The Betting and Gaming Council has been among those reflecting on the departure of UK Gambling Commission chief executive Andrew Rhodes, following confirmation that he will step down from the role on April 30, 2026.
Reacting to the news, Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, thanked Rhodes for his approach during a period of major change for the sector: “On behalf of the betting and gaming industry, I would like to thank Andrew for his professionalism in leading our regulator.
“His hands-on approach and willingness to engage directly with the industry helped foster a more informed and productive working relationship, even where views did not always align.
“Throughout his time in post, Andrew recognised the importance of strong consumer protections alongside the fact that around 22.5 million adults in Britain enjoy a bet each month. I wish him every success for the future.”
Rhodes leads Gambling Commission through various changes
Rhodes has led the Gambling Commission for almost five years, a stretch that oversaw the commission’s work on implementing the Gambling Act Review and the Gambling Survey for Great Britain. The work included the introduction of financial vulnerability checks, changes to reduce the intensity of online games, and a ban on certain marketing offers considered potentially harmful.
Looking back on his time in the role, Rhodes said in a press release: “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.”
Charles Counsell, Interim Chair of the Gambling Commission, also paid tribute to Rhodes’ leadership: “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.”
With Rhodes preparing to step back, the commission has confirmed it will begin the process of recruiting an interim Chief Executive. Deputy Chief Executive Sarah Gardner will step up as Acting Chief Executive, covering the areas of work Rhodes will hand over during the transition.
The leadership change is happening at a time when regulators are paying much closer attention to emerging risks, especially gambling tied to cryptocurrencies. In an October 2025 ReadWrite report, the Gambling Commission pointed out that crypto assets still raise big questions around consumer protection, transparency, and enforcement.
Featured image: Librarian 1965 via WikiCommons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Gambling Commission
