Gambling Commission Exec Leaves UK For Gibraltar Position

Key member of the UK Gambling Commission, Director of Operations Phill Brear, will be leaving his post soon for a lead position in Gibraltar. Brear is set to become the head of the Gibraltar Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA). The timing is notable as the UK Gambling Commission would take full control over Internet gambling in the region as of September 1st.

GRA chief executive Paul Canessa announced the appointment this week, saying, "We are delighted to have made this appointment. Our e-gambling industry is the hub of a global industry that aspires to the highest standards in socially responsible and transparent services. It is essential that we have the right blend of regulation, experience and innovation to work with our operators in meeting and developing those standards. Phill brings strength in depth from his role as one of the top team with the UK Gambling Commission."

Brear is currently making preparations to move to Gibraltar where he will step into his new role October 1st. He expressed his satisfaction with the new position, ""I feel very privileged to be taking up such an important post at such a critical time. The [Gibraltar] government has demonstrated its continuing commitment to licensing and hosting the world's strongest and most dynamic operators in remote gambling. With that comes a responsibility for all parties to ensure we help develop and meet the highest international standards around player protection, integrity of facilities and resilience of systems.

"Gibraltar has a first class reputation in these areas and as the industry comes under increasing demand and international scrutiny we must ensure that reputation goes from strength to strength. I am keen to build on the strong and productive relationships we have with all our operators, including our traditional gambling operators, and work with them to move our position forward."

Phill Brear spent 30 years as a British police officer where he was promoted to Deputy Chief Constable before going on to Director of Operations at GRA in October of 2005. He gained an impressive amount of experience in many vital areas of the industry, including the investigation of 2,5000 British gambling operators, staff and systems supervision, and played a key role in the development of the UK's gambling regulations. Brear also spent a good deal of time getting to know important industry figures in the European gambling market as a member of the International Association of Gambling Regulators and the European Gambling Regulators Forum.