When I was studying sociology at university, I didn’t imagine I’d end up building products in igaming.
My degree was quantitative and there was a small element of coding in it – we used R for statistical computing on large data sets. I realised I liked that way of thinking. I liked solving problems and using my brain in a more analytical way. But I hadn’t taken computer science at A-level or chosen it as a degree. I assumed I’d missed the boat on a career in tech.
It took a friend mentioning the Tech Academy graduate scheme at Sky Bet to change that. They were looking for people they could teach to code. If that conversation hadn’t happened, my career might have gone in a completely different direction. That’s why awareness of alternative routes into technology matters so much – especially for women who don’t see themselves reflected in traditional STEM pathways.
The engineering team was all-male, but I didn’t really think about it. To be honest, when you are a graduate and entering your first job, you can’t afford to be picky. At the time when I applied for the graduate scheme, I couldn’t think of doing anything else because it just seemed so amazing. Everyone you met was brilliant and friendly and it looked like a cool place to work
Defying perceptions
There’s a perception outside the sector that gambling companies are simply trying to drive volume at all costs. My experience has been more nuanced.
At Sky Bet and later within Flutter, I worked on projects focused on safer gambling innovation. One involved implementing deposit limits based on affordability data – assigning customers a weekly cap aligned with what they could spend sustainably. Another ensured that if a customer self-excluded or opted out of marketing on one brand, that information was communicated across all brands to prevent further contact.
Those projects required serious technical thinking and cross-team collaboration. More importantly, they reinforced something I’ve come to believe strongly: the technology we build influences customer behaviour. Engineering decisions are not neutral. They shape how products function in the real world.
If we want to build sustainable gambling products, the people designing and building them need to reflect a broad range of perspectives.
From operator to fintech
In October last year, I left Flutter and made the move to Yaspa. We’re a fintech focused on instant payments and identity services for igaming operators and the contrast has been significant. At Sky Bet, much of the infrastructure was already in place. At Yaspa, I’m working on greenfield projects, helping to build a new US product from the ground up. Being part of a scaling business at that stage of growth is exciting. You’re not just maintaining systems – you’re shaping them.
The gender imbalance remains familiar: in our Leeds tech hub, I’m one of just two women in a team of engineers. I’ve been fortunate to work with supportive managers and strong allies throughout my career. Both Flutter and Yaspa have active Women in Tech networks, which gave me access to senior women who advocated for me and created opportunities. That kind of support is powerful but relying on informal networks isn’t enough to shift an industry.
Beyond awareness days
Real change requires structural action. In my experience, companies that want more diverse teams need to start with practical steps. One of the simplest is rethinking hiring processes. Diverse interview panels can help mitigate unconscious bias. We’re naturally inclined to hire people who feel familiar to us. Broadening who sits in the room can change outcomes.
Awareness is another key factor. If I hadn’t been told about the Tech Academy, I wouldn’t have applied. Programmes such as Code First Girls, which focus on career switchers as well as graduates, are valuable because they widen the pipeline. Career changers bring different perspectives – whether from sociology, psychology or another discipline. That variety of thinking strengthens teams.
We also underestimate soft skills in engineering. Leadership, communication and being someone others feel comfortable working with are often seen as secondary to technical ability. In reality, they’re critical to building psychologically safe teams where people contribute openly.
Diverse teams aren’t just a moral goal or a recruitment metric. They influence how products are designed, how risk is considered and how customers are understood. If everyone building a product shares the same background and worldview, blind spots are inevitable.
In five years, I hope igaming tech looks more diverse not just in terms of gender, but background and experience. I’ve worked in diverse teams before, and they were some of the most collaborative and innovative environments I’ve been part of.
For women who think they’ve missed their opportunity because they didn’t take a traditional route into tech, my message is simple: you haven’t. There is more than one way in.
And if we are serious about innovation in this industry, we need to widen that door – because if we build diverse teams, better products follow.
Chloe Berry, 28, is a backend engineer at Yaspa, an award-winning fintech specialising in instant payments and identity services in igaming.
Drawing on her journey from a Sky Bet graduate scheme to greenfield fintech projects, she outlines the practical structural changes needed to build a more resilient, representative workforce.
Have Your Say
Take our short customer survey on EGR’s content and data offering for the chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher. It will take less than three minutes, with the findings used to inform our plans to improve the platform.
The post IWD: Diverse teams build better products first appeared on EGR Intel.
As part of EGR’s International Women’s Day series, Yaspa backend engineer Chloe Berry reflects on her experience in male-dominated workspaces and how it is never too late to pivot
The post IWD: Diverse teams build better products first appeared on EGR Intel.