Exiting Gambling Commission chief Andrew Rhodes has been linked to a move within the industry. So, how will a ‘gamekeeper turned poacher’ switch go down in stakeholder circles?
Having stepped down as CEO of the Gambling Commission last month, Andrew Rhodes is reportedly considering a role at Harris Hagan’s new commercial advisory body Hawkbridge, prompting concerns the move will represent a conflict of interest.
A spokesperson for the regulator refused to be drawn on the accuracy of the rumours in response to questions put by Sky News, but made efforts to reassure industry stakeholders Rhodes would be “bound by confidentiality obligations.”
“Andrew has told us he is going to work within the wider sector and has been open with us about his plans,” said the spokesperson. “Andrew has stepped back from any duties which might present risks of a conflict of interest.”
“Andrew will be bound by confidentiality obligations and post-employment restrictions, including limits on the use of confidential information and on engagement with matters connected to his previous responsibilities. These restrictions are designed to prevent conflicts of interest and protect the integrity of the Commission’s work.”
Harris Hagan announced the launch of Hawkbridge in February, with co-founder John Hagan stating the advisory firm would be separate from the legal practice, and will “support key decision-makers with clear, independent and strategic advice that reflects both regulatory realities and commercial pressures.”
Oh what a wicked web we weave…
The prospect of an Andrew Rhodes cross-over into industry territory is a fascinating scenario. Harris Hagan, near royalty in the industry’s legal court, has launched a separate advisory consultancy which has sparked speculation that Rhodes is possibly going to cross the divide.
Drafting expertise from regulatory bodies is not uncommon in any and every industry. It is, however, pretty unsavoury in certain circumstances – and one expects the industry will not be bubbling with warmth should Andrew Rhodes make the gamekeeper turned poacher move.
Rhodes is no stranger to the commercial world and there must be life after GamCom, and rightly so. But when you have presided over one of the most intensive programmes of aggressive regulatory rule that has served to decimate the industry; enabled and overseen an overburdensome level of unnecessary regulations; and whose policies have played their part in a massive decline in the number of businesses in the amusements, gaming and gambling sector, it could be described as a somewhat shame-faced, ballsy move.
Rhodes is out of the Commission, and really given his record, should be out of the industry. The regulator wants to see the back of him, the industry wants to see the back of him – and that’s not being unkind; continuing a role in the industry would be viewed as unhelpful to GamCom and certainly unwelcome by literally thousands of businesses.
Rhodes has every right to assume a role wherever the opportunity arises – especially in an industry that he has worked in for five years. But he didn’t win much credibility in his role as chief executive and he will certainly struggle – hard – to earn any if he should step over the line and take consultancy fees from the very people he squeezed the fiscals out of.
Hawkbridge presumably believes he has something to offer, and they are rarely wrong. But to many in our sector he leaves it, albeit possibly temporarily, with an industry reference that will say ‘he played the biggest part in setting our industry back decades and decades’.
His return will not be welcome for various reasons in nearly all circles, but then everyone loves a comeback kid. Or do they?
Originally published on Coinslot on March 16, 2026. Republished with permission.