambling reforms. The reforms are so vital for our sector. I like to think they may have been delayed not derailed. Our campaign continues.'

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