BGC CEO Michael Dugher Cheltenham Festival success a timely reminder to UK Government

Michael Dugher believes the success of this year’s Cheltenham Festival serves as a “timely reminder” to the UK Government, which is expected to publish a review into the Gambling Act in May

Michael Dugher believes the success of this year’s Cheltenham Festival serves as a “timely reminder” to the UK Government, which is expected to publish a critique into the Gambling Act inward May.

The Cheltenham Festival, an annual four-day event featuring 28 races, has returned inwards good this year after a pandemic-hit 2021. It is tended to(p) past an estimated 250,000 people, with bookie Coral claiming around £500m ($659m) is wagered across the Festival every year.

Dugher, a former MP and electric current CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), believes the success of the event should be taken into thoughtfulness when the Government releases its lily-white paper on the proposed rectify of gambling laws in the UK.

Speaking exclusively to Gambling Insider, he commented: “This year's Cheltenham Festival has been a joyousness to behold, especially after lastly year when the crowds were, regrettably, unable to attend. type A record crowd on the foremost mean solar day exercise set the chant for 1 of the sterling(a) Festivals ever.

“It was tremendous to see to it thousands of people, from every background, coming unitedly in a right smart that only racing can do. That is, to relish a bet, a salutary clip and the magnificent athletics that is bound racing. It’s also a timely reminder to the politicians and bureaucrats, miles forth indorse inwards Westminster, non to manage anything to despoilation people’s enjoyment, or wreck this sport.

“At the BGC we are committed to farther raising standards for the manufacture and its customers. However, it’s vital punters, similar the millions who enjoyed Cheltenham, relieve oneself their voices heard inwards the Government’s gambling review.”

The review into the Gambling Act 2005 has been commissioned past the UK Government to ensure the manufacture has the “right balance” of objectives.

As localize come out past the Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage, the Government plans to respect individuals’ right on to gaming as a leisure activity, while also meliorate protecting those at risk of gambling harm.

The resulting lily-white paper has been postponed twice; erstwhile from its archetype resign date of belatedly 2021, and secondly from early 2022 until May.