Gambling Commission promotes consumer protection director to policy chief
Former civil servant Ian Angus promoted from within as UK regulator unveils VIP scheme clampdown
The Gambling Commission (UKGC) has promoted Ian Angus to director of policy as the regulator prepares for the forthcoming review of the 2005 Gambling Act.
Angus most recently served as a programme director for the UKGC’s consumer protection and empowerment division, spending just under three years in the role.
He worked on regulatory projects including improvements to handling complaints by alternative dispute resolution providers with the aim of providing stronger protection for consumers and ensuring they are treated fairly by gambling businesses.
Since joining the UKGC in 2013, Angus has overseen significant programmes of work with the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA), the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Prior to joining the regulator, he spent more than 10 years working for various public and charitable bodies including the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism and the Department for Communities and Local Government.
In his new role as director of policy, Angus will oversee the development and implementation of policy in accordance with the UKGC’s strategic priorities.
Angus will report to UKGC executive director of research and policy Tim Miller.
The UKGC has committed to several key initiatives in its strategy for 2018-2021, including increased consumer protection and harm-prevention, the raising of standards and optimising returns to good causes from lotteries.
In addition, the UK regulator has committed to improving the way it regulates the UK market after extensive external criticism.
In June, the UK government’s Public Accounts Committee slammed the regulator for having an “unacceptably weak understanding” of the impact gambling harms have on UK players.
The UKGC again came in for criticism in July from the House of Lords Select Committee, while the Social Market Foundation and Peers for Gambling Reform also called for it to be replaced.