Twenty years of EGR

Ian Chuter Independent consultant (Ex-Ladbrokes COO – digital 2016-2018)

Simon Collins Executive chairman, Backstageplay Inc (Co-founder, Gaming Realms 2018-2019)

I also remember Think Bingo sponsoring an EGR drinks event. Dylan Schlosberg only did it as he had some spare funds on an affiliate business; he greeted me and said he was selling out to one of the many poker-themed companies. I suggested it would make more sense to work with a fellow bingo group, and that’s how we combined their brands with Foxy to build the most significant footprint on the global-dotcom bingo network. Two powerful instances, both powered by EGR.

Chris Welch CCO, LeoVegas Group (Ex-PKR CEO 2015-2017)

Peter Nolan Group R&D director, Digitain (Customer operations director, Sky Betting and Gaming 2003-2009)

Mark Blandford Board observer, FSB Technology (Executive director, Sportingbet 1997-2007)

Highs

• going live on 15 October 1998 as the very first British bookmaker to accept online bets • listing Sportingbet PLC on AIM in January 2001, which then moved up to the Official List of the London Stock Exchange on 14 May 2010 • the excitement of new markets and new products • M&A activity including buying Paradise Poker and Sportsbook.com • winning a variety of awards – very humbling • as a sector investor working with young, motivated founders and management teams • the people – both within Sportingbet and the wider industry – many of whom I count as friends.

Lows

James Bennett PR director, Receptional (Former editor and head of content, EGR 2010-2013)

Jake Pollard Freelance editor/writer, Earnings + More (Former EGR editor 2008-2010)

The pace of growth at the time was astounding in many ways. At the same time, legislators were zeroing in on operators with regulations and, in some cases, dramatic arrests of senior industry executives. Luckily those tumultuous days are over and in 2022 it’s particularly satisfying to see the broad regulation of the industry in North America.