In this episode of the iGaming Leader Podcast, Leo sits down with Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, a distinguished professional in the gaming industry with over a decade of experience working with prominent organizations such as GVC, Labworks Coral, and the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).

Grainne shares her challenging yet brilliant career starting from her return from maternity leave into a period of immense professional upheaval and a subsequent promotion. She discusses her journey of resilience also feelings of 'mum guilt' and her approach to managing work-life balance with a supportive network, her unexpected path into lobbying, and her entry into the gaming industry.

GUEST BIO:

Grainne Hurst is the CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, bringing nearly a decade of leadership experience from global betting brand Entain, where she served as Group Corporate Affairs Director.
In this role, she spearheaded government relations, led the company's successful rebrand from GVC to Entain, and developed the multi-award-winning safer gambling strategy “Changing for the Better.”

With deep expertise in political communications, advocacy, and regulatory affairs. Grainne previously served as a special advisor to the UK government, and her appointment as BGC CEO came as part of a strategic leadership restructuring, with former CEO Michael Dugher transitioning to Chair.

Currently serving as a board member of Global Gaming Women and leading the charity's international expansion across the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

KEY POINTS:

00:00 — Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:40 — Overcoming Career Challenges
12:22 — Navigating Mergers and Acquisitions
20:05 — Balancing Work and Family Life
23:44 — The Importance of Networking and Support
26:43 — Current Role and Industry Insights
35:19 — Advice for Career Resilience
39:01 — Conclusion and Final Thoughts

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

“There's no such thing as a work-life balance.”
“Continue to hold your head up high, continue to do your best work.”
“You have to pick yourself back up, put on a brave face, move onward and upward.”
“The biggest issue and challenges for me were actually surviving then repositioning myself each time.”
“Being a straight player means sometimes being too direct, but it’s better than playing political games.”
“Accept the principle, but let's work together on how we actually get there in practice.”

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Sun article by Harry Cole on tax consultation:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/34714856/rachel-reeves-horse-racing-tax-hike-betting/
Appearance on Racing TV: Betting and Gaming Council on X:
https://t.co/LxATuixICZ" / X
Post on LI on black market:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/grainne-hurst-1a32821a_dont-underestimate-the-threat-from-the-gambling-activity-7317882477589528578-cUKc?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAXsdK8B-LO8wK62bL6Rj53p2J9mMbqRKEc
Sun editorial on tax consulation:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7323252184203055104

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