Dawn Butler Appointed Vice-Chair of Gambling Reform Parliamentary Group
United Kingdom.- 23 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Labour MP Dawn Butler has been appointed Vice-Chair of the Gambling Reform All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in the United Kingdom.
Announced on 22 October 2026, the appointment comes amid intense debate surrounding gambling regulation and potential tax increases in the forthcoming UK Budget.
Butler, who represents Brent East in London, has been actively involved in campaigns to strengthen player protection and expand local authorities’ powers over gambling establishments.
Greater Powers for Local Authorities
One of Butler’s principal initiatives was her campaign against the Aim to Permit policy, which restricted local councils’ ability to reject certain gambling premises licence applications.
The campaign attracted political support, and the policy was subsequently scrapped by Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s Government.
The change gave local authorities greater powers to determine whether gambling venues should be permitted to operate within their communities.
Through her parliamentary work, Butler has advocated stronger public intervention in matters relating to consumer protection and gambling-related harm.
APPG Welcomes the Appointment
The Gambling Reform APPG welcomed Butler’s appointment to its leadership team.
In a statement, the group expressed its satisfaction with the decision and reaffirmed its commitment to delivering stronger protections for individuals, families and communities across the United Kingdom.
The new Vice-Chair joins a cross-party parliamentary group seeking changes to public policy on gambling regulation and harm prevention.
Debate Over Machine Games Duty
Butler’s appointment coincides with a parliamentary campaign to increase Machine Games Duty (MGD), a tax applied to certain gaming machines.
Alex Ballinger, Co-Chair of the APPG, has led an initiative backed by 90 Labour MPs, urging Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey to raise the duty.
The MPs argue that additional tax revenues could support public services and help address the social costs associated with gambling-related harm.
However, industry representatives warn that further tax increases could threaten employment and the financial viability of gambling premises.
Industry Highlights Betting Shops’ Economic Contribution
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) and several major UK operators have intensified their opposition to potential gambling tax increases.
Against this backdrop, Entain, owner of Coral and Ladbrokes, has published findings from a YouGov study examining the relationship between betting shops and local high-street businesses.
The research, based on a survey of 1,475 UK adults, found that:
- 90% of betting shop customers also spend money in other businesses during their visits.
- 54% of respondents combine betting shop visits with other spending on most or nearly every occasion.
- 68% agree that betting shops are an important part of the high street.
Bejay Patel, Managing Director for the UK and Ireland at Entain, highlighted the contribution betting shops make to local economic activity.
The findings form part of Entain’s What’s at Stake campaign, which warns of potential shop closures and job losses resulting from higher gambling taxes.
Next Steps and Industry Impact
Dawn Butler’s appointment strengthens the leadership of parliamentary representatives advocating further gambling reform in the United Kingdom.
The debate will continue ahead of the forthcoming Budget, when the Government is expected to clarify its position on Machine Games Duty.
For the iGaming and land-based gambling industries, the decisions could affect taxation, employment, commercial licensing and player protection requirements.
The central challenge will be balancing gambling harm prevention and public revenue objectives with the economic sustainability of the regulated sector.
Editó: @fonta
