Key stakeholders are set to descend on London for the Betting and Gaming Council‘s (BGC) AGM as the industry sits on the precipice of a crucial period.
A decorated portfolio of speakers could be met with a mixed reaction from industry operators, as the dust still settles on crippling taxation rises and a tougher economic environment for the industry.
Baroness Fiona Twycross, Minister for Gambling, and Tim Miller, Executive Director of Research and Policy of the Gambling Commission, as well as Nigel Huddleston, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, will all speak as the industry looks ahead to find focus and stability.
The words of such pivotal speakers will undoubtedly ring around the industry, and iGaming Expert has pinpointed three key themes that should take centre stage as the future focus of the industry is shaped.
Market discontent
Interestingly, the AGM will be hosted by Gloria De Piero, broadcaster, journalist and former MP, and Liam Halligan, economist, journalist and broadcaster. Two presenters who have been at the forefront of government criticism as regulars on GB News.
To say this is a shift to the right for the body is quite a jump, however, it unsurprisingly could indicate they are ready to rally against the government and try to ensure the industry gets a fairer shout.
A more front-foot approach from the industry would likely be welcomed, as 2025 was a year that saw it saddled with significant changes, as recommendations of the white paper continue to be rolled out. Meanwhile, tax changes announced in November have reshaped the future of the industry.
As the UK’s preeminent trade body, the BGC stands at the forefront of leading the industry’s charge into the new environment and must quickly move to help the industry find a path through the changes towards a more positive viewpoint.
Given the presence of government representatives in the form of Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross, it will certainly be interesting to see how the BGC frames the changes experienced in 2025 and the sentiment from members in attendance.
Stability is crucial, and the scheduled panel titled ‘Getting the balance right: tax, regulation and the growth of the illegal market’ indicates that the BGC desires to ensure they meet head-on the challenges presented by all three aspects of market discussion.
Leadership shifts
High-profile departures appear to be the flavour of the month in gaming, and it’s no different for the BGC after the body announced the immediate exit of Chair Michael Dugher in January to take up a role at the Brunswick Group.
The BGC is yet to announce Dugher’s successor, and many members of the association will be keen to gain a greater insight into any potential new appointment, given the importance of the role for lobbying for the industry.
Elsewhere, Andrew Rhodes left the UKGC earlier this month, and the implications of this will also certainly be at the forefront of the minds of industry stakeholders.
From the BGC’s point of view, the body will be hoping to see the appointment of a figure it believes can work with the industry to advance the sector.
The black market battle
The BGC has been on a crusade against black market advertising, and I expect the presence of the illegal sector to be a key theme throughout the meeting.
Monday’s announcement of a consultation on unlicensed operators working with British sports teams by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) was welcomed by the BGC and represented a positive move for critics of the UKGC’s current rules on the subject.
A specific element of this discussion centres around the prevalence of the black market when it comes to sponsorship in the Premier League, one of the most lucrative sponsorship assets in the global sports marketplace.
In a statement released in the wake of the news, a BGC spokesperson said: “At a time when the regulated sector is facing significantly higher taxation and ever-tighter regulation while reducing advertising spend, it is more important than ever that firm action is taken against the growing harmful black market.
“Licensed members of the Betting and Gaming Council are regulated in Britain and follow strict rules on consumer protection, safer gambling and robust financial safeguards. Whereas the illegal, harmful black market operators do not. They undermine player protections, avoid taxes, ignore safer gambling standards and put consumers at serious risk.
“We support action that protects fans, upholds standards and keeps customers safe within the regulated market.”
Industry warning calls about the rise of the black market amid the tax hikes and greater restrictions mean that members will be more keen than ever to understand the BGC’s plan of attack to work with bodies like the UKGC to curtail the black market threat.
The newly minted illegal DCMS-led gambling task force should be at the forefront of this, and attendees will be hoping to hear more details on the task force’s mandate.
Rhodes has set the industry on the path to pursue the black market, something that the BGC will look to intensify as key players specifically circle in on shirt sponsorship from black market operators – it is something that the industry will want whoever takes on the lead to continue.
It has already had the backing of Stella David, the Entain Chief Executive, who condemned the Premier League as ‘a shop window for the black market’.
In an open letter to Premier League counterpart Richard Masters, she stated: “It cannot be right that clubs competing in the world’s most-watched football league are promoting gambling brands that do not hold a UK licence. These operators do not contribute to British sport, they do not pay UK gambling duties, and they do not uphold the standards of player protection that our regulated market is built upon.
“We welcome the government’s commitment to review this area, and Lisa Nandy has been clear that protecting consumers is a priority. But while a consultation runs its course, clubs are ordering next season’s kits and commercial deals are being signed. The Premier League does not need to wait — it can act now.
“A partial solution is not a solution. If we are serious about protecting the integrity of British sport and directing consumers toward safe, regulated environments, then there must be a comprehensive ban on all sponsorship and advertising partnerships with unlicensed gambling operators.”
