The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has appointed Marcus Boyle to the position of Chair of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
Announcing the appointment, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden confirmed that Boyle will be in charge of the gambling regulator for at least the next five years.
Boyle joins the Commission at a key time as it oversees the competition for the fourth National Lottery licence entering its final phase.
The tender comprises current incumbents Camelot, Italy’s SISAL, India’s Sugal & Damani and Czech Republic’s SAZKA Group, under the UK identity Allwyn.
Boyle joins the Commission with extensive change management experience across both public and private sector bodies.
Dowden commented: “This is an important moment for the Gambling Commission as we fulfill our manifesto commitment to undertake the first major review of gambling laws in 15 years.
“New leadership will bring a new direction and focus for the Commission and I very much look forward to working with Marcus.
“His expertise will be invaluable as he steers the Commission into a new era of gambling regulation fit for the digital age.”
The appointment comes against a backdrop of accusations from DCMS Committee leader Julian Knight MP that the Commission is severely interfering with the Government inquiry into its role managing the National Lottery.
The DCMS said in a statement: “The government is considering the role and resources of the Gambling Commission as part of its Gambling Act Review, a manifesto commitment, which will consider the need to balance the enjoyment people get from gambling with the right regulatory framework and protections.”
The Department added that Boyle’s appointment will add ‘fresh impetus’ ahead of the review, using his vast management experience to ‘drive change based on his robust governance capabilities.’