Acting Chief Executive of the UK Gambling Commission (GC) Sarah Gardner has reassured that constructive dialogue with the Bingo Association will continue amid ongoing leadership restructuring at the top of both organisations.

Gardner postponed her usual Deputy Chief Executive duties beginning of May to step into the interim CEO role and cover for Andrew Rhodes, who stepped down on 30 April. She will continue to execute this function until the Commission finds a permanent replacement for Rhodes.

Meanwhile, the Bingo Association will also part ways with its long-serving CEO Miles Baron, who has decided to retire later in June. His successor has already been announced with the appointment of Nicole Garrett – an expert in corporate affairs and governmental policies. Both Baron and Garrett were present at the Association’s AGM on 7 May, where Gardner held her speech.

“Today, I wanted to put on record the thanks of myself and the Gambling Commission for Miles’ contribution over the years: how he has worked with us in a spirit of collaboration and for the tireless efforts he has made in representing the bingo sector,” Gardner said.

“And because in gambling you can never stand still, I also want to say that we’re looking forward to working with Nicole as incoming Chief Exec as well. And continuing to build that collaborative relationship as we go forwards.”

Gardner went on to applaud the Association for the continuous feedback provided on the quality assessment of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) – the Commission’s new nation-wide research into gambling participation launched in 2023 to inform future policies based on modernised methodology.

The GC’s acting CEO stated that the Association’s frequent contributions helped optimise the survey so that it puts forward the most accurate depiction of the bingo sector in the UK.

Gardner concluded: “Working together, rather than retreating to the entrenchments, means we can build a shared understanding instead of creating mistrust. We can look to make progress instead of holding each other back.

“At the Commission I and my team value the way the bingo sector and the Bingo Association work with us. We want to keep that going and we look forward to continuing to work with all of you through the year ahead.”

 

 

 

 

 

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