British MPs question suitability of Allwyn UK’s new interim CEO
MPs have told the Gambling Commission that they’re “deeply concerned” about the appointment of Phil Walker.
UK.- Two MPs have written to the Gambling Commission to raise concerns over the suitability of Allwyn UK’s new interim chief executive officer. The operator of the UK National Lottery announced a week ago that Phil Walker will step in to replace its debut CEO Andria Vidler from September 7. Both the Gambling Commission and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) were informed of the appointment ahead of the public announcement.
However, Iain Duncan Smith and Dawn Butler, two MPs who have long criticised the gambling sector, have questioned the choice due to Walker’s past experience at William Hill. As reported by The Guardian, the MPs told the Gambling Commission that they were “deeply concerned” about the decision.
Walker spent more than four years in senior roles at William Hill before becoming Chief Commercial Officer at 888 Holdings (now Evoke) in 2023, following its acquisition of William Hill in 2021. During his time as UK and Ireland Managing Director at William Hill, the company was ordered to pay a £19.2m settlement to the Gambling Commission in March 2023.
The penalty was the largest ever imposed by the regulator and was the result of social responsibility and anti-money laundering failings. Then-CEO Andrew Rhodes remarked at the time that the Gambling Commission had given “serious consideration to licence suspension” in light of the breaches.
Walker had already agreed to step down from his non-executive director role at City Gaming before taking on the interim CEO role at Allwyn UK on September 7. City Gaming confirmed to The Guardian that Walker will step down from the position while he serves as interim CEO.
Allwyn UK has confirmed that the search for a permanent long-term CEO has already begun. Walker’s appointment is interim while that process is conducted.
The MPs’ objections are not surprising given their long-standing opposition to gambling industry practices. While the £19.2m settlement provides a clear focal point for their criticism, some have suggested that they would be likely to challenge any appointment with a background in other gambling verticals as CEO of the National Lottery.
Supporters of the appointment argue that lottery operations are themselves a form of gambling, and that experience at one of the UK’s largest and oldest betting brands could be seen as an asset.
Gillian Taylor, Director of Communications at Allwyn UK, said: “As we navigate an increasingly competitive environment, Phil Walker brings valuable operational, digital and marketing experience alongside a significant understanding of our operating landscape. His appointment will help deliver the next stage of growth and innovation of The National Lottery, and we look forward to welcoming Phil to the role of interim CEO on 7th September.”
It is worth noting that The National Lottery is regulated separately under the National Lottery Act, rather than the Gambling Act.
