When I joined Harris Hagan in 2019, a law firm that views itself as a business within the gambling industry, I was delighted to be joining a sector where significant change had been made in respect of female representation. The narrative had already shifted from the days when women were only needed as glamorous croupiers, entertainers, or for handing out leaflets at trade shows. Instead, they were in meeting rooms, participating in discussions and making decisions; evidence of the hard work women before me had undertaken to shift that narrative. This positive change must, and has been, applauded. But is visibility in the industry and representation by women enough? The challenge now is to ensure there is meaningful influence by women.
The All-In Diversity Project’s All-Index Report for 2024-2025 shows that women make up nearly half of the global gambling workforce. However, the same data confirms that there is less representation of women in executive positions (approximately a third), and it appears that this has been the case for some time. As seniority increases, representation is narrowed. Having more women in leadership and executive positions that directly shape the direction and integrity of businesses would drive influence from the top and help level the playing field further.
The question of how to achieve greater balance in leadership roles also raises discussion around gender quotas. While originally implemented to address imbalances in leadership, quotas have led to debate of whether women occupy these roles because of genuine capability and merit. Do we want to have a seat at the table simply because a company needs to tick a box?
There are, of course, many formidable and talented female leaders in the industry whose achievements demonstrate the paths they have paved, and the important role women play in shaping the sector. As the industry landscape has progressed, further change can and will happen if the footsteps of both male and female industry leaders are followed and platforms continue to be created to foster the careers of the next generation.
The theme for International Women’s Day this year is ‘Give to Gain’ to “encourage a mindset of generosity and collaboration”. The more we give to our female colleagues and peers by creating spaces to grow and progress, the more we will gain as an industry in the long term from their influence and voice in the currently male-dominated boardrooms.
The gambling industry already boasts important initiatives for women that have only strengthened in the recent years. This includes the Global Gaming Women community, which offers networks of support and the possibility to forge relationships with women in all areas of the industry, alongside learning opportunities, leadership conferences and mentorship schemes. Importantly, I have seen male colleagues, including my own, be active in these conversations and take on mentorship roles. The most effective initiatives are those supported by senior leadership, regardless of gender.
Positive change has happened. We should celebrate the industry for what it has become and how it has evolved over the past 15-20 years. But that gap in leadership, while getting smaller, shows that there is more to be done. I remain optimistic that we can build upon the important work already achieved and ensure that women are not only present across the workforce, but proportionately represented in the rooms where the most important decisions are made.
Specialising in all aspects of online and land-based gambling law, Jessica advises land-based and online gambling businesses (B2C and B2B), as well as many startups.
She advises on legal classification, non-remote and remote licence applications, premises licensing, personal applications, change of corporate control applications, transaction due diligence, general compliance and reporting requirements, compliance assessments, regulatory investigations, corporate evaluations, operating and personal licence reviews, and developing associated remedial compliance programmes and action plans.
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The post IWD: Leadership based on talent and not box-ticking exercises first appeared on EGR Intel.
In EGR’s final International Women’s Day article, Harris Hagan senior associate Jessica Wilson says while progress has been made, more can be done to ensure women have seats at the top tables
The post IWD: Leadership based on talent and not box-ticking exercises first appeared on EGR Intel.