Chief Executive & Commissioner
Gambling Commission
Andrew Rhodes currently serves as the CEO and Commissioner of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), a role he has held since June 2021. Known for his background in high-stakes public sector operations, Andrew is the architect of the UK Gambling Commission’s modernization during the most transformative period in British gambling history.
Andrew’s tenure at the UK Gambling Commission has been defined by the Gambling Act Review White Paper.
Since being confirmed as the permanent CEO in May 2022, he has been the primary statutory advisor to the UK Government, translating policy into enforceable regulation. Under his leadership, the Commission triggered historic consultations on the online gambling landscape, introducing Financial Vulnerability Checks and measures to reduce the intensity of online products to protect vulnerable players.
In February 2026, the UK Gambling Commission announced that Andrew Rhodes would be stepping down as CEO on April 30, 2026, to take up a new role. His departure marks the end of nearly five years of leadership during which the Fourth National Lottery Licence was successfully awarded to Allwyn.
Andrew was instrumental in introducing the Incentive Mechanism, a structural change ensuring that Allwyn’s profits are inextricably linked to the Returns to Good Causes fund.
One of his most significant technical legacies is the launch of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB). Released in 2024 and expanded throughout 2025, this project replaced legacy surveys with a more robust, data-driven methodology that now serves as one of the largest global studies of gambling behavior.
Andrew also significantly ramped up enforcement, overseeing a 300% increase in criminal cases against illegal operators and collaborating with global partners to disrupt black market traffic through geo-blocking and financial “upstream” interventions.
Throughout his diverse career in public service and regulation, Andrew has been recognized for marketing innovation, leadership, and operational excellence:
Andrew’s career is a testament to rapid ascent in the British public sector, characterized by managing some of the government’s most complex operational arms.
He began his professional life in the private sector at NTL as a contact center team leader in 2000, followed by a brief stint as a management consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
However, it was his transition to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in 2005 that defined his trajectory. At the DVLA, Andrew became the Director of Products and Services, where he led the development of what became one of the largest online services in the UK, winning international awards for marketing strategy and digital innovation.
In 2010, Andrew joined the Food Standards Agency (FSA) as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). He arrived at a critical juncture following the merger with the Meat Hygiene Service, taking responsibility for all of the UK’s food safety controls.
His expertise in auditing and risk management was further recognized in 2013 when he was appointed as an Independent Member of the RAF Air Command Audit Committee, a Non-Executive role reporting directly to the Chief of the Air Staff until 2020.
His most expansive civil service role came in 2015 when he joined the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Initially serving as a Benefits Services Director, he was promoted within a year to Director General of Operations. In this capacity, Andrew led a workforce of 72,000 civil servants and oversaw the delivery of pensions and benefits totaling over £170 billion annually—approximately 11% of the UK’s GDP.
In April 2018, Andrew moved into higher education as the Registrar and COO at Swansea University. Over three years, he oversaw all commercial and professional services, acting as the final authority on governance and ethical issues. While in this role, he also maintained deep ties to his community, becoming the Chair of the Swansea City AFC Foundation in August 2021. He remains in this position today, guiding the charitable arm of Swansea City AFC in its mission to support youth in deprived areas and improve mental health.
Andrew Rhodes is known for his direct and evidence-led communication style. During the Betting and Gaming Council’s AGM in 2024, he addressed the industry’s concerns regarding the evolving regulatory landscape. Discussing the need for a mature relationship between the regulator and the licensed sector, he stated:
Building a relationship with the industry doesn’t mean we always agree. It means having a dialogue-based on facts. We see constant change, from artificial intelligence to hyper-personalization. Our job is to balance the risks of serving meaningful content with protecting children and the vulnerable. If you are in the legitimate market, you should feel that we are addressing the challenge of the illegal market because you play by the rules.
Andrew Rhodes
Reflecting on his departure in February 2026, Andrew remarked:
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 in strengthening regulation, improving consumer protections, and ensuring gambling is safer and fairer. I leave with confidence in the organization and the work still to come.
Andrew Rhodes
A: Andrew is a former senior British civil servant and the current CEO of the UK Gambling Commission. He has held top roles at the DWP, FSA, and Swansea University. He is currently serving his final term as CEO, with his departure set for April 2026.
A: It was officially announced on February 9, 2026, that Andrew will step down as CEO on April 30, 2026.
A: It is the charitable arm of Swansea City Association Football Club. Andrew Rhodes has served as the Chair since August 2021, overseeing outreach programs for sports, health, and education in South Wales.
A: Andrew oversaw the high-profile competition and transition of the National Lottery licence to Allwyn. He introduced the Incentive Mechanism to ensure lottery profits benefit good causes equally.
A: Introduced under the leadership of Andrew Rhodes, these are standardized checks designed to identify customers at high risk of financial harm from gambling without being overly intrusive to the majority of players.
