Charles Counsell OBE Appointed Interim Chair of British Gambling Commission
Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, has appointed Charles Counsell OBE as the interim chair of the British Gambling Commission. Counsell will take over from Marcus Boyle on February 1, 2025, for a nine-month term, during a pivotal time for gambling reform in the UK.
Leadership Transition at the Gambling Commission
Charles Counsell OBE will replace Marcus Boyle, whose tenure as chair concludes on January 31, 2025.
Boyle served for over three years, overseeing significant changes in the UK’s gambling legislation and regulatory framework.
His departure marks the end of a period marked by critical reforms in the sector.
Counsell’s Background in Public Service
Counsell joined the Gambling Commission as senior independent director in April 2024. Before this, he served as CEO of the Money Advice Service and The Pensions Regulator.
At the latter, he led initiatives including the development of a corporate strategy for pension savers, equality, diversity, and inclusion strategies, as well as climate change-focused projects.
According to the Gambling Commission, Counsell’s career has been defined by his ability to manage large-scale change programmes and engage with diverse stakeholders across the private and public sectors.
Focus on Continued Gambling Reform
During Counsell’s term, the Gambling Commission will continue implementing key reforms.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has announced plans to introduce a mandatory levy on gambling operators starting in April 2025. This levy aims to fund research, education, and treatment for gambling-related harm.
Additionally, the department will assess the impact of current gambling reforms, working closely with the Gambling Commission. Measures under review include affordability checks and stake limits for online slots.
The evaluation, conducted in collaboration with the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), will utilize surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gather comprehensive insights.
Stakeholder Concerns and Industry Impacts
The evaluation will also provide a platform for operators and the horseracing sector to voice their perspectives, particularly on affordability checks, which have been a point of contention.
Findings from this review could shape the future direction of gambling regulation in the UK.
Governance and Appointment Details
The chairmanship of the Gambling Commission is a remunerated position, offering £55,000 per annum.
Appointments are governed by the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments, which requires appointees to disclose any significant political activity within the past five years.
