MERKUR Casino UK Appoints Dan Whitlam as Head of Compliance

United Kingdom.- 24 September 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com MERKUR Casino UK has appointed Dan Whitlam as its new Head of Compliance as the business strengthens regulatory oversight, safer gambling and player-protection capabilities.

Whitlam will formally take up the position on 28 September 2026.

Reporting to the CFO

In his new role, Whitlam will report directly to MERKUR Casino UK Chief Financial Officer Egemen Coskun.

His remit will span several regulatory and operational areas across the business.

Broad Compliance Mandate

Whitlam will provide strategic leadership and independent oversight across:

  • Regulatory compliance.
  • Safer gambling.
  • Player protection.
  • Anti-money laundering.
  • Financial crime prevention.
  • Data protection.
  • Governance.

Regulatory Engagement

He will also lead the company’s engagement with external authorities and industry stakeholders.

These will include:

  • The Gambling Commission.
  • Local authorities.
  • Industry bodies.
  • Other regulatory stakeholders.

Portfolio-Wide Responsibility

The position covers MERKUR Casino UK’s wider operating portfolio.

This includes:

  • High Street Gaming Centres.
  • Bingo.
  • Casino operations.

The company intends to maintain consistent compliance standards across each area.

Succession Planning

The appointment also forms part of MERKUR’s succession planning.

Amanda Kiernan is scheduled to retire in April 2027.

Bringing Whitlam into the business well in advance is intended to provide continuity.

Structured Handover

MERKUR said the timing allows for an orderly handover before Kiernan’s departure.

The transition period will give the business time to transfer knowledge, responsibilities and established processes.

Gambling Commission Experience

Whitlam brings direct experience from Britain’s gambling regulator.

He previously held senior positions at the Gambling Commission involving areas such as licensing, compliance, enforcement and operator supervision.

Experience Through Regulatory Change

His period at the Commission coincided with significant changes across the British gambling sector.

His work included involvement with areas such as:

  • Operational transformation.
  • White Paper and Gambling Act Review consultations.
  • Gambling Survey for Great Britain.
  • Fourth National Lottery licence.
  • Operator data initiatives.

GamCare Background

Whitlam also brings experience from GamCare.

That role provided additional expertise in safer gambling and the protection of vulnerable customers.

Combined Perspective

MERKUR highlighted the combination of regulatory, operational and player-protection knowledge.

The business wants compliance decisions to be informed both by regulatory expectations and by an understanding of day-to-day operations.

Mark Schertle

MERKUR Casino UK Chief Operating Officer Mark Schertle said the appointment was part of the company’s succession planning.

He also highlighted Whitlam’s experience across major gaming organisations and at the Gambling Commission.

Egemen Coskun

Chief Financial Officer Egemen Coskun said Whitlam brings strong knowledge of:

  • Gaming regulation.
  • Regulatory risk.
  • Safer gambling.
  • Player protection.
  • Regulator engagement.

MERKUR expects that background to support the continuing development of its compliance strategy.

Changing Regulatory Environment

The appointment comes as British gambling operators continue adapting to an evolving regulatory framework.

New rules and expectations require businesses to review systems, policies and operational processes continually.

Vulnerable Customer Protection

MERKUR placed particular emphasis on maintaining strong protections for vulnerable customers.

It wants regulatory requirements to be embedded consistently across the organisation.

Whitlam’s Approach

Whitlam said he intends to build on MERKUR’s existing compliance culture.

He plans to combine insight from his time at the Gambling Commission and GamCare with his operational and player-protection experience.

Practical Compliance

Whitlam described an effective compliance function as more than a department that simply rejects proposals or polices a business.

His approach is based on understanding operations, identifying risk early and helping teams find workable solutions.

Sustainable Growth

The broader objective is to enable the business to grow sustainably while maintaining high standards.

That requires balancing:

  • Risk management.
  • Compliance.
  • Player protection.
  • Operational practicality.
  • Commercial development.

AML and Financial Crime

Anti-money laundering and financial crime prevention will form key parts of the role.

British gambling operators face extensive obligations around customer risk, transaction monitoring and financial controls.

Data Protection

Data protection will also fall within Whitlam’s remit.

Handling customer information has become an increasingly important part of governance and regulatory compliance.

Independent Oversight

MERKUR stressed the importance of independent compliance oversight.

The aim is to ensure commercial decisions continue to be assessed from regulatory and player-protection perspectives.

Industry Context

The British gambling sector continues to implement reforms arising from the Gambling Act Review and 2023 White Paper.

Operators are adapting to new requirements across safer gambling, customer protection, product, marketing and compliance.

Compliance functions are therefore becoming increasingly strategic across the market.

Next Steps and Impact

Dan Whitlam will formally start his new position on 28 September.

He will work alongside the existing compliance structure during the months leading up to Amanda Kiernan’s planned retirement in April 2027.

The appointment strengthens MERKUR Casino UK’s strategy of combining regulatory compliance, player protection and sustainable growth across its British operations.

Editó: @fonta

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