CEO of UKGC Will Step Down in April

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced that its Chief Executive, Andrew Rhodes, will step down from his role at the end of April. 

He will take up a new position, which the commission will announce in due course.

Rhodes has held the position for five years, and his work includes leading the work to implement the Gambling Act Review, which included the introduction of financial vulnerability checks and reducing the intensity of online games. 

He has also been credited with overseeing the successful implementation of the Fourth National Lottery licence as well as transforming the commission’s approach to regulation through more robust and outcome-focused strategies. 

“It has been a privilege to lead the Gambling Commission through such an important period of change. I am proud of the progress we have made to strengthen regulation, improve consumer protections, and ensure gambling is safer and fairer. I leave with confidence in the organisation, its people, and the work still to come.”

Charles Counsell, Interim Chair of the Gambling Commission, added: “Andrew has provided outstanding leadership for nearly five years and leaves a strong legacy. He has led the Commission through major reform, strengthened our regulatory approach, and ensured consumer protection has remained at the heart of our work. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Andrew for his dedication and wish him every success in the future.”

In the coming days and weeks, the Commission will start looking for a Chief Executive for the interim period. Until then, Deputy Chief Executive Sarah Gardner will step up as Acting Chief Executive to ensure a smooth transition. 

Rhodes steadily redirected the UKGC’s consumer protection strategy towards a more outcome-oriented approach. On the other side of the Irish Sea, it is something that the Gambling Regulatory Authority Ireland (GRAI) is expected to implement in their ongoing overhaul of outdated Irish gambling legislation.