The team at Bird & Bird LLP possesses ‘strong industry knowledge across multiple jurisdictions’, with particular strengths in regulatory work, data protection, and dispute resolution. The firm’s intellectual property and technology specialisms have also cemented it’s place as a go-to firm for sports betting providers. ‘Market leader’ Andrew Danson heads up the practice with expertise in gambling regulatory advice, and recently led the team acting for Allwyn on its successful application for the National Lottery licence. Simon Fielder advises online gambling clients on a range of M&A matters, while Robert Turner assists sports rights holders on their transactions with gambling operators. Recently made-up partner Elizabeth Dunn specialises in online gambling regulation and commercial gambling matters, including advising clients in relation to gambling sponsorship arrangements.

Drawing on the firm’s full-service offering, the ‘well-resourced’ team at CMS has considerable expertise in multi-jurisdictional regulatory reviews as well as day-to-day licensing advice and litigation matters. Coupled with the firm's historical proficiency in new media and technology, the practice is perfectly positioned to assist clients in the expanding remote gambling sector. With ‘vast experience in the gambling sector’, practice head David Zeffman regularly advises the biggest names on the market on strategic transactions and contentious issues. Anna Soilleux-Mills has been highlighted by industry experts as a key regulatory advisor, while litigation expert Tamsin Blow continues to assist clients with anti-money laundering and social responsibility matters. Senior associate Alasdair Lamb is also recommended for his work with numerous B2C gambling operators and B2B games suppliers.

The ‘hugely knowledgeable and very approachable’ team at Harris Hagan has specialised expertise in advising gaming clients on corporate transactions, regulation compliance investigations, and licence reviews. Drawing on over three decades’ experience, Julian Harris is a recognised expert on both national and international gambling laws. John Hagan jointly leads the team together with Bahar Alaeddini, and regularly faces instructions from commercial law firms, private equity firms, and banks to provide expertise in respect of corporate investments and transactions, while Alaeddini continues to advise the world’s largest gambling businesses as well as start-ups, governments, and trade associations. Associate David Whyte‘s industry knowledge is instrumental in his advice to clients facing enforcement actions by the Gambling Commission. Hilary Stewart-Jones supports the practice as a consultant.

With expertise in both regulatory and commercial matters, and a particular focus on the remote gaming sector, the team at Ince & Co provide expert in-depth advice across numerous jurisdictions. Additionally, the broad practice regularly assists clients with anti-money laundering and data protection compliance, sanctions risk, and regulatory compliance audits. With a wealth of industry experience, Andrew Cotton expertly advises clients on licensing matters and regulatory breaches and enforcement. Practice co-head Philip Somarakis is a licensing specialist, often instructed by high-profile land-based and remote gambling providers seeking gambling licenses on an international scale. Andrew Tait jointly leads the team from Gibraltar, handling complex gambling regulation issues and commercial contracts. Alon Domb is also recommended for assisting gambling clients with M&A transactions, corporate real estate, and business affairs.

As a go-to name for international corporate clients, Mishcon de Reya LLP handles the full spectrum of gaming and betting mandates including licensing and compliance work, regulatory issues and commercial matters. The team has also recently been active in a variety of corporate transactions in the sector and assisted DraftKings with the regulatory approvals required for its acquisition of Golden Nugget Online Gaming. Nick Nocton recently took over as head of the practice, which also includes Susan Breen, who advises global gambling operators, brand owners, game developers and software platform providers on corporate, commercial and regulatory mandates. Stuart McMaster, who excels in issues involving overlapping regulatory regimes, and regulatory specialist Niki Stephens are also key names to note.

Regarded by one client as 'the preeminent advisor in the gambling sector,' Wiggin LLP's team handles a broad range of regulatory, corporate and commercial work. The practice is co-headed by Stephen Ketteley, an online gambling specialist with significant experience in gaming and sports betting; according to one client, there is 'no-one better to guide clients through the regulatory minefield'. Jason Chess jointly leads the team, advising leading industry players such as Flutter Entertainment as well as the Betting & Gaming Council. David McLeish, who previously held the role of general counsel at Playtech, has a wealth of industry expertise and regularly assists with significant transactions in the industry. Also recommended is recently promoted partner Chris Elliott, who possesses 'an encyclopaedic knowledge of UK regulation' and focuses exclusively on online gambling. The firm recently recruited senior associate Bethan Lloyd, previously head of legal (commercial) at William Hill.

McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP acts for numerous leading names in the industry including betting companies, gaming operators, and payment services providers. The team regularly handles high-profile gambling regulatory and enforcement work, as well as anti-money laundering and compliance issues. Practice head Simon Airey specialises in global investigations as well as financial and regulatory crime, often working with major providers including Entain and bet365.

Described as ‘agile and commercial’, the team at Memery Crystal (part of RBG Legal Services) regularly assists market-leading clients in both online and land-based gambling, lotteries, and governments on a range of domestic and cross-jurisdictional matters. Practice head Carl Rohsler has significant experience advising regulators around the world, as well as working closely on with high-profile law firms seeking advice on complex gambling matters. Lesley Gregory supports the team with expertise in capital markets and M&A work with public and private companies in the gaming sector. Commercial, IP, and technology specialist Jonathan Riley is also known for his deep knowledge of project structuring, shareholders’ agreements, and joint ventures, as well as anti-bribery and consumer protection regulations.

