Michael Dugher is stepping down as Chair of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) after six years with the business physique, in line with an announcement from the BGC.
The BGC mentioned Dugher, who was its founding chief govt earlier than taking up the function of chair in April 2024, is leaving with speedy impact to turn into Head of the UK Public Affairs Apply at advisory agency Brunswick Group. The assertion added that he will even proceed working as a contract enterprise adviser and can stay a board member and director of Nottingham Forest Football Club.
In its press release, the BGC mentioned Dugher had led the group since its creation, when it introduced collectively a number of beforehand separate commerce our bodies representing land-based casinos, high-street bookmakers and on-line betting, gaming and bingo operators.
Some private information:
I’m stepping down as Chair of BGC and transferring on to be Head of the UK Public Affairs Apply at Brunswick Group, the main international advisory agency. I’ll proceed as a contract enterprise adviser + stay as a Board Member and Director at Nottingham Forest FC https://t.co/HFkHK7BKHK
— Michael Dugher (@MichaelDugher) January 14, 2026
The physique additionally mentioned Dugher oversaw the business’s engagement with the Authorities’s evaluate of the Playing Act and the publication of the Playing White Paper in 2023, which it described as introducing the most important set of legislative and regulatory modifications to the sector in a technology.
The assertion famous that Dugher, a former Labour MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Tradition, Media and Sport, labored carefully with the Playing Fee and different stakeholders throughout his time on the BGC. It added that below his management the BGC launched 20 safer-gambling codes, which it mentioned included 100 new requirements.
Michael Dugher says BGC ‘did a troublesome job’ amid UK playing evaluate
Commenting on his departure, Dugher mentioned: “I’m immensely happy with all the things now we have achieved on the BGC. Working with excellent colleagues and members, we introduced the business collectively, embraced increased requirements in safer playing and championed an business that employs tens of 1000’s of gifted, hardworking, respectable women and men in communities throughout nearly each a part of the UK. We additionally raised tens of millions of kilos for thus many good causes, significantly for racing and armed forces charities which have at all times been near my coronary heart.”
He added: “In an period when there’s sadly a lot ignorance and snobbery about betting – not helped, in my opinion, by the decline within the variety of working-class folks in Parliament – the BGC did a troublesome job in navigating the business by means of the earlier Government’s gambling review. This resulted in a White Paper that, although not with out its challenges, prevented lots of the most draconian and disproportionate measures advocated by anti-gambling prohibitionists.”
Dugher continued: “By embracing change and positively participating with Authorities and Parliamentarians, we made the case for an evidence-led method to regulation and laws that raised requirements, protected jobs and development as a lot as doable, and delivered historic deregulation and funding for Britain’s world-leading on line casino sector – all whereas preserving clients protected within the regulated business. This method is more and more in danger as we speak given the very worrying development in dangerous playing within the unregulated on-line black market.”
BGC Chair @MichaelDugher is stepping down after six years of outstanding service to the Betting and Gaming Council and the regulated betting and gaming business.
Michael was the BGC’s founding Chief Government for greater than 4 years earlier than turning into Chair in April 2024. He led…
— Betting and Gaming Council (@BetGameCouncil) January 14, 2026
BGC CEO and Flutter pays tribute to Dugher
Grainne Hurst, the BGC’s chief govt, mentioned Dugher’s impression on the group had been important. “From the outset, he introduced readability of function, a trusted standing with policymakers and regulators, and a steadfast dedication to championing a accountable, well-regulated betting and gaming business,” she mentioned.
She added: “Below his management, the BGC was firmly established as a reputable requirements physique, uniting a various membership round stronger client protections and a shared willpower to do the correct factor, usually going past regulatory necessities.
“He guided the business by means of essentially the most important regulatory reform in a technology, serving to to ship the Playing White Paper and form its implementation in a method that balances client safety with the realities of a significant UK leisure business loved safely by tens of millions every month. His management was additionally pivotal in securing long-overdue on line casino modernisation and proportionate regulation.
“On a private word, it has been a real privilege to work alongside Michael. He leaves a proud and lasting legacy on the BGC, having strengthened requirements, unified the business and ensured it’s properly ready for the challenges forward.”
Ian Proctor, chairman of Flutter UK & Eire, additionally paid tribute, saying: “Michael labored tirelessly to assist set up the BGC as a powerful and authoritative physique for the regulated business. Throughout a interval of serious coverage change, his expertise and judgement had been invaluable in supporting constructive engagement with Authorities and the regulator, together with by means of the Playing Act Evaluate and the supply of the White Paper.
“I wish to thank Michael for all his arduous work and, on behalf of the broader business, want him each success sooner or later.”
Featured picture: Betting and Gaming Council press launch
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