The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has officially appointed Ruth Evans as the permanent Chair of the Gambling Commission (UKGC). The appointment was announced on 7 September 2026 by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. Evans will assume her duties on 30 September for a five-year term, ending a 20-month interim period following the departure of Marcus Boyle in January 2025, during which Charles Counsell served as interim Chair. Evans becomes the first female Chair to lead the regulator since it assumed statutory regulatory authority over the sector in 2007.
Evans brings over four decades of experience across consumer rights, public regulatory bodies, and financial oversight. Her previous roles include serving on the board of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) between 2015 and 2019, chairing the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), and founding Stop Scams UK. Notably, Evans has not previously worked directly within the commercial gambling industry, bringing an external regulatory perspective to the Commission.
Her appointment comes during a demanding phase for the UK betting and gaming landscape. Licensed operators are navigating substantial fiscal adjustments, including the recent rise in Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 40% and the upcoming hike in General Betting Duty from 15% to 25% scheduled for next April. Concurrently, the Commission faces ongoing industry debate regarding the implementation of Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs) and the growth of unregulated offshore activity. In her new role, Evans will be tasked with balancing consumer protection and technological innovation with the economic viability of the regulated market. The regulator is also continuing its search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director.
Source: SBC News