Five UK gambling priorities for the new UKGC Chief
Summary
The UK Gambling Commission faces immediate leadership change after Andrew Rhodes’ surprise departure. The incoming chief will inherit a sector under pressure from a looming tax hike, the roll-out of a mandatory RET (research, education and treatment) levy, political scrutiny of retail betting, a growing illegal market, and rising cryptocurrency use among players. The article lists five urgent priorities the new CEO must tackle to steer the industry through regulatory and financial turbulence.
Key Points
- Tax increase due in April risks shrinking the regulated market, harming smaller operators and risking job losses.
- The new RET levy and tightened affordability checks require careful implementation and clear funding distribution to charities and treatment services.
- The retail betting sector needs advocacy and regulatory support as political pressure mounts over high-street venues.
- Combatting the black market is urgent; government allocated £26m to tackle illicit operators but funds must be used strategically.
- Cryptocurrency use is growing among players; the UKGC must consider how crypto fits into the regulatory framework to avoid pushing players into the unregulated market.
Author style
Punchy: This is essential reading for anyone tracking UK gambling regulation — the next CEO will shape market survival, player protection and how the sector copes with tax, retail decline and new tech like crypto.
Why should I read this?
Short version: if you work in UK gambling (or watch it closely), this is the to-do list that will decide who survives and who doesn’t. It explains the immediate headaches for the new UKGC boss and why each one matters — no jargon, just the stuff that affects revenue, regs and players.
Context and Relevance
Why it matters: the combination of tougher tax, fresh regulatory obligations from the Gambling Act Review and shifts in player behaviour (crypto, online black market) creates a rare inflection point for the UK industry. Policy choices now will affect market competitiveness, funding for harm prevention, the future of retail betting and how effectively the regulated sector can compete with illicit operators. Stakeholders from operators to charities will be watching the new chief’s moves closely.
Source
Source: https://igamingexpert.com/features/new-ukgc-chiefs-to-do-list/