TLDR
- Andrew Rhodes has left his role as CEO of the UK Gambling Commission after nearly five years, announcing his departure on LinkedIn on April 30.
- His tenure was defined by the push for affordability checks on gamblers, which faced strong opposition from bookmakers, horse racing bodies, and politicians.
- Rhodes oversaw new online slot stake caps of £5 for over-25s and £2 for 18-to-24-year-olds, along with bans on autoplay features.
- He managed the first-ever transfer of the National Lottery license, moving it from Camelot to Allwyn in February 2024.
- Rhodes leaves as the industry faces a Remote Gaming Duty increase from 21% to 40%, with bookmakers warning of shop closures and job losses.
Andrew Rhodes has stepped down as chief executive of the UK Gambling Commission after nearly five years in the role. He announced his departure in a LinkedIn post on April 30, joking that he could finally play the National Lottery again.
Rhodes took over the UKGC in June 2021 during a period of crisis. His predecessor, Neil McArthur, had resigned under pressure following the collapse of Football Index, a licensed product that left customers unable to access an estimated £100 million in funds.
He initially joined on an interim basis. Rhodes has said the original phone call was to ask him for suggestions on who might want the job before he decided to take it himself.
Rhodes had no professional background in the gambling industry. He came from the senior civil service, having held roles in Whitehall and served as COO of the Food Standards Agency.
The Fight Over Affordability Checks
The biggest battle of his time at the UKGC was over affordability checks. The idea was for operators to step in when someone gambles at a level that could cause financial harm.
The government’s White Paper, published in April 2023, proposed financial risk checks using credit reference agency data. More intrusive checks would apply to higher-spending customers.
The gambling industry pushed back hard. Bookmakers and horse racing bodies warned the checks could cost racing £250 million over five years.
Rhodes did not back down. He called the plan a “system of proportionate checks” and said 80% of them would be frictionless using credit data.
He went further, accusing certain groups of spreading what he called “deliberate misinformation” designed to block the reforms.
A pilot of the checks launched in August 2024 for customers depositing £500 or more per month. A lower threshold was introduced in early 2025.
The pilot ended in early 2026. The UKGC is still deciding whether to officially roll out the checks.
New Rules for Online Gambling and the National Lottery
Beyond affordability checks, Rhodes brought in new rules for online gambling. A £5 stake limit on online slots was introduced for players aged 25 and older, with a £2 limit for those aged 18 to 24.
Bans on autoplay functions and other game mechanics deemed to speed up play or create a false sense of control were also put in place.
Rhodes also oversaw the transfer of the National Lottery license from Camelot to Allwyn. Allwyn began running the lottery in February 2024, marking the first change in lottery operator in 30 years.
The handover was completed without the operational problems that some critics had predicted.
Rhodes leaves the UKGC at a difficult time for the industry. Remote Gaming Duty on online casinos jumped from 21% to 40% last month.
Online sports betting taxes are set to increase in 2027. The Betting and Gaming Council has warned of thousands of job losses.
Major bookmakers including Betfred and William Hill have said hundreds of high street betting shops may need to close.
Some operators argue that tighter regulation combined with higher taxes will push more gamblers toward unlicensed sites. Rhodes consistently maintained the black market was not a serious problem during his tenure.
Rhodes is moving into a consulting role at a gambling-focused law firm.
