SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has welcomed the government’s appointment of Kwasi Kwarteng as the new Business Secretary.
The Conservative Minister will replace Alok Sharma, who has been named president of the ‘UN COP26 Climate Conference’ – the UN’s headline climate emergency conference which will take place in Glasgow later this year.
Recognised as a close ally to Boris Johnson, the new Business Secretary previously served as the Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth between 2019 and 2021.
Kwarteng will lead the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) during a critical time for all UK business sectors as the country begins to navigate post-Brexit and post-COVID-19 environments.
Welcoming Kwarteng’s appointment, BGC CEO Michael Dugher stated: “I would like to congratulate Kwasi on this richly-deserved promotion, and I look forward to working with him in his new role.
“The betting and gaming industry contributes £8.7 billion to the economy, pays around £3 billion a year in tax and employs 100,000 people, and we stand ready to help with the UK’s economic recovery once we are through the pandemic.”
Dugher also paid tribute to the work done by Sharma, wishing him luck on his appointment as UN leader of COP26.
“Alok was very supportive when betting shops were reopened safely along with the rest of the non-essential retail in June, and his help was greatly appreciated by the industry,” said Dugher. “I wish him the very best of luck as president of COP26.”
