The UK Gambling Commission is beginning the search for a successor to chief executive Andrew Rhodes, according to a report. The report examines Rhodes’ record and the challenges facing the next chief executive.
The appointment will determine the leadership of the UK gambling regulator.
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The UK Gambling Commission will begin an AI-based review of online gambling advertising on 11 June, reportedly working with social media platforms. The Committee of Advertising Practice said operators must promptly amend or remove adverts that breach rules protecting under-18s; further sanctions or referral to the Commission may follow non-compliance.
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.
Iain Duncan Smith and Dawn Butler wrote to the Gambling Commission to question Phil Walker’s suitability as Allwyn UK’s interim chief executive, the report said. Walker is due to take up the role on 7 September, replacing Andria Vidler; Allwyn said it has begun searching for a permanent CEO.
Tim Miller is to step down as the Gambling Commission’s executive director for policy and enforcement in September, after 10 years at the regulator. The Commission said he will take a role outside the British regulated gambling industry, supporting gambling regulatory systems internationally.
The UKGC said on 17 August 2022 that Entain would pay £17m to settle safer gambling and anti-money laundering breaches. The payment comprises £14m for LC International and £3m for Ladbrokes Betting & Gaming. Additional licence conditions require board oversight of improvements and an independent compliance audit within 12 months.
The UKGC announced on 17 August 2022 that Entain Group would hand over £17m in a regulatory settlement covering social responsibility and anti-money laundering shortcomings in both its online and land-based operations. Of that total, £14m relates to LC International Limited, the online arm behind 13 websites such as ladbrokes.com, coral.co.uk and foxybingo.com. The remaining £3m concerns Ladbrokes & Gaming Limited, which operates 2,746 betting premises across Britain.