CMS advises on regulatory compliance and the obtaining of licences, and has expertise in online and new media technology. The firm also handles employment litigation and data protection matters in the gambling industry. Practice head David Zeffman is an expert in strategic transactions, while newly promoted partner Anna Soilleux-Mills advises on the commercial and regulatory aspects of M&A transactions in the gambling industry. Clients include gambling and betting companies as well as broadcasters, sports rights holders, publishers and advertisers.

Harris Hagan advises on operating licence applications, M&A, due diligence, affiliate marketing and sponsorship agreements. The 'astute’ John Hagan and the ‘highly experienced’ Julian Harris head the practice and specialise in gambling and licensing law, as well as on online and land-based gambling law. The ‘exceptional and creative’ Bahar Alaeddini advises start-ups, private equity firms and banks on corporate control applications, investor due diligence and the restructuring of group licences. The team was bolstered by the arrival of consultant Hilary Stewart-Jones from DLA Piper in May 2018.

Mishcon de Reya LLP has expertise in M&A transactions, gambling licensing regulations and defending regulatory enforcement proceedings. The practice is experienced in drafting and negotiating commercial gambling and platform contracts, and in advising on anti-money laundering procedures and data protection measures. Nick Nocton advises on eSports and virtual currencies, while practice head Susan Breen assists with migration plans for the transfer of businesses across different jurisdictions. Niki Stephens, who was promoted to partner in April 2019, advises on enforcement actions by the Gambling Commission.

Wiggin LLP has expertise in providing regulatory, corporate and commercial advice, which involves assistance with regulatory investigations and international risk strategies, ongoing advice on compliance and licensing, assistance with M&A transactions and business-to-business arrangements, and advice on advertisement contracts. The team regularly represents clients from the betting, poker, casino, lottery, media and sports sectors, while Stephen Ketteley, who co-heads the practice with Jason Chess, is particularly active for clients from the online gambling sector.

Bird & Bird LLP provides gambling and betting regulatory advice and assists with the advertising of gambling and the establishment of commercial relationships between the sports and gambling industries, as well as with content streaming, software supply and payment processing deals. The firm is also experienced in technology transfer, data protection and intellectual property work. Andrew Danson regularly advises on online gambling regulations, and senior associate Elizabeth Dunn has expertise in software supply, content streaming and hosting.

Kemp Little LLP specialises in online and mobile gambling, providing advice on the development of micro-payments and premium rate services, in-app purchases and digital currencies, as well as on software development and licensing. The practice also advises on regulated financial services, including spread bets and advice on the payment services arrangements that underpin the gambling industry. Promotional competitions and prize draws are another area of expertise. Practice head Susan Biddle focuses on gambling regulated by the Gambling Commission.

Ince provides regulatory and commercial advice in the gambling sector, including assisting with domestic and cross-border licensing queries, criminal proceedings and the defence of licences. The practice is also experienced in advising on sponsorship contracts and trade mark and domain name protection, as well as on corporate structuring. Alex Ktorides advises on the implementation of measures to comply with anti-money laundering, bribery and corruption legislation. Andrew Cotton advises on advertisement regulations and assists overseas-based remote operators and software suppliers with their applications for operating licences from the Gambling Commission. Andrew Tait relocated to the firm's Gibraltar office.

Memery Crystal LLP advises clients from the gambling and lotteries industries on market entry regulations and provides comparative regulatory advice regarding the applicable licensing regime across different jurisdictions. The firm is also experienced in advising on disputes in the gambling sector. The ‘charismatic and helpful’ Carl Rohsler heads the practice and has expertise in M&A transactions in the gambling industry.

Pinsent Masons LLP provides regulatory advice to gambling sector clients and assists with strategic projects such as business expansions and financing, the introduction of new business-critical systems, relocations and strategically significant disputes. The firm also advises on M&A transactions, tax, employment, data privacy and pensions matters. The team assists online operators with cross-border transactions and is experienced in providing both contentious and non-contentious licensing advice. Diane Mullenex, who is noted for her particular expertise in the French gaming market, and Glasgow-based legal director Audrey Ferrie lead the practice.

Nick Arron heads the practice at boutique licensing firm Poppleston Allen and advises bookmakers, bingo operators, family entertainment centres, gambling machine manufacturers and gambling centre arcades on licensing regulations. The practice also acts for online gambling operators and lotteries. The team is experienced in advising on compliance issues and also assists with regulatory negotiations with the Gambling Commission.

Taylor Wessing LLP is experienced in advising domestic and cross-border clients in the spread betting industry and has expertise in binary bets, as well as in their interface with financial services regulatory issues. The practice also advises gambling start-ups on the obtainment of licences and provides regulatory advice on their business models, and advises unregulated clients in the gambling industry on regulatory issues, digital media, promotional activities and licensing projects. Other aspects of the team’s work include contractual advice and assistance with data privacy and intellectual property. Practice head Graham Hann has extensive experience in eGaming.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP handles the licensing and regulatory aspects of both online and offline gambling, and regularly assists with the application for new licences. The firm also has expertise in online gambling issues, which involves assistance with the regulatory and corporate aspects of online business models; advises on contentious gambling matters; and assists clients in relation to enforcement investigations by the Gambling Commission. Practice head Craig Baylis has particular experience with licensing issues.

DLA Piper provides regulatory advice in the gambling, betting and media sectors. The firm is also experienced in assisting with licensing agreements, commercial contracts, litigation matters and tax-related issues. Nick Fitzpatrick acts as the global co-chair for the media, sports and entertainment sector and advises on advertisement in the gambling and betting sector. Hilary Stewart-Jones left the practice in June 2018 to join Harris Hagan as a consultant.

Fladgate LLP assists with corporate structuring in the gambling industry as well as with licensing matters. The firm is also experienced in advising on tax matters, gambling disputes, and software development and provision. The practice is led by Grant Gordon, who has expertise in advising on the regulatory issues arising in due diligence processes, and the appropriate warranties to ensure gambling law compliance within corporate transactions. 

Hugh James handles both online and land-based gambling matters, with a particular technical expertise within sports betting and licensing. The firm also advises on anti-money laundering measures and dispute resolution, as well as regulations concerning software development and IT protection. Cardiff-based practice head Aled Walters has experience in advising high-profile gaming companies on corporate and commercial issues such as M&A transactions and on IP licensing.

K&L Gates LLP advises on corporate, commercial, litigation, tax, real estate and competition law matters in the gambling industry. Practice head Warren Phelops is experienced in advising on the drafting and negotiation of commercial agreements, including white label, software licensing, hedging, technology supply and IP licensing contracts. Other areas of expertise include advice on sponsorship agreements and payment service provisions. The practice acts for both online and retail operators. Martin King was promoted to partner in March 2018.

Keystone Law boosted its practice with the recruitment of consultants Richard Williams and Niall McCann from Joelson in April 2019. The team advises both land-based and online gambling clients on regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering measures and prosecutions arising from breaches of licence conditions. The practice also assists with the drafting and improving of policies and procedures, and licence review proceedings, which regularly involve the negotiation of financial settlements. Another area of expertise is the provision of advice to social media companies about the legality of proposed offerings with or without the need for licensing.