The Gambling Commission has appointed one of the UK government’s top lottery policy officials to its executive team, strengthening its oversight of the National Lottery.
Sarah Fox will join the regulator on secondment from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), where she has spent the past four years leading the Gambling and Lotteries team.
In her new role, she will oversee the Commission’s National Lottery regulation alongside its Policy, Research and Statistics functions.
The appointment comes as the Commission continues to supervise the fourth National Lottery licence, held by Allwyn UK, while seeking to maximise returns to Good Causes and ensure player protection.
Fox has been closely involved in some of the biggest developments affecting the National Lottery in recent years, which has gone through a period of change and challenges since 2021.
Allwyn won the fourth lottery licence contest in 2022, and took on the licence in 2024.
The firm has faced legal challenges against its licence, though it was able to overcome all three of these – the latest being a dispute between the Commission and Allwyn on one side, and Richard Desmond’s The New Lottery Corporation on the other.
Alongside her lottery responsibilities, Fox also led work on the Gambling Act review and the subsequent implementation of the government’s White Paper, published in April 2023 when the review concluded.
Fox said: “Over the last four years I’ve seen first-hand the work of the Commission, and the expertise, talent and enthusiasm of its teams. So much has been achieved over a time that has been significant for the gambling sector and everyone with an interest in it.
“The opportunity to cross over to the Commission and help the team continue making gambling safer, fairer and crime free is one I am really excited to take.”
Fox joining at a time of change for the Commission
Her appointment follows recent changes within the Commission’s executive team, including the departure of Executive Director Tim Miller and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Rhodes.
The Commission is currently without a permanent CEO, Executive Director or Chair, and is currently being headed up by Sarah Gardner on an interim basis.
Gardner has had to face the music as the public fumed about the regulator’s decision to implement Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs), a very unpopular measure among betting and gambling companies.
For the lottery, however, it may look slightly more positive, particularly with the introduction of the US-founded Powerball game to the UK this month.
That will be a game under Fox’s remit as she looks to make an immediate impact at the Commission.
Gardner added: “We are incredibly fortunate to have someone with Sarah’s experience joining us. The Commission has an ambitious strategy so having someone who is already working across the gambling and lotteries sector will be invaluable.
“Sarah’s role will be a vital one as we complete the final stages of the implementation of the white paper, assess the impacts of these changes, and continue to ensure the interests of National Lottery players are protected and that returns to Good Causes are maximised.”