BGC chief executive Grainne Hurst said the UK budget’s exemption for horse racing from the higher General Betting Duty was only cosmetic. She argued that the increase in Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 40% could affect racing because betting operators fund sponsorships, media rights and the Horserace Betting Levy.
The tax changes could affect betting-funded sponsorship, media rights and levy income on which racing depends.
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The Betting and Gaming Council criticised the UK Gambling Commission’s planned financial risk assessments for higher-spending customers. Chief executive Grainne Hurst said questions remain about data reliability, consumer effects and how the checks will work, and argued that the Commission has not published a full evaluation of its pilot. The Commission has announced working groups to support implementation, according to the report.
UK racing stakeholders have criticised the UK Gambling Commission's confirmation that Financial Risk Assessments remain on track for implementation. Responses followed the Commission's announcement a day earlier, with some stakeholders apparently unaware it had moved on from affordability checks.
Sarah Gardner, acting chief executive of the Gambling Commission, spoke at its CEO Briefing on 5 November, according to the Commission. She said the regulator would continue engagement with the sector and discussed work on the Gambling Act Review, the National Lottery and illegal gambling. Gardner also acknowledged that the previous week’s Budget had introduced changes affecting parts of the sector.
Acting Chief Executive Sarah Gardner gave the speech at the CEO Briefing on 5 November 2026. She addressed the audience as Acting Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission. The published text is a draft version, so the words actually spoken may vary a little.
The UK Gambling Commission is seeking a chief executive after Andrew Rhodes left in April, with applications due by 23 October, according to the recruitment notice. The role pays £190,000 a year and requires the successful candidate to lead the Illegal Markets programme, deliver a return on HM Treasury’s three-year investment from 2026/27, and oversee domestic reforms and National Lottery regulation.
Reportedly, UK Tote Group has named James Coxon as its next chief executive. He will replace chief executive Alex Frost, who steps down at the end of 2026. Frost will serve as an executive director in 2027 before becoming a non-executive director.
James Coxon is to become the next chief executive officer of the UK Tote Group. He takes over from Alex Frost, whose departure comes at the close of this year. Frost is to remain involved with the business as an executive director during 2027, after which he will move into a non-executive director post.