The Betting and Gaming Council’s Popular Chairman Steps Down

by Roy Brindley, 16 January 2026

Chairman Michael Dugher is leaving the Betting and Gaming Council after six years with the gambling industry lobby group.

Michael Dugher: “Immensely proud of everything we have achieved at the BGC.” © BGC

Key Facts:

• Michael Dugher is to step down as the Chairman of the Betting and Gaming Council.
• 20 new safer gambling codes containing 100 new standards were introduced under Dugher’s leadership.
• Dugher’s charity initiatives at the BGC have raised over £6.5 million for good causes.

Michael Dugher, the Chairman of the Betting and Gaming Council, is to step down from his role after six years with the lobbying group.

Dugher led the BGC from its inception as the new standards body for the regulated industry, bringing together industry bodies representing land-based casinos, high street bookmakers, and online betting, gaming and bingo.

Dugher was the BGC’s Chief Executive from its inception and for more than four years before becoming its Chair in April 2024. During this time, he steered the industry through the Government’s Gambling Act Review and the publication of the Gambling White Paper in 2023.

A former Labour MP and Shadow Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Michael Dugher, worked closely with the regulator, the Gambling Commission, and other stakeholders to raise standards across the sector.

Under his leadership, the BGC introduced and adopted 20 new safer gambling codes, which contained 100 new standards. Michael also launched several charity initiatives, including the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Grand National Charity Bet, which has raised over £6.5 million for a diverse range of good causes.

Higher Standards in Safer Gambling Embraced

“I am immensely proud of everything we have achieved at the BGC,” said Dugher when announcing his departure. “Working with outstanding colleagues and members, 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 in communities across almost every part of the UK.”

“In an era when there is sadly so much ignorance and snobbery about betting – not helped, in my view, by the decline in the number of working-class people in Parliament – the BGC did a difficult job in navigating the industry through the previous Government’s gambling review.”

“This resulted in a White Paper that, though not without its challenges, avoided many of the most draconian and disproportionate measures advocated by anti-gambling prohibitionists.”

“By embracing change and positively engaging with Government and Parliamentarians, we made the case for an evidence-led approach to regulation and legislation that raised standards, protected jobs and growth as much as possible.”

Dugher added that the BGC had “delivered historic deregulation and investment for Britain’s world-leading casino sector – all while keeping customers safe in the regulated industry,” and stated, “this approach is increasingly at risk today given the very worrying growth in harmful gambling in the unregulated online black market.”

Clarity of Purpose and a Trusted Standing With Policymakers

Reflecting on Hugher’s departure, BGC Chief Executive Grainne Hurst, said: “Michael’s contribution to the Betting and Gaming Council over the past six years has been exceptional. From the outset, he brought clarity of purpose, a trusted standing with policymakers and regulators, and a steadfast commitment to championing a responsible, well-regulated betting and gaming industry.”

“Under his leadership, the BGC was firmly established as a credible standards body, uniting a diverse membership around stronger consumer protections and a shared determination to do the right thing, often going beyond regulatory requirements.”

Hugher will leave his position with immediate effect to take up a new role at Brunswick Group, the leading global advisory firm, as Head of its UK public affairs practice. He will continue to work as a freelance business adviser and will remain a board member and director at Nottingham Forest Football Club.