Merkur Casino taps former UKGC insider as Head of Compliance

• Experienced public sector veteran is joining to help spearhead MERKUR Casino UK’s compliance policy
• Dan Whitlam has worked at both the Gambling Commission and GamCare, garnering unique and extensive insight into compliance operations
• Whitlam has been welcomed by MERKUR Casino UK’s top brass and entrusted with further developing the company’s compliance strategy

Dan Whitlam, a former Gambling Commission and GamCare insider, has joined MERKUR Casino UK as Head of Compliance. Whitlam will step into the position on September 28, 2026, and report directly to Chief Financial Officer Egemen Coskun.

Whitlam will help provide strategic leadership and independent oversight across regulatory compliance, safer gambling, player protection, AML and financial crime prevention, as well as data protection and governance, as announced in the official press release commenting on the executive’s appointment.

Commenting on Whitlam’s appointment, Schertle had this to add:

"This is part of the company’s succession planning ahead of Amanda Kiernan’s retirement in April 2027. The timing provides for a structured handover and continuity within this important function," praising Whitlam’s extensive compliance experience.

MERKUR Casino UK’s Chief Financial Officer, Egemen Coskun, also welcomed the new appointment, arguing that Whitlam will assist the company in further developing its compliance strategy and prioritizing crucial areas as the regulatory requirements continue to evolve and shift.

Coskun added that the appointment also represented proof of the company’s strong commitment to independent oversight as well as maintaining high standards when it comes to protecting vulnerable consumers and embedding current regulatory mandates.

Whitlam was himself excited to be working with MERKUR Casino UK, arguing that the business was already in a good place in terms of compliance culture, and that he was himself looking to only contribute to this.

"I want to combine the insight I gained from my time at the Gambling Commission and GamCare, with my previous operational and player protection experience, to help MERKUR continue to develop a compliance framework that is robust, proportionate and practical," Whitlam noted.

Whitlam argued that the best compliance functions had to do with identifying risk early, helping businesses find solutions and enabling sustainable growth that focuses on high standards of player protection as well.

Image credit: Unsplash.com