UKGC unveils dedicated head of illegal markets role on £65k salary
Great Britain’s Gambling Commission is seeking to appoint a dedicated head of illegal markets for the first time as it steps up efforts to tackle black market gambling activity.
According to the regulator, the successful candidate will lead its strategy on illegal gambling enforcement, intelligence gathering and disruption activity. They will also work with operators, regulators and technology platforms to combat unlicensed gambling.
The role will also involve overseeing investigations into illegal operators, coordinating cross-border enforcement efforts and helping shape the Commission’s wider policy response to the growing black market sector.
However, the payment package being offered appears relatively limited given the scale of the responsibilities attached to the role.
The regulator has set the salary at £65,000 per annum, with the position offered on a hybrid basis involving regular travel to Birmingham. While classified as a full-time role, applicants may also apply on a part-time basis of 30 hours per week.
The salary and potential part-time status of the role could raise concerns across the industry around how seriously the Commission is taking illegal market enforcement, as well as the level of candidates that could apply for the position.
For example, gambling industry compliance consultant Nigel Harvey said on LinkedIn: “[A] £65k salary just sounds pretty low for such an important position. Illegal markets will grow even more if the financial risk assessments go ahead in the expected form, this is going to be an unbelievably important role – I just can’t see how this level of renumeration will attract the calibre of individual needed.”
Commission’s pledge to tackle illegal gambling
Despite those questions, the appointment marks another step forward in the Commission’s increasing focus on combatting illegal gambling activity in Britain.
In recent years, the regulator has repeatedly warned about the growth of the black market and pledged to strengthen enforcement efforts against unlicensed operators targeting UK consumers. This has included closer cooperation with payment providers, technology platforms and international regulators, as well as expanded disruption activity.
The Commission also launched a dedicated research programme to better understand the scale of illegal gambling in the UK market. However, the regulator previously acknowledged it was unable to produce a reliable estimate of the sector’s overall size.
Concerns over enforcement capabilities have also surfaced publicly. In February, executive director Tim Miller admitted the Commission faced an “inequality of arms” when tackling organised criminal networks operating illegal gambling sites overseas.
At the same time, the regulator has called for additional resources to maintain and expand its enforcement remit. These included proposals to increase licence fees partly to support action against illegal gambling.
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