Labour received an impressive donation from an anti-gambling campaigner in the lead up to the July election. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

A last-minute donation

The Labour and Conservative parties in the UK have both released details regarding donations in their election campaigns. The two opponents competed in the July 4 election, which resulted in a landslide Labour victory as the party secured the largest majority government in 25 years.

Labour received almost five-times as many donations as the Conservatives

Those figures show that Labour received almost five-times as many donations as the Conservatives at £9.5m ($12.3m). That total included a large cash injection from an anti-gambling campaigner just before the election date. Derek Webb, a former pro poker player turned anti-gambling voice, donated £250,000 ($324,173).

Webb runs the Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG), established in response to what he deems “the most addictive product in British gambling premises” – fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs). These are electronic gaming machines on which players bet on simulated events or games, such as roulette, blackjack, bingo, or horse races.

Successful FOBT campaign

It’s likely that Webb is expecting a little more than a thank you for his eye-watering donation to the party, and it is clear from the CFG doctrine what this is – government commitment to improving the safety of gambling in the UK.

CFG has already had success in its campaigning efforts. On its website, the group argues that FOBTs were “illegally introduced by bookmakers” prior to the introduction of the Gambling Act 2005. Due to “poorly designed policy,” they were then legalized with a maximum stake of £100 ($130) per spin.  

reduced FOBT revenue by £750m ($972m), down 40%

The CFG successfully campaigned to reduce the maximum stake on these machines to £2 ($2.59) per spin. According to the group’s figures, this reduced FOBT revenue by £750m ($972m), down 40%. FOBT related gambling harm also reduced by 65%.

Although its campaigns do put it in opposition to the gambling industry, Webb asserts that he is not against the sector. He wants to ensure that gambling is still accesible in the UK, but with checks and regulations in place to keep gamblers safe.

Looking toward the White Paper

Now, it appears Webb is hoping for improvements in the remote gambling space. The Conservatives completed a White Paper on gambling reform, published in April 2023 and currently undergoing a consultation process. Among other measures, it includes staking limits for online slots, similar to those CFG secured for FOBTs.

On his website, Webb referred to the measures included in the White Paper as “good steps in the right direction to address the remote gambling legacy failures.” No doubt he is hoping that a generous donation will ensure that new Prime Minister Keir Starmer follows through on the work already completed by his predecessor.

Labour’s views on gambling and the progress of the White Paper have not been made completely apparent yet. However, the party manifesto confirmed that Labour intends to work with the gambling industry to “ensure responsible gambling.”

The Betting and Gaming Council, which represents the UK gambling industry, has also vowed to work with the new Labour government. The group said it will work to “deliver a world class betting and gaming industry” and is committed to delivering the proposals contained in the White Paper.