A significant leadership change has occurred at the heart of the UK's regulated betting and gaming industry. The chair of its principal trade association has departed after a tenure defined by navigating one of the most turbulent and transformative periods in the sector's modern history. This departure marks a pivotal moment, inviting reflection on an era of intense scrutiny, sweeping regulatory reform, and an industry's concerted effort to reshape its social contract. The outgoing chair's journey from the political arena to the helm of this trade body proved to be strategically consequential. Assuming leadership shortly after the organisation's formation, he initially served as its chief executive before ascending to the chairmanship. This trajectory placed him at the steering wheel during a critical juncture, as the long-anticipated government review of gambling legislation finally culminated in a landmark white paper. His background in Westminster provided an invaluable lens through which to interpret the shifting political winds and engage with policymakers during a complex and often contentious legislative process. The core of his legacy is inextricably linked to the industry's push towards enhanced consumer protections. Under his oversight, the trade body introduced a comprehensive suite of safer gambling codes, encompassing dozens of new standards designed to create a more robust framework for player safety. This proactive move was widely seen as an attempt to align the industry with evolving public and political expectations ahead of formal government mandates. The period was characterised by a relentless focus on "raising standards," a phrase that became a mantra, signalling a deliberate shift towards prioritising social responsibility alongside commercial interests. This was not merely a public relations exercise; it represented a fundamental operational shift for member companies, involving significant investment in new technologies and processes aimed at identifying and supporting customers at risk. His tenure, however, was far from smooth sailing. Beyond the overarching shadow of regulatory reform, the industry faced direct financial pressures, including announced increases in taxation—a blow that squeezed revenues and forced difficult strategic decisions. Simultaneously, the sector grappled with a constant barrage of media criticism and the ongoing challenge of balancing commercial freedom with social responsibility. In his farewell remarks, he struck a tone of proud defiance mixed with pragmatic acknowledgement, championing the industry's economic contributions and the thousands of jobs it supports nationwide, particularly in communities linked to sports like horseracing, while also expressing pride in the safer gambling advancements achieved. The reaction from within the industry has been one of unanimous respect, highlighting the diplomatic and strategic role he played. Senior figures from major operators have praised his "tireless" work in establishing the trade body as a credible and authoritative voice. They specifically credited his experience and judgment as invaluable during the policy upheaval, facilitating what they describe as "constructive engagement" with government departments and the regulator. His successor as chief executive of the body offered similar accolades, pointing to his clarity of purpose and the trusted relationships he forged in political and regulatory circles, which lent the industry a seat at the table during crucial negotiations. This leadership transition arrives at a moment of fragile equilibrium. The broad contours of the white paper are now public, but the detailed implementation through regulatory mandates is still underway. The industry stands at a crossroads between its past practices and a future demanding greater accountability. The departure of such a central figure, who embodied the bridge between the industry's commercial interests and its reformed responsibilities, raises immediate questions about the path forward. Will the momentum for higher standards be maintained with equal vigour? How will the trade body's relationship with a potentially new government evolve? Ultimately, this chapter closes on a note of unfinished business. The individual's exit symbolises the end of the initial, reactive phase of the gambling reform process—the phase of anticipation and proposal. The baton now passes to a new generation of leadership, whose task will be the less glamorous but equally critical work of embedding these reforms into the daily fabric of the industry. Their success will be measured not by the creation of codes, but by their tangible impact on reducing harm and rebuilding public trust. The legacy of this era will be determined by whether the foundations laid during this period of intense transition prove strong enough to support a sustainable and socially conscious industry for the years to come. The game, as they say, is still very much on.