Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Two MP’s have asked the Gambling Commission to explain how Allwyn UK assessed Phil Walker before naming him interim CEO of the National Lottery operator. The questions focus on a 2024 regulatory warning linked to William Hill and his board role with adult gaming centre operator City Gaming.
Good to Know
- Labour MP Dawn Butler and Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith wrote to the Gambling Commission over the appointment.
- Walker received a personal management licence warning in May 2024 over failures connected with William Hill businesses.
- Walker will step back from City Gaming from September 1 while serving as interim Allwyn UK CEO.
MPs Ask Gambling Commission About Walker Record
Walker will replace Andria Vidler on September 7 as Allwyn searches for a permanent chief executive. Allwyn operates the National Lottery under a 10 year licence running from February 2024 through January 2034.
Before that transition, Butler and Duncan Smith want more detail on how his regulatory history factored into the appointment.
The Gambling Commission issued Walker a warning in May 2024 after reviewing his personal management licence. The regulator found that, while responsible for management at several William Hill businesses between 2020 and 2021, he failed to take all reasonable steps to prevent licence condition breaches. His licence was not revoked.
The action followed a wider William Hill case. Three group businesses agreed to pay £19.2 million in March 2023 over social responsibility and anti money laundering failures, then the largest enforcement payment in Gambling Commission history.
Butler and Duncan Smith told the regulator they were “deeply concerned” and asked what consideration had been given to that history when assessing Walker for the National Lottery role.
A Gambling Commission spokesperson said:
“We would not publicly comment on an operator’s personnel decisions.”
Allwyn has pointed out that Walker retained his personal licence and said his operational, digital and marketing experience would support the National Lottery.
Game Nation Link Adds Another Policy Question
The MP’s also raised his non executive directorship at City Gaming, owner of Game Nation, one of the largest adult gaming centre chains in Britain.
Walker will step back from City Gaming from September 1 for the duration of his interim National Lottery contract. Companies House records indicate the board position may have paid him more than £50,000.
The timing makes that connection politically sensitive. The UK government announced plans on August 11 to scrap the Gambling Act “Aim to Permit” rule and tighten planning rules covering betting shops and adult gaming centres. The changes are intended to give councils greater control over gambling premises on high streets.
Walker therefore enters Allwyn during a period when policy around adult gaming centres is becoming more restrictive, while the National Lottery remains subject to its own regulatory framework and public interest duties.
Allwyn announced his appointment on August 19. Vidler will leave the CEO role after overseeing major technology changes, the introduction of Powerball and a relaunch of Lotto. She will remain as an adviser until the end of October.
The post MP’s Ask Gambling Commission About New Allwyn UK CEO appeared first on iGaming.org.