Fraud specialist Ruth Evans appointed Gambling Commission chair

Ruth Evans has been appointed chair of the Gambling Commission as the regulator prepares to intensify its work against illegal gambling and implement the remaining reforms arising from the Gambling Act review.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport confirmed that Evans will begin a five-year term on 30 September 2026. The position involves a time commitment of two days per week and carries annual remuneration of £85,000.

Evans will succeed Charles Counsell. Counsell has served as interim chair since February 2025 following Marcus Boyle’s departure the previous month.

Fraud prevention experience brought to regulator

Evans currently chairs Stop Scams UK, which brings together banks, technology businesses and telecommunications companies to address fraud affecting UK consumers.

She previously led the steering group responsible for developing a voluntary industry code under which victims of authorised push payment scams could be reimbursed. The code was introduced in 2018.

Her wider regulatory experience includes serving as chair of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority and the Bar Standards Board. Evans has also been a lay member of the General Medical Council and a non-executive director of the Serious Fraud Office.

That background may prove particularly relevant as gambling increasingly overlaps with digital payments, identity verification and online financial crime. Cooperation between regulators, operators, payment providers and technology platforms has also become an important part of efforts to disrupt unlicensed gambling websites.

Evans promises collaborative approach

Evans said the Commission’s responsibility for keeping gambling fair, safe and free from crime was “more important than ever”.

She indicated that collaboration would form a central part of her approach, with regulators, gambling businesses and technology companies sharing responsibility for improving online safety and consumer protection.

"By combining proportionate regulation with partnership and shared responsibility, we can build greater public confidence." - Ruth Evans

DCMS Secretary of State Lisa Nandy said Evans was joining at an important point for the industry, as the Commission seeks to support a sustainable regulated market while maintaining protections against gambling-related harm.

New strategy and illegal gambling among priorities

Counsell said the incoming chair would play an important role as the Gambling Commission develops its next strategy, increases its work against illegal gambling and completes its responsibilities under the Gambling Act review.

The appointment forms part of a broader period of leadership change at the regulator. Executive director of policy and research Tim Miller is also leaving the Commission in September after ten years. He oversaw several major regulatory reforms and the development of its research framework.