New Gambling Commission Chair Ruth Evans: Who She Is

The new Gambling Commission chair, Ruth Evans, takes office on 30 September 2026, ending more than a year and a half of interim leadership at Britain's gambling regulator. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced the appointment on 7 September, and Evans will serve a five-year term.

Her background is in public regulation and consumer protection, and much of her recent work has focused on fraud and scams. The government's appointment notice lists no gambling industry roles. Her first day is also the day new deposit-limit rules for online gambling in Great Britain take effect, so two changes at the regulator land at the same time.

Who is new Gambling Commission chair Ruth Evans?

Evans chairs Stop Scams UK, which brings banks, tech platforms and phone networks together to fight scams. iGaming Business describes her as a fraud specialist.

She also led a 2018 steering group whose voluntary industry code was designed to reimburse victims of authorised push payment (APP) scams. These are scams where people are tricked into sending money by bank transfer.

Her regulatory record is long. According to the government appointment notice, she has chaired the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) and was the first chair of the Bar Standards Board.

Her other past roles include a nine-year spell on the General Medical Council as a lay member, where she led the Standards and Ethics Committee, and a non-executive directorship at the Serious Fraud Office. She currently chairs the Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board as well.

When does Ruth Evans start, and what is the role?

Evans starts on 30 September 2026 and her term lasts five years. The government says the post pays £85,000 a year for two days' work a week.

The Secretary of State makes the appointment under the Gambling Act 2005, and the process followed the Cabinet Office's Governance Code on Public Appointments. Evans has not declared any significant political activity in the past five years.

Speaking about the job, Evans said the Commission's role in "keeping gambling fair, safe and crime-free is more important than ever".

How the interim period ends

The regulator has not had a permanent chair since Marcus Boyle left in January 2025. Charles Counsell became interim chair in February 2025, and the Gambling Commission's own announcement thanked him for keeping the organisation steady through the interim period.

In the government notice, Counsell welcomed Evans and said her experience would strengthen the Commission's board. He expects her to play a key role as the regulator works on a new strategy, steps up action on illegal gambling and delivers its part of the Gambling Act Review reforms. For background on those reforms, see our UK gambling white paper update.

What does the appointment mean for players?

In the short term, nothing changes because of the appointment itself. Neither announcement sets out new policies.

Evans spoke broadly about online safety and proportionate regulation built on partnership, but she has not published plans for the regulator. Any prediction about what she might do on stakes, affordability checks or bonuses would be guesswork for now.

What does change on 30 September was decided earlier. From that date, licensed online operators must offer gross deposit limits under the Commission's remote technical standards, after the Commission moved the deadline from 30 June to give firms more time. Our guide to the September deposit-limit changes explains how gross and net limits differ.

Her career spans more than four decades, most of it spent speaking up for consumers and the public interest. How that background shapes the Commission's priorities will only become clear once she is in post.

For players, the practical advice stays the same. Set account limits that fit your budget, and visit our responsible gambling page if gambling stops feeling like entertainment.

Questions about the Gambling Commission chair

When does new Gambling Commission chair Ruth Evans take office?

She starts on 30 September 2026. Her term runs for five years from that date.

Who led the Gambling Commission before Ruth Evans?

Charles Counsell has been interim chair since February 2025. The previous permanent chair, Marcus Boyle, left in January 2025.

How much is the Gambling Commission chair paid?

The government notice lists pay of £85,000 a year. The role is set at two days a week.

Will Ruth Evans change the rules for players?

She has not announced any policy changes. The deposit-limit rules that start on 30 September were set before her appointment and apply regardless.

Source information checked on 13 September 2026. Appointment details and start dates may be updated by the government or the regulator.