SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
An afternoon of frantic Downing Street movements has seen Oliver Dowden (MP for Hertsmere Hertfordshire) promoted to the senior position of Secretary of State for Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Dowden replaces Baroness Nicky Morgan as DCMS leader, who stood down as a Conservative MP last December after choosing not to contest her constituency seat in the General Election.
The DCMS appointment is the second promotion Dowden has received under the premiership of PM Boris Johnson, having formerly served a six-month tenure as Minister for the Cabinet Office.
An MP since 2015, Dowden becomes the eighth incumbent to lead DCMS since 2010. Despite significant cabinet movements, Dowden’s DCMS ministerial team appears unchanged with Matt Warman retaining his position as Under Secretary.
Ministerial oversight of UK gambling will continue to be led by Nigel Adams as Minister for Sports, supported by Helen Whatley – Minister for State Arts, Heritage and Tourism.
The appointment of Dowden was welcomed by UK gambling standards body the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).
BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher said: “We welcome Oliver Dowden’s appointment. He has a formidable reputation in Westminster and Whitehall and we look forward to working closely with the new Secretary of State and the DCMS team as the Government’s Review of the Gambling Act gets underway.”
