UKGC CEO Neil McArthur announces resignation

UKGC CEO Neil McArthur announces resignation

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UKGC CEO Neil McArthur announces resignation

The UK Gambling Commission has announced to its stakeholders the official resignation of Neil McArthur from his position as Chief Executive of the UKGC. The former executive has decided to leave the Commission after spending 15 years with it, as he joined back in 2006 in the role of a legal advisor and ended up as Chief Executive in 2018 in the place of Sarah Harrison (MBE).

In his career as Chief Executive for the Commission, he was in charge of supervising the imposing of many new initiatives which regarded dealing with some problems and harmful issues related to gambling. Some of the most widespread policies that were implemented during his time were the banning of the use of credit cards to pay for bets, as well as some new and improved age verification products.

McArthur commented on the news and stated:

“I am proud of everything the Gambling Commission has achieved during my 15 years with the organisation. We have taken significant steps forward to make gambling fairer and safer and I know that I leave the organisation in a strong position to meet its future challenges. With a review of the Gambling Act underway now feels the right time to step away and allow a new Chief Executive to lead the Commission on the next stage in its journey.”

Aside from that, he also had a major role in the release of the Commission’s Lived Experience Advisory Panel, which provided a bigger platform to those who had been severely affected by problem gambling in the United Kingdom.

In the end, McArthur was the one to organize the UKGC’s operations via two significant times of change, since the betting scene started to grow and change and come face to face with a rapidly growing digitized marketspace, as well as dealing with the major issues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bill Moyes, UKGC Chairman, who will also be leaving this year, mentioned in a statement:

“On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Neil for his many years of commitment and service to the Gambling Commission. A lot has been achieved during his time here and Neil can rightly feel proud of the organisation’s progress during his tenure as Chief Executive.”

McArthur was heavily criticised by many UK MPs since he would support the ‘collaborative frameworks’ of the UKGC’s ‘National Strategy’ when it came down to regulating the UK gambling scene, and keeping the balance of the commercial scene as well as the social responsibilities.

After the resignation, the Commission will now be looking for a new replacement for a temporary filling of the role, and Moyes’ successor will be allowed to select a permanent Chief Executive. For the time being, Sarah Gardner, Deputy Chief Executive, and Chief Operating Officer Sally Jones will be serving together in the role of Acting Chief Executive.

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