Department for Culture, Media and Sport - Public Appointments
Commissioners
GAMBLING COMMISSION
Role Specification
Introduction
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport wishes to appoint three new
Commissioners to the Gambling Commission, with effect from early 2015.
The Commission is an independent regulator sponsored by the Department for
Culture, Media and Sport. It is responsible for regulating commercial gambling in
Britain working closely with licensing authorities (LAs) and other organisations such
as the police and HMRC. Since October 2013 the Commission has regulated the
National Lottery and is therefore now responsible for maximising returns to the good
causes subject to the overriding public protection objectives of keeping gambling fair
and open; free from crime ; and protecting the young and vulnerable.
The Commission has a Board of 8 commissioners including the Chief Executive and
its statutory duties give it a very wide policy making and regulatory compliance and
enforcement remit. Its commissioners have a quasi judicial role in determining the
more significant licensing and enforcement cases with the power to refuse or revoke
licences, impose potentially unlimited fines or specific licences conditions.
It will have around 280 employees by end 2014, mostly based in Birmingham, with
over 30 compliance and enforcement home based managers working across
England, Scotland and Wales. Its £16.6m budget is primarily funded by application
and licence fees from gambling operators set by the Secretary of State, approved by
Parliament but with expenditure on National Lottery functions funded by grant-in-aid.
The around 3000 businesses regulated by the Commission under the 2005
Gambling Act generated an estimated £6.4 billion in gross gambling yield in 2012/13,
and the National Lottery generated £3.5 billion in gross gambling yield, £1.9 billion of
which went to National Lottery good causes. Post implementation of the remote
gambling reforms the Commission expects to regulate a further 170 businesses
accounting for another £2bn gross gambling yield. Nationally there are:

around 147 casinos
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around 642 bingo halls
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around 1,750 arcades and gaming centres
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around 8,800 bookmakers
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around 750 society lotteries
The introduction to the most recent annual report provides a good overview of the
work of the Commission and the challenges facing it and describes the governance
and senior management structure.
Gambling Commission annual report and accounts 2013-14 and the
Gambling Commission annual review 2013-14 covers GC activity over the last year
Role of Gambling Commissioners
Under the leadership of the Chairman, the appointed Commissioners will be
expected to have responsibility for:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
taking corporate responsibility with other Commissioners for ensuring that
the Commission discharges its duties under the Gambling Act;
promoting high standards of corporate governance, and financial
governance in particular;
encouraging the efficient and effective use of staff and other resources
throughout the Commission;
taking part in board committee work and various ad-hoc groups to deal
with specific priorities
serving in quasi-judicial role on Regulatory Panels conducting licensing
and disciplinary casework hearings with operators and individuals.
Commissioners are expected to commit one day per week on average, with sufficient
flexibility to cope with variations of workload. For example, Commissioners will be
expected to attend monthly Commission and other meetings as necessary, meetings
with stakeholders, and to participate in the work of the Regulatory Panel relating to
the granting, reviewing and revoking of licences and in respect of other Commission
decisions. The Commission has a National Lottery Committee (which conducts the
detailed regulatory and investment oversight of the National Lottery) Remuneration
Committee and an Audit Committee. The posts are not pensionable.
Appointments to the Gambling Commission are made by the Secretary of State for
Culture, Media and Sport. Further information on the Gambling Commission can be
found on its website www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk
The People – Essential Criteria
In common with all appointments to the Gambling Commission, the successful
candidates will need to demonstrate or provide evidence of:

ability to operate on a Board and of working to the highest standards of
integrity;


an understanding of, and commitment to, the Government’s approach to
gambling as set out in the Gambling Act 2005 and of overall landscape of
gambling policy including the regulation of the National Lottery and the duty to
maximise returns to good causes (subject to overriding public protection
objectives);
a commitment to diversity and equality, in relation to policy development and
employment practices at the Commission.
We would welcome candidates who demonstrate the above criteria including, but not
limited to, any who may be able to offer one, or more, of the following areas of
understanding:





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commercial experience in the private sector including those with an
understanding of operating in the SME sector or Financial Conduct Authority
(FCA) regulated environment,
a regulatory or legal environment;
social responsibility consumer protection issues
the regulatory role of local authorities;
e-business with a particular understanding of the impact of digital
technologies in the retail or Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector;
Scottish or Welsh local and devolved government approach to licensing and
public order policies
Specifically, for one of these three roles we seek candidates who would be suitable
to take the role of Chair of the Audit Committee from Autumn 2015.
The Gambling Commission and DCMS aspire to diversity in public appointments and
support an equal opportunities policy.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
How much time will I need to commit?
Around one day per week on average, with variations in workload.
Where will board meetings be held?
Normally at the Gambling Commission’s offices in Birmingham.
Are the roles paid?
Yes, the roles currently attract a non-pensionable remuneration of £295.20 per day,
and may be subject to a small uplift in spring 2015 (in line with any recommendations
made by the Senior Salaries Review Body). Reasonable and properly documented
expenses incurred on board business will be reimbursed.
How long are the appointments, and when will they start?
The appointments are for four or five years, and are expected to be made and to
take effect in early 2015.
Deadline
The closing date for applications is Wednesday 7 January 2015. Interviews for
shortlisted candidates are intended to be held on 10 or 17 February, so we ask that
applicants note these dates so that they are prepared in case they are shortlisted for
interview.
How to Apply
In order to apply for these roles please submit a CV and covering letter (ideally no
more than two to three pages for each); together with the two monitoring forms and
the conflict of interest form. Your covering letter should also outline how you
demonstrate the qualities and skills required in the role.
Applications should be sent by email to:
simon.richardson@culture.gov.uk
If you have any questions about the application procedure please contact Simon
Richardson in the Public Appointments team at DCMS either by email
simon.richardson@culture.gov.uk or by telephone 0207 211 6420