Oliver Dowden appoints Marcus Boyle as new Gambling Commission chair

Marcus Boyle has been appointed as the new chair of the Gambling Commission by culture secretary Oliver Dowden.

Boyle takes over the post from Bill Moyes, who was appointed in 2017. His five-year stint starts officially on Sunday.

He starts his new role ahead of the gambling review white paper, which is due before the end of the year. The government is considering the role and resources of the Gambling Commission as part of the review.

Boyle has a finance background having worked at Deloitte as a board member, chief strategy officer and chief operating officer. He is also the chair of the British American Drama Academy.

Dowden said: "This is an important moment for the Gambling Commission as we fulfil our manifesto commitment to undertake the first major review of gambling laws in 15 years.

“New leadership will bring a new direction and focus for the commission and I very much look forward to working with Marcus.

“His expertise will be invaluable as he steers the Commission into a new era of gambling regulation fit for the digital age.”

Betting and Gaming Council chair Brigid Simmonds was among those to congratulate Boyle publicly on his new appointment.

She said: “As part of our continued commitment to ever higher standards on safer gambling, the BGC will continue to work with the Gambling Commission, as well as with the government on their evidence-led gambling review.

“I'd also like to thank Marcus’s predecessor Bill Moyes for working with us over the last two years and wish him well for the future.”

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