In preparation for 2006, the UK Gambling Commission has recently made several senior appointments. The new Commission, which was set up to manage the duties of its predecessor the Gaming Board, will also be tasked with regulating betting and remote gambling, along with issuing licenses to gambling operators and overseeing new codes of conduct and fair practice. The Commission has been awarded significant legal rights by the UK government, and the organization’s new appointments reflect its commitment to providing safe and responsible online gambling in Britain.

Following the appointment of Phillip Brear as Director of Operations last October, Bill Butler will join the Commission as Director of Corporate Services. Butler’s responsibility will include overseeing the Human Resources, Finance and IT departments.

The incumbent of a new role known as Head of Enforcement will be tasked with establishing a team to address issues of illegal gambling. Andrew Lyman, currently a solicitor with the Financial Services Authority’s Enforcement Division, will join the Commission early in 2006.

Further Gambling Commission appointments include Lynn Duffill, the new head of Human Resources, who will be responsible for boosting staff levels to 250 across the UK. Hazel Canter begins her role as Director of Licensing and Compliance with the Commission in January. Canter’s team will ensure gambling operators adhere to regulations outlined in the Gambling Act 2005 and will be responsible for the licensing of all UK operators.

The Gambling Commission’s chief executive Jenny Williams stated that 2006 is an exciting time for the organization, and added that goals for the New Year include the development and implementation of policies under the Gambling Act 2005, the establishment of a new center situated in Birmingham, and the recruitment of professional staff. The Gambling Act 2005 will be brought into full effect by 2007.

“Joining the Commission at the outset offers a rare opportunity to help design a major new public sector organization and play a major part in molding its culture and ethos,” Williams said. “I’m delighted to have such a strong executive team to help lead this work.”

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