Top UK Gambling Lobbyist Michael Dugher Quits BGC Amid Regulatory Overhaul

_{Michael Dugher is stepping down from position at BGC. (Image: Alan Evans/Casinos.com)}

Michael Dugher, the chair of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), has resigned from the leadership of the UK betting and gaming industry’s main standards body, a move that marks a significant shift in the organisation’s governance amid ongoing regulatory change.

Dugher, a former Labour MP and Shadow Culture Secretary, has led the BGC through some of its most consequential years, including the culmination of the Government’s Gambling Act Review and the publication of the 2023 Gambling White Paper, landmark regulatory developments that reshape how gambling will be governed in the UK. He has been vocal in defending the industry from what he called 'snobbery, media misinformation and the anti gambling lobby'. 

He steps down with immediate effect to take up a senior role at Brunswick Group, a global advisory firm, where he will serve as Head of UK Public Affairs Practice. He will remain active as a freelance business adviser and retain his position as a board member and director at Nottingham Forest Football Club.  

Leadership Through Change

Dugher was the BGC’s founding Chief Executive in 2019 and took over as chair in April 2024 when Brigid Simmonds stepped aside after her own tenure establishing the industry body.  

Under his leadership, the BGC consolidated formerly separate trade groups into a single industry voice covering high street bookmakers, land‑based casinos and online casino operators. He championed safer gambling initiatives, including the introduction of multiple new codes of conduct and standards, and engaged closely with the Gambling Commission and policymakers to elevate industry practices.  

He also steered the sector through the Government’s long‑running review of the 2005 Gambling Act, culminating in a white paper that proposes some of the most extensive regulatory reforms in decades. BGC publicly supported aspects of the reforms while arguing against what it characterised as disproportionate measures proposed by critics.  

A lifelong racing fan, Dugher also helped launch high‑profile charity initiatives, such as the Britannia Stakes race at Royal Ascot and the Grand National Charity Bet, which collectively have raised millions for good causes.

_{Lifelong racing fan, Michael Dugher. (Image: Michael Dugher/Linkedin)}

Industry Reactions

In his resignation statement, Dugher highlighted both achievements and challenges during his tenure:

“I am immensely proud of everything we have achieved at the BGC … We brought the industry together, embraced higher standards in safer gambling and championed an industry that employs tens of thousands of talented, hardworking, decent men and women …”

He added that combating the growth of gambling on unregulated platforms remains a pressing concern.

BGC Chief Executive Grainne Hurst, who succeeded Dugher as CEO, praised his leadership:

“Michael’s contribution to the Betting and Gaming Council over the past six years has been exceptional … He guided the industry through the most significant regulatory reform in a generation …”

Industry figures echoed support. Ian Proctor, chair of Flutter UK & Ireland, said Dugher’s counsel was vital during the policy transformation period.

What Happens Next at BGC?

The BGC’s leadership transition is part of a broader reshuffle that positions Hurst to steer the organisation operationally while Dugher moves into strategic public affairs at Brunswick.

The BGC continues to lead industry efforts to influence how the UK’s new gambling regulatory framework is implemented, a process that could shape operator practices, consumer protections and the future of gambling advertising and sponsorship.