The Gambling Commission has named Sarah Fox as the newest member of its Executive Team, with her secondment from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) due to begin in September.
Fox will oversee the regulator's Policy, Research and Statistics divisions while also taking responsibility for National Lottery regulation. She will replace Tim Miller, who is leaving the Commission in September after serving for 10 years.
Fox Brings Government Experience to New Position
For the past four years, Fox has led the Gambling and Lotteries team at DCMS. During that period, she played a role in the development and delivery of the government's gambling white paper, supported the move to the fourth National Lottery Licence and managed policy work covering society lotteries and horse racing.
Her career in the Civil Service spans more than 23 years, with roles across several departments including the Home Office, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Cabinet Office, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and DCMS.
Fox also serves as DCMS's senior disability champion, where she works with the department's staff network and uses her own experience to improve disability confidence across the organisation.
Commission Continues White Paper Work
Acting Chief Executive Sarah Gardner welcomed Fox's appointment, saying her experience in gambling and lottery policy would strengthen the Commission as it completes the final stages of the gambling white paper's implementation.
Gardner said Fox's background would also help the regulator review the impact of the reforms while continuing to protect National Lottery players and maximise returns to Good Causes.
Fox said she was looking forward to joining the Gambling Commission after working closely with the organisation during her time at DCMS. She said she had seen the Commission's work and the commitment of its staff first-hand over the past four years and was eager to contribute to its efforts to make gambling safer, fairer and free from crime.
The appointment comes as the Gambling Commission continues implementing reforms outlined in the gambling white paper while maintaining oversight of the National Lottery.
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UK Gambling Market Continues to Shift Online
The Gambling Commission's latest industry figures show that the UK's gambling sector remains on a steady growth path.
Gross gambling yield (GGY) reached £4.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from £4.4 billion a year earlier, with online gambling continuing to account for the largest share of revenue. Remote casino, betting and bingo generated £2.12 billion during the quarter, led by remote casino activity, while land-based venues contributed £1.2 billion.
The regulator's latest survey also found that 47% of adults had taken part in some form of gambling during the previous four weeks, although that figure fell to 26% when lottery-only participants were excluded.
National Lottery products remained the most widely played, while online gambling attracted more participants than in-person gambling. Alongside monitoring market performance, the Gambling Commission has also stepped up its regulatory work, including plans to use AI to review gambling advertisements aimed at protecting under-18s.
These developments provide the backdrop to Sarah Fox's appointment as the regulator continues implementing gambling reforms and overseeing the National Lottery.
Source:
Sarah Fox to Join Gambling Commission Executive Team, latestbingobonuses.com, July 31, 2026.