Lisa Nandy has made a key appointment in the UK gambling sector, entrusting Ruth Evans with the role of Chair of the Gambling Commission.

Evans, appointed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), becomes the Commission’s first permanent Chair in nearly two years.

It ticks off one of the three key appointments needed at the regulator, which, before this appointment, had no permanent Chair, Chief Executive Officer or Executive Director. 

Charles Counsell had been serving in the role of Chair on an interim basis following the departure of Marcus Boyle back in January 2025.

Over 18 months later, the regulator has a replacement, who will join on 30 September for a five-year term. 

“I am pleased to announce Ruth Evans as the incoming chair of the Gambling Commission,” said Nandy. 

“She becomes Chair at this incredibly important time, supporting a sustainable, thriving industry with the essential protections needed to prevent harm.”

Evans becomes the first female Chair of the regulator since it assumed full responsibility for the sector in 2007. 

She has an esteemed career in several public and private sector roles, though none have been in the gambling industry.

The new Chair of the Commission is best-known for her work founding and chairing Stop Scams UK. She also spent four years at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) between 2015 and 2019, and chaired the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) from 2016-2019.

“With a career spanning over four decades, she has held high-profile leadership positions across charities, public regulatory bodies, and financial oversight boards, consistently focusing on public protection, consumer rights, and institutional accountability,” a UK government statement read.

Tough times for the UK and the Commission

Evans enters the role with the UK’s betting industry still navigating a challenging period. 

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has vowed to clamp down on betting shops on the high street, and the increase in Remote Gaming Duty from 21%-40% is already impacting the bottom lines of operators in the UK, despite only being implemented five months ago. 

A further tax increase – General Betting Duty rising from 15%-25% – is set to come in next April, leaving bookmakers on these shores feeling the pressure even more. 

Coupled with the reported rise in activity on black market sites, the picture painted is not a pretty one for those working within the sector. 

Evans will also be overseeing a regulator which has come under heavy scrutiny for its approach to responsible gaming. 

Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs), which the Commission has now laid out a plan for, have been criticised by a range of industry stakeholders, as well as the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee and politicians including Nigel Farage. 

There have also been examples of criticism for the Commission’s employees lacking experience within the sector, notably from champion racehorse trainer John Gosden. 

Despite this backdrop, Evans appears to be positive heading into the role. 

“I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of the Gambling Commission at a time when its role in keeping gambling fair, safe and crime-free is more important than ever,” she said.

“Throughout my career in consumer protection, I have seen that the best outcomes are achieved through effective collaboration between regulators, industry and the technology sector.”

“I look forward to working with the Commission to encourage online safety for UK citizens that strengthen consumer protections while supporting a responsible, innovative and sustainable gambling sector. 

“By combining proportionate regulation with partnership and shared responsibility, we can build greater public confidence and create lasting benefits for consumers and the wider economy.”

As stated above, the Commission is still on the hunt for a permanent CEO and Executive Director following the departures of Andrew Rhodes and Tim Miller.