National Lottery operator appoints executive personally sanctioned by gambling regulator

Allwyn UK, which holds the National Lottery licence until 2034, named Phil Walker interim chief executive from 7 September 2026. The Gambling Commission sanctioned Walker personally in 2024 over "widespread and alarming" money laundering and terrorist financing control failures at William Hill, fined a record £19.2m in 2023. Cross-party MPs have written to the Commission questioning his fitness. The lottery serves roughly 20 million players.