Sanctioned executive picked to run National Lottery

Allwyn UK, the National Lottery's operator until 2034, named Phil Walker interim chief executive from 7 September 2026. The Gambling Commission sanctioned him personally in 2024 over "widespread" money laundering and terrorist financing control failures at William Hill, which drew a record £19.2m fine in 2023. Cross-party MPs have questioned his fitness to the Commission. The lottery serves about 20 million players.