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Seven Commissioners Appointed to the UK Gambling Commission

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The Secretary of State has appointed seven Commissioners to the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).

Charles Counsell, Helen Dodds, Sheree Howard and Claudia Mortimore have been appointed for terms of five years. Lloydette Bai-Marrow, Helen Philips and David Rossington have been appointed for terms of four years.

Lloydette Bai-Marrow

Lloydette is an anti-corruption expert and economic crime lawyer. She is the Founding Partner of Parametric Global Consulting, an economic crime investigations consultancy.

Lloydette is the Chair of the Board of Spotlight on Corruption, a UK based anti-corruption charity, she sits on the Legal Panel for WhistleblowersUK and is a trustee for the Unite Foundation. She is a Member of the Conduct Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

Lloydette is a Senior Visiting Lecturer at the International Anti-Corruption Academy in Vienna, Austria. She is a Co-Founder and Director of the Black Women in Leadership Network (BWIL), a non-profit network committed to increasing the representation of black women in leadership and decision-making positions.

Charles Counsell OBE

Charles was Chief Executive Officer of The Pensions Regulator from April 2019 to March 2023. Prior to this he was CEO of the Money Advice Service and Executive Director of Automatic Enrolment at The Pensions Regulator.

As CEO of The Pensions Regulator, Charles developed the new corporate strategy to put the pension saver at the heart of the Regulator. He delivered their first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Climate Change strategies – both focused on driving change in the regulator and across the Pensions Sector.

Throughout his career, his roles have focused on setting up and delivering large change programmes requiring significant stakeholder relationship engagement: initially in the private sector and latterly in senior public sector appointments.

Helen Dodds OStJ

Helen Dodds is an international lawyer, consultant and board member. She is currently a board member of the Human Tissue Authority, a director and trustee of the St John’s Eye Hospital Group, a director of LegalUK, and an Honorary Senior Fellow of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law. Prior to this, she was a board member of the London Court of International Arbitration.

She is a qualified (now non-practising) solicitor and in her executive career she was Global Head of Legal, Dispute Resolution at Standard Chartered Bank. She has a degree in Modern History from Oxford University.

Sheree Howard

Sheree has over 25 years’ experience in the UK financial services industry with knowledge of the process of regulation and a key focus on risk management, audit and controls. Sheree is currently the Executive Director of Risk and Compliance Oversight at the Financial Conduct Authority. She is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

Sheree has held roles in banking in areas of risk and compliance including Director of Advisory (Compliance), Commercial and Private Banking for the Royal Bank of Scotland; and Chief Risk Officer at Direct Line Group.

Sheree has been a Governor, including Chair, for more than 10 years of a maintained Special Needs School and has provided pro bono advice to a number of other charities.

Claudia Mortimore

Claudia has over 25 years’ experience of criminal law and regulation. She spent the first 10 years of her career working as a barrister then, after a career break to raise three children, prosecuted drugs, tax and money-laundering offences for the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office and fraudulent trading offences for the Department for Business.

Since 2013 Claudia has worked in senior positions in the Enforcement Division of the Financial Reporting Council, the body which regulates accountants, auditors and actuaries in the public interest and which sets the UK Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes. Claudia has led major investigations into serious and complex audit and accountancy failures.

Claudia has a particular interest in Diversity and Inclusion, she has also played a key role in promoting the importance of mental health and well-being at the Financial Reporting Council.

Helen Phillips

Dr Helen Phillips is an experienced executive and non-executive, with a career spanning the public, private and not for profit sectors. Helen’s current non-executive appointments include Chair of NHS Professionals Ltd and Chair of the Chartered Insurance Institute. Helen is concluding a nine year term as Chair of Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

In 2015 she was appointed as a lay member of the Legal Services Board (LSB), she was appointed independent Chair in 2017, and served a six year term to 31 March 2023. She served as a non-executive director of Social Work England from 2018 to 2021. Helen has also held non-executive director roles in Higher Education and the schools sector. Previously Helen was Board Director of Yorkshire Water and Chair of Loop Customer Management Ltd, a Kelda Group subsidiary. Prior to that, her career as a regulator was as founding Chief Executive of Natural England and a Director of the Environment Agency.

