Culture secretary Lisa Nandy made an unexpected claim for the joy of gambling during a debate in the House of Commons last week, acknowledging the “positive benefits” the industry brings to the country despite her party leading a sustained tax raid and stonewalling on modernisation for the sector.
The culture secretary has surprised many in the gambling sector by acknowledging the multiple economic benefits and joys the activity brings during a debate on taxation in the House of Commons last week.
Responding to a question from Nigel Huddleston MP calling for a promise that Labour will “not do any more damage” to horseracing and gambling, Lisa Nandy admitted she was in “a rare moment of agreement” with the shadow secretary of state.
“I agree with the hon. Gentleman that the gambling industry brings joy to a lot of people,” she said. “He and I have discussed the harms that affect a minority of people. They are significant and important, but the industry as a whole brings positive benefits to the United Kingdom.”
“I think he is underplaying the significant pressures on high street businesses that have existed over the last couple of decades – something that, frankly, his Government did absolutely nothing about over the 14 years that they were in government. We are dealing with those.”
The acknowledgement will no doubt come as a shock to the gambling businesses across the UK impacted by the government’s decision to increase taxes on the sector, while also driving up retail business rates, VAT, and wage costs.
However, Nandy’s public acknowledgement suggests the work undertaken by trade bodies and industry spokespeople to give MPs a better understanding of the sector is beginning to make an impact.
Last week, Nandy was the recipient of a letter from gambling reformer Dr James Noyes, who urged the secretary to pause the introduction of affordability checks despite being an early advocate for the measure, after recognising the impact a hurried introduction would have on “an important part of British cultural and social life.”
Joy and pain
Lisa Nandy said… “I agree with the hon. Gentleman that the gambling industry brings joy to a lot of people. He and I have discussed the harms that affect a minority of people. They are significant and important, but the industry as a whole brings positive benefits to the United Kingdom…
Originally published on Coinslot on April 28, 2026. Republished with permission.