Andrew Rhodes Leaves “Difficult” Gambling Commission CEO Role

Andrew Rhodes has officially stepped down from the position of CEO of the Gambling Commission, leaving what he calls a “difficult role” in an environment with “competing views.”

Rhodes had been at the helm of the British regulator since June 2021, joining as Interim Chief Executive for a planned 18-month period before taking up the role permanently in June 2022.

During his tenure, Rhodes oversaw the implementation of the government’s 2023 Gambling White Paper; one of the most significant publications in the history of gambling in the UK, which set out more than 60 proposals to update the country’s gambling laws.

Among the terms recommended were affordability checks, in an attempt to protect players spending a certain amount within a certain timeframe, improved identification checks, a statutory levy, and a cap on the maximum stakes on online slots at £5 for older adults and £2 for younger adults.

Rhodes’ replacement will be tasked with overseeing a difficult time for operators with increased online taxes. From the start of April, remote gaming duty, paid on online casino bets, increased from 21% of gross gaming yield (GGY) to 40%. In addition, general betting duty, paid on online sports bets, will rise from 15% of GGY to 25% in April 2027; bets on horseracing will be exempt from this.

Rhodes’ goodbye

Rhodes, whose departure from the Commission was announced in February, posted on his LinkedIn profile:

“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.

“I am also thankful for the support and engagement of so many different stakeholders during the last five years – people have not always agreed with one another but it’s so important to have that rich variety of views.”

Rhodes coy over new role

In March, reports suggested Rhodes is close to joining a gambling law firm’s new consultancy. Rhodes was said to have been in talks with new advisory firm Hawkbridge; the launch of which was announced by gambling law specialists Harris Hagan. Harris Hagan said Hawkbridge will be an independent strategic advisory firm for the gambling sector.

A spokesperson was quoted by Sky News as saying at the time:

"Andrew has told us he is going to work within the wider sector and has been open with us about his plans. Andrew has stepped back from any duties which might present risks of a conflict of interest. These will be covered by Sarah Gardner, Deputy Chief Executive and other members of the Commission’s executive team."

The spokesperson also said Rhodes would be "bound by confidentiality obligations and post-employment restrictions, including limits on the use of confidential information.” Rhodes did not reveal what his next role would be, but hinted it will not be similar to his position at the Commission.

He wrote:

“I wish all of my now former colleagues at the Commission nothing but the very best and after some 25 years in the public sector, it will be nice to do something completely different.”

What happens in the interim?

The Commission is in the process of appointing an interim chief executive, with the process being overseen by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Gardner has moved into the role of Acting Chief Executive during the transitional period.