The UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has appointed Marcus Boyle to chair the Gambling Commission.
Boyle will now replace former Gambling Commission chair, Bill Moyles.
The Commission’s new chair
Boyle will now begin a five-year term as chair for the British gambling regulator from 5 September, after Moyes’ term as chair, which began in 207, now comes to an end.
Boyle has a background in finance and has served as an equity partner for two global professional services businesses. Most recently, Boyle served as a board member as well as chief strategy officer and chief operating officer of Deloitte.
The Commission’s new chair also chairs the British American Drama Academy. The government has described Boyle as having extensive change management experience across the public and private sectors.
Dowden described the appointment as an important moment for the gambling regulator.
In a statement, Dowden said: “New leadership will bring a new direction and focus for the Commission and I very much look forward to working with Marcus.
“His expertise will be invaluable as he steers the Commission into a new era of gambling regulation fit for the digital age.”
The Betting and Gaming Council has welcomed Boyle into the new role, with chair Brigid Simmonds congratulating him.
Simmonds said: “I would like to congratulate Marcus Boyle and warmly welcome him to his new role.
“As part of our continued commitment to ever higher standards on safer gambling, the BGC will continue to work with the Gambling Commission, as well as with the Government on their evidence-led Gambling Review.
“I would also like to thank Marcus’s predecessor Bill Moyes for working with us over the last two years and wish him well for the future.”
Boyle takes on the role as the government is carrying out its review of the 2005 Gambling Act.
The Gambling Act review
In December, the UK’s Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden announced that the UK government would be carrying out its review of the 2005 Gambling Act.
The government launched a call for evidence where it will look at the role of the Gambling Commission, online restrictions, and marketing to examine how the industry has changed over the last 15 years.
The government will also explore the protections available to online gamblers such as stake and deposit limits, promotional offers, and whether extra protections are needed for young adults.
A white paper containing a series of regulatory reforms is expected to be published by the end of 2021.
Commission still looking for chief executive
The appointment of a new chair also comes as the Commission searches for a permanent chief executive, following the snap resignation of the Commission’s former chief executive Neil McArthur in March.
In June, the Commission brought in Andrew Rhodes, who previously worked for the Department of Work and Pensions and DVLA, as an interim chief executive on an 18-month contract.
In early August, Rhodes took to Twitter where he defended the regulatory body against criticism that it remained silent during the administration of Football Index.