Lottery picks a boss the watchdog penalised

Allwyn UK, which runs the National Lottery until 2034, named Phil Walker its temporary chief executive from 7 September 2026. The Gambling Commission — the official body overseeing betting — punished him personally in 2024 over failures that let criminal money and terrorist funds flow unchecked at William Hill, leading to a record £19.2m fine in 2023. MPs from multiple parties have questioned whether he is fit for the role. The lottery serves about 20 million players.