UK Tote Group nets new head of compliance

UK Tote Group has appointed former Gambling Commission compliance manager Simon Hartley in a new head of compliance role.

EGR understands Hartley has joined the firm with immediate effect and will report into UK Tote Group interim director of compliance James Harrison.

Hartley will hold responsibility for the group’s day-to-day compliance operations and dealings with regulators and will be based in Tote Group’s Wigan headquarters.

In a statement, the horseracing pools betting firm highlighted Hartley’s prior experience working for the UKGC as being a significant asset for the business in dealing with UK gambling regulatory issues.

“This is a very important area of the business and we are pleased to welcome someone with his knowledge and experience to our team,” UK Tote Group said.

Hartley has spent the last three and a half years with the UKGC, specialising in compliance, investigation and enforcement of both land-based and online gambling operators.

Prior to this, he spent eight years working as a licensing officer within Oldham council’s licensing and gambling department during which he researched, authored and implemented a statutory review of the authority’s ‘Statement of Gambling Policy’.

Hartley replaces former UK Tote Group head of compliance Alexandra Marsh who left the industry at the end of 2019.

UK Tote Group recently inked two horseracing access deals with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and former Swedish monopoly operator ATG to access international horseracing betting pools as well as streaming rights.