Merricks to remain as commissioner of UKGC

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced that Walter Merricks is to remain as its commissioner until the end of the year.

Merricks was handed the extended term by UK Secretary of State Karen Bradley MP and will now continue in the role until December 31.

Awarded a CBE in 2007 for his contribution to financial services, Merricks also currently chairs the boards of IMPRESS, the independent monitor for the press, as well as law reform charity JUSTICE.

Prior to his time with the UKGC, he was the inaugural chief ombudsman for the Financial Ombudsman Service, the dispute resolver for the telecoms, energy and property sectors.

Meanwhile, the UKGC has also revealed that it recently joined forces with Police Scotland to carry out an operation at betting shops in Falkirk.

The compliance exercise was designed to help train police on how to conduct inspections of gambling licensed premises, as well as raise awareness amongst betting shop staff of the risks of crime.

Helen Venn, programme director at the UKGC, said: “Since 2014, we have undertaken nearly 200 proactive compliance inspections of gambling licensed premises in Scotland, which often involve police officers, licensing standards officers, and other agencies.

“We are committed to working with all our partners to ensure that gambling is fair and open, that criminal activity is prevented and that children and vulnerable people are protected.”

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