UK Gambling Commission Appoints New Chief

Britain's Gambling Commission, the independent body that regulates commercial gambling in the country, has appointed its new chairman - Philip Graf.

'Wealth of Knowledge'

Graf, who was appointed to a five-year term, has a strong background as a regulator, having until now served as deputy chairman of Ofcom, the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries. He will hold both the Ofcom and gambling posts simultaneously until his term at Ofcom ends on December 31.

In his new role, Graf also becomes chairman designate of the future body created by merging the Gambling Commission and the National Lottery Commission, which will participate in funding elite British athletes following the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

Gambling Commission Helps Players

The Gambling Commission, which was set up in 2005 and which acts as an independent non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, facilitates the regulation of commercial gambling in accordance with the law, to ensure that consumers get the most out of their gaming experience.

The commission has licensed more than 3,500 operators in Great Britain and has the power to regulate everything from gambling software providers and developers, to casinos and affiliates, to bingo parlors and online bingo rooms.

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