It was recently announced that Bill Moyes would be stepping down as chair of the UK Gambling Commission, with Marcus Boyle taking on the role for the next five years. The former Deloitte executive was appointed by the UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden. He will be tasked with taking the Commission into a new era, in which gambling regulation will be modified to synchronise with the ever-advancing digital age.
UKGC Needs Regular Refreshment of Personnel
The UKGC leadership is constantly refreshed, mirroring the regularly shifting landscape of the gambling industry. It can’t run the risk of falling behind the evolution of the sector, which continues to grow at breakneck speed. Although the previous chairman has done a sterling job, there’s always the concern that these leaders get stuck in their ways and fail to look at the need for sprucing up the legislation objectively.
When Moyes was appointed in 2017, he was only given until the end of this year in the role, just as Boyle has been handed a five-year contract in the next stage of the development of the UKGC. Boyle enters the fray as an outsider, but a businessman who is heavily connected with the online world. He has management experience from his time as an equity partner of Deloitte. At the incredibly large professional services firm, he has served as Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Operating Officer in the past, highlighting his impressive credentials.
Focus on Changing Landscape of Online Gambling
According to a report from Yogonet, Boyle’s “expertise will be invaluable as he steers the Commission into a new era of gambling regulation fit for the digital age.” This comment suggests that the UKGC is aware of the need to address the shift towards a heavier focus on the online side of the gambling industry, which is set to grow even bigger as it continues to develop.
It is becoming harder for gambling commissions around the world to keep up with all the various changes that have occurred since gambling moved to an online setting. In the early days of digital casinos, regulation was much easier because the scope of the industry was smaller, and the software was simpler.
Nowadays, it’s evident that the sites and games available have come on leaps and bounds from the slot games in brick-and-mortar establishments of yesteryear. This is clear from examining the compilation of best UK slots, where listed game titles such as 2 Gods: Zeus vs Thor and Dragon Spark boast nifty, technologically advanced features. The former uses a Dual Spin engine, while the latter incorporates Ways Boost. These unique mechanisms, as well as the seemingly endless range of themed titles available, show how far the industry has progressed in the last twenty years.
Boyle’s in-tray as he starts his tenure as chair of the UKGC will be to examine the new ways in which players enjoy gambling games online and work out the correct regulatory framework for these offerings. He’ll also need to keep one eye on the future and stay ahead of the curve as new developments are introduced at online casinos.
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