Nick Rust is to leave his position as Chair of the Gambling Commission’s industry form after just two years in the job.
Rust will exit the role at the end of November, as confirmed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) earlier this week.
He formerly held prominent positions in the gambling and sport industry, most notably a six-year spell as the CEO of the British Horseracing Authority.
Rust is a popular figure among users of UK betting sites, currently serving as the Chair of the Starting Price Regulatory Commission and a Non-Executive Director of Redcar Racecourse.
He is also a founding partner of GVS EQ, a company which offers specialist consulting services in equine sports and a trustee of the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Nick Rust Cites Busy Schedule As Reason For Departing UKGC Role
Rust cited an overflowing schedule in his leaving statement while voicing his frustration regarding the public policy discourse associated with gambling.
“I’ve got some other commitments which mean I am going to be pretty busy over this winter, which meant I felt I couldn’t give it enough time, that was the main reason [for stepping down].
“I think the commission has got a very tough job on, I think they are under-resourced and they are doing lots of good work but the public policy discourse with regard to gambling does frustrate me at times. I have found myself feeling that I should be lobbying on behalf of the industry when actually my role is to provide advice and guidance to the commission.
“The commission has not frustrated me but the public discourse about gambling, and the pressure on the commission around the policy that emerges from that, it can be frustrating.”
He believes the UKGC is doing good work, especially in the black market of offshore sportsbooks which he described as a ‘complex space’ that doesn’t provide any protection for vulnerable consumers.
Rust said he has enjoyed his time in the role and won’t be leaving until near the end of the year with plenty of work to be done until then.
The industry forum was created by the UKGC in 2023, featuring members from Britain’s gambling sector and offering the regulator valuable insight into the views of the industry about the Commission’s plans and the quality of their services.
Members include some prominent figures with sports betting apps such as Ashley Padgett of Flutter, Mark Pearson of Betfred, Leo Walker of Entain and David Williams of Rank Group.
UKGC Plan To Appoint New Chair In Due Course
The UKGC thanked Rust for his ‘significant contribution and continued support’ and added a new chair will be appointed in due course.
Chief executive Andrew Rhodes said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with both Nick and the forum over the last two years. Nick has been such a valuable sounding board, a constant fount of knowledge and insight and a great support to me personally.”
Joe Lyons is a betting industry writer for GamblingIndustryNews with years of experience on reputable gambling websites. Joe specialises in long form content in the world of sports betting and gambling. Joe is recognised as an expert in sports fields such as horse racing, soccer, NFL and NBA.
