Peacock confirmed as new gambling minister 

Peacock becomes the gambling minister with immediate effect within the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

She served as shadow gambling minister while Labour was opposition to the previous Conservative government before last week’s landslide victory in the General Election.

Stuart Andrew held the role under the last two Conservative governments.

Peacock to support Nandy at DCMS 

An MP since June 2017, Peacock currently serves the Barnsley South constituency, as of the most recent election. Prior to this, she had two spells as MP for Barnsley East.

Peacock will work under Lisa Nandy, who was this week named secretary of state for culture, media and sport. Nandy took on the brief after shadow DCMS minister Bristol Central MP Thangam Debbonaire lost her seat in the general election to the Green Party. 

“It is an honour to have been asked by the prime minister to serve in our new Labour government,” Peacock said on X. “Can’t wait to get started in the DCMS with Lisa Nandy.”

White paper focus for Peacock

An important part of Peacock’s remit will be overseeing changes set out in the Gambling Act white paper. Published last April, the document includes a host of proposals to transform gambling law in Great Britain.

Some changes have already been made, including a new £2 maximum stake for under 25s playing online slots. Meanwhile, in May, a package of land-based reforms were announced, including a new 2:1 ratio of Category B to Category C and D gaming machines in bingo halls and arcades and lifting the prohibition on debit card payments for machines.

Next up is an affordability checks rollout for customers, with a six month pilot programme due to launch in August.