Ruth Evans Dilantik sebagai Ketua Komisi Perjudian untuk Masa Jabatan Lima Tahun

Sekretaris Negara untuk Digital, Budaya, Media, dan Olahraga telah menunjuk Ruth Evans sebagai Ketua Komisi Perjudian untuk masa jabatan lima tahun mulai 30 September 2026. Departemen untuk Digital, Budaya, Media, dan Olahraga mengumumkan penunjukan pada 7 September 2026, menamakan Evans sebagai ketua yang akan datang dari regulator perjudian Inggris.

Evans bergabung dengan Komisi setelah karier yang melampaui empat dekade di bidang amal, badan regulasi publik, dan dewan pengawas keuangan, dengan fokus pada perlindungan publik, hak konsumen, dan akuntabilitas institusional. Saat ini ia menjabat sebagai Ketua Stop Scams UK, sebuah kolaborasi antara bank-bank besar, perusahaan teknologi, dan perusahaan telekomunikasi, dan baru-baru ini ditunjuk sebagai Ketua Dewan Penasihat Bantuan Hukum Kriminal.

Peran regulasi sebelumnya mencakup jabatan sebagai Ketua Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, badan yang mengatur gaji dan pengeluaran anggota parlemen. Ia merupakan Ketua pertama Bar Standards Board, menghabiskan sembilan tahun sebagai Anggota Sipil General Medical Council yang memimpin Komite Standar dan Etika, serta pernah menjabat sebagai Direktur Non-Eksekutif Serious Fraud Office.

Pada tahun 2018, Evans memimpin kelompok arahan yang menghasilkan kode industri sukarela untuk mengganti kerugian korban penipuan transfer bank Authorized Push Payment. Pemberitahuan pemerintah menggambarkannya sebagai tokoh regulasi Inggris yang terkemuka dan juara konsumen, paling dikenal saat ini karena perannya di Stop Scams UK serta kerja melawan kejahatan keuangan dan melindungi korban penipuan.

Government and Regulator Statements

DCMS Secretary of State Lisa Nandy said: “I am pleased to announce Ruth Evans as the incoming chair of the Gambling Commission. She becomes Chair at this incredibly important time, supporting a sustainable, thriving industry with the essential protections needed to prevent harm.”

Nandy also thanked Charles Counsell OBE for his leadership of the Gambling Commission since Februari 2025, describing him as a passionate and diligent Chair. Counsell has served as Interim Chair.

Evans said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of the Gambling Commission at a time when its role in keeping gambling fair, safe and crime-free is more important than ever. Throughout my career in consumer protection, I have seen that the best outcomes are achieved through effective collaboration between regulators, industry and the technology sector.”

Evans added that she looked forward to working with the Commission to encourage online safety for UK citizens, strengthen consumer protections and support what she described as a responsible, innovative and sustainable gambling sector. She said combining proportionate regulation with partnership and shared responsibility could build greater public confidence and create lasting benefits for consumers and the wider economy.

Counsell, the outgoing Interim Chair, said the Commission was delighted to welcome Evans. He said her regulatory and consumer experience would be invaluable to the Board as the Commission continues its work to make gambling safer, fairer and crime-free.

Counsell said Evans joins at an important time for the gambling sector and the Commission, citing the development of a new strategy, work to tackle illegal gambling and the completion of the Commission’s part in the implementation of the Gambling Act Review. He said her role would be pivotal in the years ahead.

Appointment Terms and Process

Under the Gambling Act 2005, the appointment of the Chair of the Gambling Commission is made by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The Act assigns the appointment power to the department rather than to the regulator itself.

Ministers were assisted in their decision making by an Advisory Assessment Panel, which included a senior departmental official and a Senior Independent Panel Member approved by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

The appointment was made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments, and the appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared, covering holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or candidature for election. The notice states that Evans has not declared any significant political activity.

The Chair of the Gambling Commission is remunerated at £85,000 per annum for a time commitment of two days per week. Evans’s five-year term begins on 30 September 2026.