The chief executive of the U.K. Gambling Commission resigned last week after two years on the job.
According to the U.K. Times newspaper, the surprise announcement comes at “a crucial point for the watchdog, which is consulting on the reform of betting laws.” The review is studying online gaming, which has seen a surge in patronage as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.
McArthur joined the commission in 2006 and was general counsel before succeeding Sarah Harrison as chief executive in 2018. He said the commission has taken “significant steps forward to make gambling fairer and safer and I know that I leave the organization in a strong position to meet its future challenges.
“With a review of the Gambling Act underway now feels the right time to step away and allow a new chief executive to lead the commission on the next stage in its journey.”
Policies introduced during his term include a ban on credit cards to pay for online betting and enhanced age verification checks.
According to SBC News, McArthur also drew criticism from MPs who blasted the group’s close relationship with licensed operators. McArthur defended the “collaborative frameworks” of the UKGC’s National Strategy, which he said balanced the industry’s commercial interests and social responsibilities.
The commission’s operations and structure and the 2005 Gambling Act are now under review by the government under John Whittingdale, new undersecretary for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
