The UK High Court has rejected Richard Desmond’s claims against the Gambling Commission’s decision to grant the fourth National License to Allwyn.Desmond’s The New...
Andrew Rhodes officially steps down from UKGC CEO role
On April 30, 2026, Andrew Rhodes officially stepped down from his role as Chief Executive Officer of the UK Gambling Commission after five years as head of the regulator.
He first entered the Gambling Commission back in 2021, after the former CEO, Neil McArthur, had resigned as a result of strong pressure because of the collapse of the Football Index. Rhodes was named the permanent CEO in 2022 and led the regulator through multiple gambling reforms in the UK since.
Rhodes wrote in a statement on his last day as UKGC CEO:
“Today is my last official day at the Gambling Commission, and I formally step down as CEO after a whisker under 5 years. What started as a call asking me for suggestions of people who might be interested in a really good interim role turned into the best job I’ve ever had. The last of my kit was shipped back today, and I’m now onto something new. I’m hugely grateful to everyone at the Commission for their welcome in 2021 and their support ever since. It’s often a difficult role in an environment with such strongly competing and differing views, but it is also a fascinating one, and I feel very fortunate to have had the privilege.”
Rhodes additionally thanked colleagues and stakeholders who supported and engaged with the commission, noting that despite the differences in opinion, it’s important to have multiple points of view.
Rhodes concluded:
“Amongst a variety of personal restrictions now falling away, I can finally now play the National Lottery again, having done so since its launch in 1994 right up until I started work at the Commission.”
Currently, Sarah Gardner is serving as interim CEO of the UKGC.
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has set a deadline for closing its consultation on the Destination of Regulatory Settlements on April 2, 2026, as well as noted progress in...
