The Gambling Commission has confirmed Andrew Rhodes as permanent CEO after he was appointed to the top job on an interim basis last year.

Rhodes’ original appointment came in June 2021, when he took over from Neil McArthur following the latter’s sudden resignation amid the Football Index saga. Since then, Rhodes has overseen major developments in the UK gambling industry.

On his watch, the Commission selected Allwyn as its preferred candidate for the Fourth National Lottery Licence, replacing the incumbent Camelot which had held the responsibility for nearly three decades.

Rhodes has further led the Commission during the UK Government’s review of the 2005 Gambling Act, for which a white paper is soon expected to be published.

The Welsh executive is a veteran of public service, having held positions at various government agencies for large parts of his career.

These include the Department for Work and Pensions, where Rhodes served as Director General for Operations between 2016 and 2018, and the Food Standards Agency (FSA), where he served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) between 2010 and 2015.

Rhodes further served as Director of Products and Services at the DVLA from 2005 to 2010, and was Registrar and COO for his alma mater, Swansea University, between 2018 and 2021.

“Andrew will continue to work closely with Chair Marcus Boyle, the Board of Commissioners and the Commission’s senior leadership team to ensure Great Britain’s gambling industry is regulated strongly and effectively,” stated the Commission.

“He will also continue his stakeholder engagement programme with consumers, industry, parliamentarians and those with lived experience.”