Policy, advocacy, reports, consultations, media communications, analytics, data standards, membership growth.Project Manager for the Availability of Betting Products Report (2024)

Sports betting and integrity policy specialist. Detailed policy analysis and delivery of practical solutions to potential hazards to client business models for wider gambling industry. Effective communication of client objectives, using trade and wider media platforms where appropriate. Key activities and examples of projects include:Proposed and project managed the Optimum Betting Market study (see https://ibia.bet/an-optimum-betting-market/) Proposed and developed the Data Standards process (see https://ibia.bet/data-standards/) Project managed and provided the private sector response to the integrity review of tennisDeveloped the private sector response to the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of SportDetailed follow-up report in 2014 to the 2010 study on sports betting commercial and integrity issuesRegulatory framework consultation responsesPlacement of key messages in media outletsClients have included: International Betting Integrity Association, Betting and Gaming Council, Branschföreningen för Onlinespe, Jdigital, Nederlandse Online Gambling Associatie, European Gaming and Betting Association, European Sports Security Association, Association of British Bookmakers, and the Remote Gambling Association.

The promotion of regulated and licensed private sector online cross-border gambling services. Chair of the RGA Sports Betting Group and development of associated policy positions. Attendance at RGA Executive Committee meetings and provision of policy updates to members.Management of in-country consultants and the development of country reports, notably advancing proposals for gross profits rather than a turnover based tax regime for online gambling operators. First point of contact for media enquiries and the development of RGA press contacts to promote sector arguments.Identifying and analysing national and transnational organisation e.g. European Commission, policy initiatives, notably those aimed at the commercial and integrity aspects of sports betting. Developing robust arguments, promoting RGA policy positions and employing those to best effect in: governmental and parliamentary consultations; articles for industry publications; and press releases. The development of briefing material e.g. for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), seeking to influence national and transnational governmental and parliamentary discussions benefiting RGA members.

Management of a written and oral consultation with the key international sports betting stakeholders (IOC, FIFA etc) surrounding the availability of betting on sporting events. Production of a detailed (165 page) evidence-based report analysing the key sports betting issues and the validity of those positions.Provision of practical and effective policy recommendations to the RGA on how best to meet the challenges presented by betting on sporting events.

Maintained effective dialogue and policy communication with a range of UK and EU stakeholders (UK representative at EU Working Groups and Directors’ meetings) including senior executives of sports bodies. Devised Terms of Reference and established Sports Stakeholder and Devolved Administration Working Groups to assist the formation of UK-wide EU Sports policy. Worked with lawyers, OGDs and cricketing authorities to develop policy options surrounding the potential prohibition of ECB-Zimbabwe bilateral cricketing tours. Provision of a cost/benefit analysis and eliciting supporting positions to secure agreement to UK withdraw from the CoE’s Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport. Assessment of the impact of the Lisbon Treaty and its proposed competence for sport, and provision of Ministerial briefing and speaking notes for the EU Bill debate.Delivery of the UK policy position on the EU Commission’s White Paper on Sport, analysing the White Paper’s impact and coordinating cross-Whitehall policy agreement, subsequently securing NSID (EU) Cabinet Committee clearance. Completion of the following high-level Parliamentary processes: o Explanatory Memorandum detailing Government’s EU White Paper position;o Subsequent Ministerial policy progress updates to the Commons and Lords EU Scrutiny Committees; ando Government response to the CMS Select Committee’s White Paper Report.

Provision of Ministerial briefings (oral and written), industry speeches, debates and PQs concerning betting, remote gambling, advertising, horse and greyhound racing.Policy development, Parliamentary agreement to and implementation of two Acts: Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Act 2004 and Gambling Act 2005. Stakeholder consultation and subsequent production of Government position and consultation papers over a range of complex policy issues, in particular:o analyzed the viability of the British pool betting product, the licensing options and the impact of EU competition law and OFT concerns; ando assessed evidence and evaluated the economic impact, legality and regulatory risk provided by betting exchanges.Delivery of a document detailing the regulatory requirements for the advertising of non-EEA licensed gambling services in the UK and the application procedure.Secured DA Cabinet Committee clearance and subsequently generated a Parliamentary Ministerial statement detailing a new Government policy direction. Proposed and managed:o negotiations with senior Greyhound and betting industry representatives, achieving a significant increase in bookmakers’ voluntary payments to the greyhound racing industry (nearly doubling to £14m in 3 years); ando a Betting Integrity Conference establishing links between UK sports and betting businesses designed to protect both from corrupt betting practices.