Bally’s CEO Robeson Reeves has said the Gambling Commission has done a “great job” in the UK, proclaiming the regulator has helped build a solid foundation for sustainable growth.
Speaking to EGR following the announcement that Intralot would snap up Bally’s International Interactive arm in a €2.7bn cash-plus-stock deal, Reeves championed the UK’s position in the new business.
A Regulus Partners had described the combined business as “overexposed” to the UK, with around 90% of Bally’s International Interactive revenue coming from the market.
On a combined basis, the UK would account for around 60% of total group revenue, according to the boutique analyst firm.
As per Bally’s Q1 2025 result, UK revenue was up a further 4.9% year on year. The business runs the Jackpotjoy and Bally Casino brands in the market, among others.
When pressed on whether he considers Bally’s to have an over exposure to the UK, Reeves said he wouldn’t categorise the operator’s presence in the market as such.
He added: “I would say that I want to make money in more territories, but I do not see risk in the UK market. I see continued growth there. We have sustainable players; so players actually don’t spend more than they can afford.
“The regulatory environment means that you have a business which should consistently grow and have a consistent user base that is retained long term.”
Bally’s has been traditionally igaming-focused in the UK, since its days operating under the Gamesys banner.
Last summer, the business added sports betting to its product mix, initially to Jackpotjoy and then Bally Casino.
Touching on the role of the Gambling Commission in promoting a positive environment to operate in, Reeves said the body was a “fantastic regulator [that] creates barriers to entry”.
He remarked: “You might have [a negative] opinion of the UK regulator. The UK regulator has done a great job because they have focused on ensuring that the regulated market stays large and the unregulated market doesn’t grow.
“They haven’t caused significant displacement, and they have no intention of that. They want to make sure that every player plays within the perimeter of the regulated market.
“I’m probably the one person who would never say a bad word about the Gambling Commission because I think they have done a fantastic job,” he concluded.
However, some concerns have been raised over the Gambling Commission’s role in the growth of the black market, such as affordability checks.
Speaking at iGB L!VE yesterday, 2 July, director of major policy project Helen Rhodes stated the regulator “doesn’t have specific regulatory requirements related to affordability”.
The post Gambling Commission has done a “fantastic job”, says Bally’s CEO first appeared on EGR Intel.
Robeson Reeves insists the regulator has supported sustainable growth in the licensed market, while helping put up high barriers to entry to prevent bad actors from accessing consumers
The post Gambling Commission has done a “fantastic job”, says Bally’s CEO first appeared on EGR Intel.