Britain’s Gambling Commission will begin the process of recruiting a new chief executive to replace Andrew Rhodes, who is leaving the gambling regulator at the end of April.
Rhodes has served as CEO since June 2021 and will leave the Commission to take up a new role, which will be announced in due course.
The regulator said that Rhodes had provided outstanding leadership for almost five years and had overseen a transformation of the Commission and how it regulates the gambling Industry.
“Andrew has led the work required from the Commission to implement the Gambling Act Review, with a strong focus on consumer safeguards,” said the Commission. “This has included the introduction of financial vulnerability checks, reducing the intensity of online games, and banning potentially harmful marketing offers.
“He has also overseen the introduction of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, now one of the largest surveys of gambling behaviour in the world.”
Among his other achievements, Rhodes oversaw the successful implementation of the Fourth National Lottery licence, which was awarded to Allwyn, and led the Commission through the most significant overhaul of UK gambling laws in nearly 20 years, following the government’s 2023 White Paper.
“It has been a privilege to lead the Gambling Commission through such an important period of change,” said Rhodes. “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, said: “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.”
The Commission will soon begin the process of recruiting a new CEO for an interim period, with deputy CEO Sarah Gardner stepping up as acting CEO to cover the transitional period.