Boyle is due to leave the Gambling Commission on 31 January 2025 after more than three years as chairman. Counsell will commence his nine-month term the following day, as confirmed by the regulator on 18 December.
An experienced executive, Counsell has been senior independent director at the Gambling Commission since April 2024. He first joined the regulator in September 2023 as a non-executive director.
Prior to this, Counsell worked as CEO of the pensions regulator for four years. Earlier in his career, he also had a spell as executive director of automatic enrolment at the organisation.
During his time as CEO of the pensions regulator, Counsell developed a new corporate strategy. He also delivered its first equality, diversity and inclusion and climate change strategies.
Sandwiched in between his two spells at the pensions regulator was 18 months as CEO of the Money Advice Service.
Counsell to oversee new Gambling Act reforms
Counsell joins the Gambling Commission as it gears up for significant change. The government last month announced several new reforms as a result of the Gambling Act Review and subsequent white paper.
First, a new statutory levy on gambling profits will replace the current voluntary scheme. This rate will range from 0.1% to 1.1% of gross gambling yield (GGY), dependent on the sector, vertical and the type of gambling offered by each business.
The government is hoping to raise an additional £100 million (€121 million/$126 million). Operators can expect the new statutory levy to come into effect from some point next year.
The second key change in rules and regulations relates to stake limits for online slots. Players aged 18 to 24 will soon be limited to a maximum bet of £2 per spin. This will be set higher at £5 for players over the age of 25.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/people/people-moves/gambling-commission-counsell-interim-chair/
