THE Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) on Monday announced that Executive Director Vitus Evans will complete his tenure in April 2026, after nine years in the post.

A statement from the BGLC board said Evans advised that he will be moving on to pursue new professional opportunities when his current contract expires.

“Vitus has been an exceptional leader during one of the most transformative periods in Jamaica’s gaming regulatory history,” a BGLC news release quotes chairman of the board of commissioners Ryan Reid. “His legal expertise, strategic vision, and commitment to regulatory excellence have modernised our operations and strengthened our capacity to protect consumers while enabling a thriving gaming industry. We are grateful for his contributions and wish him continued success.”

Deputy Chairman Wayne Chen also commended Evans, saying, “Under Vitus’s leadership the commission has evolved from traditional oversight methods to an enhanced regulatory framework that positions us for the future. His dedication to responsible gaming — particularly his focus on youth protection and harm minimisation — reflects the values we hold as an organisation. We thank him for his service and leadership.”

The BGLC said Evans, whose tenure began in May 2017, has played a critical role in the transformation of the commission and believes this is an appropriate time for transition.

He led the commission through a period of substantial modernisation and strategic reform, spearheading the implementation of the Gaming Management Information System that enables real time monitoring of more than 26,000 licensed gaming machines across Jamaica, and advanced the legislative framework for online gaming regulation.

“Under his leadership the commission authorised Jamaica’s first online gaming licensees and strengthened anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks in alignment with international standards,” the BGLC said.

The commission added that Evans also championed youth protection initiatives, in partnership with Rise Life Management Services, and provided strategic direction for the ongoing merger of Jamaica’s gaming regulatory bodies into a unified entity.