• 'Best known for its work for regulators including the GMC, the Gambling Commission, the British Horseracing Authority ...' Legal 500 2014
  • 'QEB Hollis Whiteman is frequently instructed by a breadth of regulators, including  the SRA, Gambling Commission and Bar Standards Board, but has also developed a focus in regulatory defence work'  Chambers UK 2015
  • 'It attracts the most significant and substantial criminal instructions on both the prosecution and defence sides' Chambers UK 2017

Gaming & Licensing

Our experience of Sports Law, Professional Discipline and Licensing uniquely places us to deal with cases in this field.

Overview

Chambers brings both its Criminal & Regulatory expertise to bear in this field of Regulation, particularly in the areas of gambling, sport, the security industry, and licensing for liquor and entertainment.

Our Experience

Members of QEB Hollis Whiteman are specialists in the regulation of gambling. They appear regularly before the Regulatory Panel of the Gambling Commission and have particular experience of regulatory licence reviews, criminal offences under the Gambling Act and matters relating to the National Lottery. 

Recent cases include the prosecution of a CEO of a company who mismanaged a hospital lottery, causing huge losses to the hospital; representing a large online bookmaker facing regulatory review and suspension; acting for the Gambling Commission in their case against Entain (the gambling firm behind Ladbrokes and Coral) which resulted in a regulatory fine of £17 million being paid by the company.

Our Barristers also act for sports regulatory bodies such as the British Horse-racing Authority and the Rugby Football Union (RFU), as well as for individual sports people in connection with licensing issues. Some of our members have been appointed as members of the RFU and Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Judicial Panel as specialist panellists.

Chambers advises and represents the Security Industry Authority on licensing appeals and disputes. 

Members are also instructed by licensing authorities, businesses and individuals, in connection with liquor and entertainment licensing applications, appeals, disputes and enforcement matters.

 

News

Two men convicted in first Social Gaming Prosecution

On 6 February 2017, Dylan Rigby and Craig Douglas were convicted of offering and advertising a...

Articles

The Personal Management Licence regime: An impossible tightrope?

Tom Orpin-Massey of QEB Hollis Whiteman Chambers co-authors with David Whyte of Harris Hagan an article considering the Personal Management Licence (PML) regime and the difficulties PML holders may face. Personal management licences issued by the...

A practical guide to Gambling Commission enforcement action

Philip Evans QC & Kyan Pucks along with Nick Nocton & Adam Epstein  from  Mish Con De Reya  co author a practical guide to Gambling Commission enforcement action for EGR Compliance.  The article can be accessed in PDF...

The Gambling Commission: Constructive Engagement

For gambling companies, the Covid-19 crisis has further intensified political and regulatory scrutiny of their activities and increased the possibility of interactions with the GB regulator. Adam Epstein of Mishcon de Reya , together with Philip Evans QC...

Gambling Commission Report: Far More Than an End of Year Report Card

The Gambling Commission's enforcement report makes for essential reading for industry lawyers and compliance officers at gambling operators alike.

All change for Commercial Gambling?

Philip Evans QC and Tom Orpin-Massey wrote for the New Law Journal on the UK Gambling Commission’s revised suite of enforcement documents.

UKGC's new enforcement suite: a quiet revolution?

Philip Evans QC and Tom Orpin-Massey wrote for the iGaming Business magazine on the UK Gambling Commission’s revised enforcement policy documents.