Andrew Rhodes steps down as CEO of UKGC

• Andrew Rhodes to step down as UK Gambling Commission CEO on April 30, 2026, after nearly five years at the helm, with a new role yet to be announced
• Rhodes led major reforms, including the White Paper Review of the Gambling Act 2025, strengthened consumer protections, and oversaw the launch of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain
• Deputy CEO Sarah Gardner to serve as Acting Chief Executive during the recruitment process for Rhodes’ successor, as the regulator enters a transitional period

Andrew Rhodes, one of the most outspoken gambling industry critics and now the outgoing CEO of the Gambling Commission in the United Kingdom, has announced that he is withdrawing from the helm of the organizaiton for a new position yet to be announced.

Gambling Commission’s boss bids the hot seat adieu

In an official statement, the regulator confirmed that Rhodes will be vacating the position on April 30, 2026, in favor of the new role. Rhodes oversaw the regulator for nearly five years, spearheading some of its boldest reforms, including the White Paper Review of the Gambling Act 2025.

Commenting on this decision, Interim Chair of the Gambling Commission, Charles Counsell:

"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. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Andrew for his dedication and wish him every success in the future."

As an outspoken industry critic, Rhodes has gone beyond blaming industry stakeholders for all the ills that originated in gambling, but at the same time, he has maintained a firm hand at the rudder, enacting enforcement against offenders, and using penalties as a way to strengthen standards industry-wide rather than an end in itself.

Under Rhodes’ mandates, the UKGC has actively strengthened consumer safeguards and communicated the need to do that to operators. Rhodes also presided over the introduction of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, which is one of the most comprehensive surveys of gambling behavior anywhere in the world.

Rhodes has also addressed the outstanding issue with gambling ads spreading on platforms such as Meta, arguing that they are poorly regulated and potentially target vulnerable consumers.

Commission to launch a new transitional period

The outgoing executive was also tasked with the recalibration of the UKGC’s reporting methodology, designed to strengthen the collation of data and provide the regulator with more actionable insights.

Commenting on his decision to step down as Chief Executive, Rhodes wrote:

"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."

The regulator will launch a process of recruiting a new Chief Executive. As Rhodes steps down gradually during the transitional period, Deputy Chief Executive Sarah Gardner will assume the role of Acting Chief Executive.

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