Helen has a BSc in Zoology and a PhD in Environmental Science from University College Dublin. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Insurers.

David Rossington CB

David is a former senior civil servant. He has worked for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), including as Finance Director and acting Director General, and other Government departments including what is now the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Since stopping full time work, he has been a member of the Advisory Committee on National Records and Archives and currently serves as its Deputy Chair. He is Treasurer and Deputy Chair of Stoll, a charity for veterans and Treasurer of Arts at the Old Fire Station, an Oxford community arts charity.

David holds a degree in History and French from Oxford, a Masters in Public Policy from the Kennedy School, Harvard University, and an economics MSc from Birkbeck College, London. David took an accountancy qualification while a civil servant, although is no longer in practice.

Compliance Updates

Spillemyndigheden: New Guidance on Responsible Gambling

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The Danish Gambling Authority has published a new gudiance on responsible gambling, which is targeted licence holders who offer betting and online casino.

The guidance reviews the rules on responsible gambling and also contain interpretations on how, as a licence holder who offers betting and online casino, can meet the requirements to offer gambling in a responsible manner.

The DGA’s guidance on responsible Gambling for Betting and Online Casino

The post Spillemyndigheden: New Guidance on Responsible Gambling appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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BGC: Government Tax Hike Boost for Black Market

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The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has warned that the incoming British tax hikes will boost black market activity.

Based on a new polling by Anacta reported in February 2026, there are concerns that proposed UK government gambling strategies, particularly regarding increased taxes, could contradict their intended harm-reduction goals.

While ministers have launched a consultation to ban unlicensed operators from sponsoring football clubs, including in the Premier League, ordinary punters fear the Government’s new tax rises could drive millions straight into illegal gambling sites, the new poll reveals.

The poll, conducted found:

• 52% of people who bet believe higher taxes will make punters more likely to use unlicensed black market sites.

• 66% of those who bet say tax increases will make betting and gaming less enjoyable.

• 57% think UK gambling is already heavily regulated.

With around 22.5 million adults placing a bet each month, the Government’s disastrous tax hikes will drive millions more to the harmful black market.

Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “When you tax responsible, regulated betting and gaming companies harder, you do not reduce demand you simply drive customers towards the unsafe, unregulated black market.

“Illegal gambling sites do not pay tax. They do not contribute to British sport. They do not invest in safer gambling and they do not protect vulnerable people.

“If the Government wants growth and genuine consumer protection, it must back the regulated sector not make it less competitive against criminals.”

The regulated sector supports 109,000 jobs, contributes £6.8 billion to the economy and generates £4 billion in tax revenue, funding everything from the NHS to schools and local communities.

The post BGC: Government Tax Hike Boost for Black Market appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Compliance Updates

Endorphina Compliance Strategies Explained ahead of HIPTHER Prague Summit

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Ahead of the HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, we speak with Džangar Jesenov, Head of Compliance at Endorphina, to explore how the company approaches regulatory excellence, market expansion, and certification in an increasingly complex global iGaming landscape – and how strong compliance frameworks support sustainable growth across Tier-1 European markets.

 

You have been leading Endorphina’s compliance function since 2021. How has the regulatory landscape in Europe evolved during this period, and what shifts have had the biggest operational impact on suppliers?

If I were to compare Endorphina in 2021 and Endorphina in 2026, I would describe them as two fundamentally different projects that nevertheless share the same core identity. The primary objective remains unchanged. However, the tools, scope, and operational framework used to achieve that objective have evolved significantly.

The development of the project reflects various external factors, including increasingly stringent regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions, technological advancements particularly within the financial sector and, importantly, substantial strengthening of human resources. Ultimately, people remain the most critical element in any successful project.

–          From a regulatory perspective, I would particularly highlight the introduction and expansion of B2B licensing policies

Across jurisdictions on different continents, and the increased responsibility placed on game suppliers.