Northridge Law LLP‘s team has notable expertise in advising leading businesses in the gaming and betting sector, including major sports betting providers. Practice head Melanie Ellis  offers ‘brilliant’ regulatory, compliance, and licensing advice, including instruction on advertising and anti-money laundering procedures. With experience covering governance, corporate investments and M&A, Jon Walters handles commercial work for high-profile clients such as supporting Betway with its growing global sponsorship programme. Associate Tom Edmonds acts for leading B2C gambling companies, B2B games suppliers, and sports/betting integrity providers, while newly promoted partner Jamie Feldman has a particular focus on contentious and non-contentious employment issues in the sector.

The gaming and betting practice at Pinsent Masons LLP is notable for its domestic and international gambling regulatory advice to operators, suppliers, offshore corporate service providers, and insolvency practitioners. Team lead and global practice head Diane Mullenex is a 'true superstar' - with a dual qualification in France, she regularly leads on major cross-jurisdictional regulatory issues in collaboration with the firm's international offices. Drawing on over 40 years' experience, licensing specialist Audrey Ferrie supports clients on a broad range of regulatory obligations, while Gareth Jones has considerable expertise in corporate finance transactions, including IPOs, and M&A deals in the gaming sector.

The licensing and regulatory specialists at Poppleston Allen are ‘experts in their field’, regularly advising major gambling operators in the land-based and online gambling spaces. Practice head Nick Arron acts for numerous national leisure operators, and has particular expertise in web based operations; Arron has also been supporting the bingo industry throughout the pandemic. Having recently made partner, Richard Bradley leads on complex licensing matters and has assisted in the development of bespoke compliance regimes for various operators. Imogen Moss and London-based licensing expert David Inzani are also recommended.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner provides regulatory and commercial advice to a diverse client base including gambling and betting operators, gaming platforms, and financial institutions. Additionally, the practice provides licensing expertise to leisure centres, online providers, and land-based casinos. Associate director Jeremy Bark has taken over as practice head following the departure of former post-holder Craig Baylis. Bark is a licensing specialist with considerable experience dealing with regulatory enforcement activity by the Gambling Commission, and has appeared before numerous tribunals as a solicitor advocate with higher rights of audience.

With 'unrivalled' specialist expertise in the gaming and betting sector, the team at Costigan King advises industry clients on commercial transactions, regulatory and compliance issues, and intellectual property ownership matters. Firm CEO and solicitor advocate Arianne King heads up the practice with significant experience establishing complex offshore company structures in major gambling jurisdictions, and has recently been advising clients in the online gaming space on the growing interface with blockchain and cryptocurrency. King is supported by Lynn McCaw, an independent business law consultant, and associate Nadia Armah.

Fladgate LLP ‘s practice is largely focused on advising gambling and gaming clients on commercial rights exploitation, corporate activity and fundraising, and complex litigation. With a specialism in eSports, the team regularly handles partnership agreements, sponsorship deals, and the drafting of tournament rules in respect of gambling regulations. Practice head James Earl  has significant credibility dealing with stakeholders on an international scale, while Alan Wetterhahn handles commercial work for online gaming platforms and B2B and B2C eSports providers. M&A specialist David Robinson and regulatory expert Alex Haffner are also recommended.

Working between the firm's Cardiff headquarters and London, the team at Hugh James is highly skilled at handling complex online and land-based matters with a particular focus on sports betting and regulatory work. Commercial head Aled Walters leads the team with significant expertise in advising on M&A transactions and high-value IP licensing issues in the gaming sector. Martin Jones heads the regulatory department, advising on gambling licensing issues and enforcement procedures by the Gambling Commission. Neil Paramore recently joined the team as a consultant, having previously held the role of CFO at Novomatic.

Regularly providing a service that is 'second to none', the advisers at Keystone Law are highly experienced in handling complex licensing review applications, as well as advising both online and land-based gambling sites on corporate M&A transactions. Sector specialist Richard Williams has key expertise in licensing, anti money laundering procedures, and social responsibility, and is regarded as 'reliable, helpful and an expert he is in the gambling field'. Stephen Rodd provides cross-jurisdictional tech-based commercial advice to e-gaming companies, and Niall McCann provides due diligence and corporate support for gambling transactions.

With a focus on online gaming and eSports, the team at US heavyweight Latham & Watkins offers M&A, licensing agreement negotiation, and financing advice to a broad range of clients. Commercial expert Mike Turner heads up the practice, drawing on three decades' experience advising clients in the gaming space on European and transatlantic equity fundraisings and acquisitions. Deborah Kirk regularly handles IP ownership and data privacy matters for major operators, including advising 888 Holdings on their acquisition of William Hill's non-US businesses, and Christian McDermott assists clients with regulatory compliance issues. Patrick Mitchell and Rachael Astin are also recommended.

The gaming and betting team at RPC has a core specialism in advising interactive entertainment clients, including e-sports and online gaming platforms. Practice co-head Jeremy Drew is described as a 'great tactician, leader and strategist' - he regularly handles high-profile disputes, drawing on experience in licensing, and sports data and content matters. The team is jointly led by senior associate Josh Charalambous, who acts for B2B betting technology providers and sports betting companies. Commercial contract and licensing specialist Paul Joukador also supports the team.