Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing renewed pressure over his leadership following Labour’s poor local election results, raising fresh questions over the direction of gambling policy at a critical point for the industry.
The drama this week sees senior cabinet figures urging Starmer to set a timetable for his departure,Wes Streeting stepping down and Angela Rayner stepping into the fray following her HMRC clean bill of health.
For the gambling sector, the political insanity comes as operators adjust to sweeping regulatory and fiscal changes, including the rollout of financial risk assessments, the new statutory levy for research, education and treatment, and higher taxes on online gambling.
And yet, so much still remains unresolved in the Gambling Act Review which has barely plodded along since the Government won the election two years ago.
While Starmer has not been regarded as particularly sympathetic to industry concerns on the black market growth and over-regulation, oddly given the manifesto promise to cut back on burdensome regulation, his continuation in office offers a degree of policy continuity – albeit bad policy. And, notably, it also keeps hostile candidates away from the industry.
All of the potential successors Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, Ed Miliband and Andy Burnham are associated with stronger public health approaches or greater local controls on gambling venues, suggesting that a change in leadership could bring a tougher stance.
As mergers and acquisitions continue and firms absorb rising tax burdens,most operators would prefer an embattled Starmer to the uncertainty of a new administration and potentially stricter regulation. But one warning to the government, many businesses might prefer another General Election and a despatching of Labour in favour of the more business friendly Conservatives, and for a growing number, Reform UK. What a mess!
Originally published on Coinslot on May 18, 2026. Republished with permission.