Andrew Rhodes will step down as chief executive of the UK Gambling Commission on April 30.
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced that chief executive Andrew Rhodes will step down, with April 30 set as his final day. The regulator said in a Feb. 9 statement that Rhodes’ next role will be revealed “in due course.” Rhodes joined the Commission as interim chief executive in June 2019 and secured the permanent position the following year.
Reflecting on his tenure, he said it was a “privilege” to lead the regulator through “such an important period of change.” In a LinkedIn post, he added that his time at the UKGC had “never, ever been dull.” UKGC Interim Chair Charles Counsell praised Rhodes for providing “outstanding leadership” and said he leaves behind a “strong legacy.”
The UKGC will soon begin its search for an interim chief executive. Until then, Deputy Chief Executive Sarah Gardner will step into the role.
In Charge During a Period of Major Change
Rhodes’ tenure coincided with the most sweeping overhaul of the UK’s gambling regulations in years. The Gambling Act Review white paper, published in April 2023, introduced sweeping reforms.
These included strict affordability assessments, a £5 ($6.84) online slot stake limit for players aged 24+, a £2 ($2.73) cap on online slot stakes for players aged 18-24, and tighter rules around welcome offers.
Affordability checks proved especially controversial. Many in the horse racing industry warned that these measures could harm the industry. They argued that strict checks would reduce betting activity and push customers toward black market sites.
The UKGC also highlighted Rhodes’s role in launching the Gambling Survey for Great Britain. This national study was designed to better understand gambling behaviour. The first results were published in 2024.
Other significant developments under Rhodes included the introduction of a mandatory gambling levy and the rollout of the fourth National Lottery licence, with Allwyn taking over from Camelot in February 2024.
During this period, the UKGC also issued several major fines, including a record £19.2 million ($26.2 million) penalty against William Hill in March 2023 for “widespread and alarming” failures in social responsibility and anti-money laundering controls.
A Pivotal Time for the UK’s Gambling Sector
Rhodes exits at a critical moment for the UK gambling industry, as operators prepare for significant tax increases. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the changes in November.
Remote Betting Duty on lucky cola casino operators will rise from 21% to 40% in April. Online sports betting duty will increase from 15% to 25% in April 2027, excluding horse racing.
Some operators have already exited the market. Retail operators warn they may be forced to close high-street betting shops. Betfred co-founder and chairman Fred Done said all 1,300 Betfred locations could face closure. Evoke also warned that up to 200 William Hill stores could be threatened.
Industry leaders believe the tax rises will push more customers toward black market gambling sites. The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has warned that thousands of jobs and significant economic activity now hang in the balance.
In a November 2025 speech, Rhodes said consumer protection against black-market operators would remain a top priority heading into 2026. Over the past financial year, the Commission sent 480 cease-and-desist notices, disrupted or geo-blocked 504 sites, and removed more than 104,000 URLs.
As operators confront tighter regulation, higher taxes, and growing black-market risks, Rhodes’ departure leaves the Commission’s next leadership facing one of the sector’s most challenging periods.
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