Episode 70 - Harry Stewart-Moore: Betting and the Law

The Smart Betting Club Podcast

I have a very special guest for Episode 70 in the form of lawyer, Harry Stewart-Moore, who is a partner at the law firm Gardner Leader, with a speciality in cases in the betting industry. Harry regularly acts for some of the leading names in the gambling world in both High Court proceedings and before various sports regulatory panels.
With a preference to represent those on the punting side of things including many professional bettors in the past, Harry explained the type of cases he takes on and some of the issues and grievances brought before him.
Many of them do focus on bookmaker behaviour alongside issues created by the industry and its regulator, the Gambling Commission, about whom he has very many concerns as to the way they operate.
We also expand on the black market, its growth and the legal challenges that creates as well as why frictionless affordability checks just wont work and the problems with many bookmakers terms and conditions.
Nothing was off the agenda in this wide-reaching chat and Harry was a fascinating guest, happy to share his thoughts and experiences on all things betting from a legal perspective.
(00:00) Introducing Harry
(01:20) Harry's father's impact on his career choice (& love of gambling!)
(02:44) Gambling and what Harry has learnt working with successful gamblers
(03:45) Cases, clients and the life of a gambling lawyer
(06:30) The increase in punter vs. bookmaker cases and the possible reasons for this
(07:32) The most common disputes that Harry deals with
(09:40) The lengths that bookmakers will go to to avoid paying liabilities
(12:55) The anatomy of a gambling dispute case
(13:47) AML and other regulatory checks and how bookmakers weaponise them
(19:15) The Gambling Commission
(22:50) The National Lottery & the Gambling Commission's attitude towards it
(25:50)The regulatory future in the UK & the growth of the black market
(30:50) Criminal elements' hold on certain gambling jurisdictions
(32:15) The law and how it relates to black market betting
(34:50) The White Paper and Harry's take on 'frictionless' affordability checks
(40:45) How issues with law and regulation keep reappearing
(41:12) The competitive advantage that major firms have when dealing with onerous checks and regulation
(44:00) IBAS, eCogra and how dispute resolution services just aren't working
(46:30) Bookmaker Terms and Conditions and how some are drafted to shaft punters
(48:30) How treating 'skilled' and casino/fixed odds betting differently could well help with regulation and dealing with problem gambling
(55:50) How to access Harry's legal expertise!
Discover More:

• Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/
• Harry at Gardner Leader: https://www.gardner-leader.co.uk/team_members/harry-stewart-moore-2/
• Harry on Twitter @HarryStewartMo1
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/