The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) has appointed a new Executive Director of Operations in ex-HMRC Director of Debt Management Sue Young.
She is tasked with overseeing operational functions, according to the commission, as it “continues its work to keep gambling safer, fairer and crime free.”
Appointment comes at testing time for UKGC
Young’s appointment comes off the backdrop of increased pressure on the sector by the British government. In the Labour budget last year, chancellor Rachel Reeves targeted the gambling sector with steep tax increases on online betting and gaming operators.
Remote Gaming Duty on online casino-style products will nearly double from 21% to 40% from April 2026, while a new 25% tax on online sports betting will be introduced from April 2027. The measures largely spare land-based gambling, with betting shops and horse racing excluded from the increases, while bingo duty will be scrapped entirely from April 2026 to support the sector.
As a result of those policies, the commission is expected to bear added administrative pressure from the government.
Sarah Gardner, Acting Chief Executive of the UKGC, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Sue to the Gambling Commission. There is a great deal of important work underway across our operational teams, not least our continued focus on tackling the illegal market and delivering strong regulatory outcomes. Sue brings a wealth of operational leadership experience and I’m very much looking forward to working with her.”
Young added in the statement: “I’m excited to be joining the Gambling Commission and to be learning about a new sector. The Commission plays an important role in protecting consumers and ensuring gambling is conducted fairly and safely. I’m looking forward to building on the significant work already underway across the organisation.”
Alongside her work at the HMRC, she has held senior roles at the Home Office, including Border Force and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services and the Department of Health and Social Care.
Crypto payments remain under UKGC review
According to recent news reports, the UKGC is reviewing how licensed operators handle crypto payments as the government advances plans to bring cryptoassets under tighter financial regulation. The move signals growing scrutiny of how digital currencies intersect with gambling.
The regulator is examining risks including source-of-funds checks, anti-money laundering controls, affordability assessments and crypto volatility. The review aligns with proposals to integrate crypto into mainstream financial rules, potentially tightening oversight of crypto-funded gambling accounts.
Broader UK reforms would introduce licensing, consumer protection and market conduct rules for crypto firms, creating additional compliance requirements for operators. While crypto offers speed and accessibility, regulators view these features as increasing financial and consumer risk.
Operators may face higher compliance costs, stricter onboarding and reduced anonymity if rules tighten. The UKGC is expected to provide further clarity, but the direction suggests crypto gambling will be judged primarily on regulatory compliance rather than innovation.
UKGC admits struggles in fight against black market entities
At the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) AGM back in February, Executive Director Tim Miller cautioned that the regulator’s powers have limits when confronting highly resourced black market operators.
Miller told a panel: “We are a fairly small public body based in Birmingham in the West Midlands, often trying to take on either big multinational corporations or criminal gangs based in places like Russia. So, we’ve got to be realistic about what we can achieve.”
Miller also said ex-UKGC CEO Andrew Rhodes had expressed frustration over the regulator’s limited ability to tackle black market sponsors in British sport, ahead of government confirmation in February of plans to ban such activity.
He added that broader public policy constraints had, at times, hindered enforcement, even where there may have been a strong case for criminal prosecution.
“There is a clear imbalance of resources,” Miller said, noting that pursuing action against some operators could prove ineffective despite regulatory efforts.
Against this backdrop, Young steps into the role at a pivotal moment for the regulator, as it balances increased government scrutiny with evolving risks across the gambling landscape. Her experience in complex, high-pressure public sector environments is expected to be key as the Commission strengthens its operational response.
With mounting challenges ranging from tax-driven market shifts to crypto oversight and persistent black market activity, Young’s leadership will play a central role in shaping how effectively the UKGC delivers on its core objectives.
