UKGC chairman appointed

The UKGC can move forward with its 2005 Gambling Act reform after the new UKGC chairperson Marcus Boyle is nominated to spearhead the move. (Photo by Photo by Heidi Fin on Unsplash)

Oliver Dowden, the current UK Culture Secretary, announced on Thursday that Marcus Boyle is set to become the new UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) chairperson, taking over from the recently departed Bill Moyes. The former Deloitte executive will lead for a term of five years, beginning September 5.

After much speculation following a recent report by the Sunday Times, Boyle will join the UKGC and, in doing so, he brings a wealth of valuable experience and intuition in managing public and private global organisations. The UK government has been reviewing the commission’s role as a component in their 2005 Gambling Act overhaul, with a primary focus of striking the right balance of the pleasure individuals get from gambling with more monitoring of players welfare and tighter security systems and regulations to be implemented in the future.

Boyle has been a valued accomplice for two worldwide administration firms, including Deloitte, where he filled in as Board Member, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Operating Officer, as well as Chair of the British American Drama Academy. Dowden, commented on Boyle’s appointment, and expressed that this shall be a significant change for the UK Gambling Commission as a whole, with an overall review of the Gambling Act of 2005 taking place “for the first time in 15 years”. He was excited by the appointment, concluding that new leadership shall bring a fresh approach to the organisation, adding that he looked forward to working alongside Boyle. He spoke positively on the prospect that the responsibilities of the commission shall be met and that under Boyle it will remain fit to regulate UK gambling into the foreseeable future. 

Marcus Boyle takes over from Bill Moyes, who was named in 2017, as the new UKGC chairperson. This comes just as the UK government’s review of the 2005 Gambling Act is in process, with a white paper detailing a number of regulatory assessments and reforms which are to be implemented by the end of this year. The role is undoubtedly going to be a tough ride for Boyle, with the regulator coming under constant scrutiny for its failed efforts in ensuring responsible gambling is paramount for players and concerns have arisen with some suggesting that the role needed filling by a more suitable candidate, one who has far broader knowledge of the gambling and manage industry. The Commission is also actively recruiting for a new permanent CEO, with Neil McArthur standing down from his position in March this year. Andrew Rhodes, who was employed in the Department of Work and Pensions and DVLA, was designated as an interim solution on an 18-month contract in June.

The new UKGC chairperson role is undoubtedly going to be a tough ride for Boyle, with the regulator coming under constant scrutiny for its failed efforts in ensuring responsible gambling is paramount for players and concerns have arisen with some suggesting that the role needed filling by a more suitable candidate who has more knowledge of the gambling and iGaming industry.

In the UK, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is the active regulatory body for UK online casinos, online sports books, and retail sports betting as well as land-based gambling such as casinos as well as slot shops and electronic gambling machine establishments. It is recognised as one of the world’s strictest gambling authorities and also one of the most expensive – many gambling establishments still foot the hefty fees simply because the UK gambling market is the largest in Europe.

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