TLDR Vicky Foxcroft has been appointed the UK’s new gambling minister, replacing Baroness Twycross She has a long record of supporting stricter gambling rules and consumer protections Her appointment follows the government’s reversal of the “aim to permit” rule for local councils The Betting and Gaming Council has welcomed her appointment and wants a balanced approach The Council also thanked outgoing minister Baroness Twycross for her work with the industry
Vicky Foxcroft has been named the UK’s new minister responsible for gambling policy. She takes on the role of parliamentary under-secretary of state for Museums, Heritage, Gambling and Lords Minister.
She replaces Baroness Twycross, who held the position since 2024.
Foxcroft has served as a Member of Parliament since 2015. She represents the Lewisham North constituency.
She previously worked as shadow minister for DCMS in 2019. During that time she backed strict gambling reform ideas.
One of her past positions included support for a ban on gambling advertising during live sports.
A History of Reform Advocacy
Foxcroft has a long record of calling for tougher gambling rules. In June 2025 she backed a motion calling for high street gambling reform.
The motion raised concerns that councils lack the power to stop new betting shops opening in areas that already have many. It also described gambling as a public health issue.
Her new role comes shortly after Prime Minister Andy Burnham reversed the “aim to permit” rule. That change gives local councils more power to reject new gambling and vape shop applications.
Foxcroft has called problem gambling an “epidemic.” She has asked the government several times to take action on the issue.
In 2018 she pushed for a ban on using credit cards for betting. She also asked banks to block online gambling transactions for people struggling with