BGC at Reform UK Conference: A Milestone in Political Engagement

_{BGC CEO Grainne Hurst meeting Nigel Farage. (Image: BGC)}

This week, BGC CEO Grainne Hurst led the BGC delegation at the Reform UK Party Conference, meeting senior figures including Deputy Leader Richard Tice MP and Nigel Farage MP. The presence of a leading industry body at this event signals that Reform UK is increasingly viewed as a serious contender for power, not just a political fringe, especially amid speculation of an early general election and rising poll numbers.

A highlight of the dialogue was the potential impact of tax hikes in the upcoming Budget. BGC warned that additional taxes on gambling would effectively act as a “punters’ tax,” prompting customers to shift from the regulated market into the unsafe, unregulated black market, a move that would forfeit consumer protections.

Betting Markets: Farage Emerges as Leading Prime Minister Contender

Bookmakers are now treating Nigel Farage as a top contender to become the next UK Prime Minister. According to Ladbrokes, Farage is the outright favourite at 5/2 odds, roughly a 28.6% implied chance of taking the top job. Elsewhere, betting platforms like WhatAreTheOdds report even stronger backing, with Farage’s odds cut to 2/1 and 61% of recent bets placed in his favour. This betting momentum reflects the shift in political sentiment, especially for a party that won just five seats at the 2024 election.

_{Nigel Farage ahead in polls. (Image: Alan Evans/Casinos.com)}

It's not only the bookmakers who are touting the odds in favour of Farage heading for Downing Street in the UK elections and leading the Senedd in the Welsh elections.

The polls also paint a bleak picture for Labour at Westminster. Support has dropped to 20%, down from 37% at the 2024 general election.

Plaid Cymru and Reform UK are tied for first on 24% each, while the Conservatives fall further to 13%. The Liberal Democrats now sit at 9%, with the Greens at 7%.

The poll results highlight a dramatic realignment in Welsh politics ahead of the May 2026 Senedd election. For Labour, it represents a historic collapse, while Plaid and Reform UK emerge as leading challengers.

What Would Reform UK’s Gambling Policy Look Like?

Reform UK’s 2024 manifesto, titled “Our Contract with You,” lays out priorities such as sweeping tax cuts, tight immigration restrictions, and a rollback of environmental goals. However, it offers no specific plan on gambling regulation or reform. For online casinos, bingo halls, adult gaming centres and land-based casinos there has been no definitive information on what they could expect under a 'Reform' government.  

_{UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. (Image: Alan Evans/Casinos.com)}

In contrast, both Labour and cross-party groups have moved decisively toward reshaping gambling laws. A growing internal movement within Labour, along with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Reform (co-chaired by Sir Iain Duncan Smith), is pushing for sweeping changes, such as advertising restrictions, product bans, and treating gambling as a public health issue.

Reform UK’s silence on gambling suggests they have yet to articulate a position, leaving their approach to that sector unclear, making these discussions with the BGC all the more vital.