Andrew Rhodes, the highly-regarded Chief Executive of the UK’s regulatory Gambling Commission (UKGC) is moving on after five-years in the top job.
Rhodes, still only 46, has “a new position lined-up” but the details have not yet been divulged.
He leaves the UKGC on April 30, with Deputy Chief Executive and long-serving Commission Member, Sarah Gardner, an experienced government civil servant, assuming the role of acting chief, while the commission begins its search for a permanent successor.
Rhodes joined the UKGC in 2021 and has overseen a challenging, if not tumultuous, period in the regulator’s 20-year history, covering the controversial Review of the 2005 Gambling Act; the rocky pathway to compliance in the digital age; affordability checks, player safeguards and the barbed criticisms of both opponents and proponents of progressive change.
Legacy
One of the high points of his tenure was overseeing the introduction of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain – a project the UKGC describes as “one of the largest surveys of gambling behaviour in the world”.
As a leader, Rhodes was not intimidated by industry backlash, holding firm under fire and some pretty intense criticism, which at times came from all corners of the industry.
Additional reforms under his watch included restructuring the voluntary levy and overseeing the recent gambling tax increase, with remote gambling duties set to rise to 40 percent this April.
And among his major achievements detailed by the UKGC was the awarding of the Fourth National Lottery licence, a decision that is still the subject of an ongoing legal challenge from Northern & Shell owner and licence bidder, former pornographer Richard Desmond.
Leadership
Paying tribute to Andrew Rhodes, UKGC Interim Chair Charles Counsell said:
“Andrew has provided outstanding leadership for nearly five-years and leaves a strong legacy.
“He guided the commission through major reform, strengthened our regulatory approach, and ensured consumer protection remained at the heart of our work.
“On behalf of the Board, I thank Andrew for his dedication and wish him every success in the future.”
Tributes
As tributes poured in on LinkedIn, Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, acknowledged Rhodes’ leadership despite frequent tensions between the industry body and the regulator during the Gambling Act Review.
“[His] professionalism, hands-on approach, and willingness to engage directly with the industry helped foster a more constructive working relationship, even where views did not always align,” noted Hurst.
For his part, Rhodes said: “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.”
Additional Reporting by Lauren Harrison