–          Most notably, the heightened focus on player protection and security

In my view, enhanced player safety is one of the most important developments in the industry. Delivering engaging, high-quality games that are fully compliant with applicable legal frameworks is the foundation of any successful online platform and this is a commitment we uphold 24/7/365.

 

Endorphina has successfully expanded its presence across Tier-1 European markets. From a compliance perspective, what are the key pillars that enable smooth market entry and long-term sustainability?

In practice, there are unfortunately no “miracle tools” that would allow us to operate seamlessly at the highest regulatory level.

–          I may not be saying anything new or particularly surprising here, but behind every jurisdiction we enter lies a substantial amount of work

Each market requires extensive hours of analysis, including a detailed review of regulatory obligations, comparison of local data requirements and reporting outputs, development of internal policies tailored to the specific regional framework, structured internal data sharing across project teams, and the implementation of oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance with newly introduced rules.

There is a significant amount of daily routine involved continuous processes, reporting, analysis, and, where necessary, re-implementation of procedures, including updates or revisions of internal regulatory frameworks.

 

Certification and regulatory alignment remain major challenges for many suppliers. How does Endorphina structure its internal processes to ensure efficiency while maintaining full regulatory integrity?

With the development of regulatory obligations, our practices in this area are also evolving. Compliance in the gambling business matures like fine wine. The more stable your team is, the stronger your position on the market becomes. Today, regulations are being introduced in many new jurisdictions where gambling was completely prohibited just a few years ago, and I see this as progress from a regulatory perspective.

–          Our internal processes are continuously evolving toward the automation of data that does not require increased attention

Human resources are instead focused on information that is more relevant and requires deeper integrity.

 

With increasing focus on information security, responsible gaming, and technical standards, how do you see the role of compliance teams evolving within modern iGaming organisations?

As regulatory obligations continue to evolve, so does our practical experience in this area. Compliance in the gaming industry matures over time – much like fine wine.

–          The more stable and experienced your team is, the stronger your position in the market becomes

Today, regulation is being introduced in many new jurisdictions where gambling was completely prohibited just a few years ago. I see this as a positive development and a clear indication of progress from a regulatory perspective.

 

Endorphina has built a reputation as a trusted slot provider with a strong global partner network. How should compliance, product development, and commercial teams collaborate today to support scalable growth?

As Head of Compliance, I believe scalable growth is only achievable when compliance, product development, and commercial teams operate in full alignment rather than in silos. Compliance must be involved from the earliest stages of market entry and product design to prevent delays, reduce regulatory risk, and support sustainable expansion.

–          Product development should focus on modular, certification-ready solutions that allow efficient adaptation across multiple jurisdictions

Commercial strategy must remain closely aligned with regulatory feasibility, ensuring that opportunities are both attractive and compliant. Ultimately, stable and experienced teams are the key factor in building long-term, regulatorily resilient growth.

Looking ahead to the next 12–24 months, which regulatory or market developments should operators and suppliers be preparing for most carefully?

In this area, we are working very intensively. Looking ahead, I anticipate further increases in regulatory obligations, faster development of regulated markets, and structural changes in core online gaming products.”

–          I expect deeper integration of games with the player environment, placing greater emphasis on individual profiling and personalization of each session

These evolving models will inevitably be reflected in regulatory frameworks, with a stronger focus on player protection and proper tax accountability. At the same time, regulators will increasingly compete to attract high-quality market participants, a category to which Endorphina clearly belongs.

In the near-term perspective, many of today’s processes will become standard industry practice, while additional requirements will emerge, particularly those linked to the accountability and oversight of key individuals within licensed entities.

 

Endorphina is the GamingTECH Awards Party & Ceremony Sponsor at HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026. What would you like operators, partners, and industry peers to take away from engaging with your team during the event?

Thank you for the opportunity to be among the first to welcome our friends. First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone who will be joining us in person in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Prague.

I wish all participants a truly enjoyable experience.

–          Make the most of every moment spent among inspiring people

Boost your personal endorphin levels and take the opportunity to get to know the Endorphina team more closely.

The post Endorphina Compliance Strategies Explained ahead of HIPTHER Prague Summit appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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