Title: Commercial Legal Counsel
Location: London
Salary: Dependent on experience + Competitive bonus
Entain is one of the world’s largest sports betting and gaming groups, operating both online and in the retail sector. With offices across five continents and licences in more than 20 countries, we operate some of the most well-known and iconic brands in the industry with more than 250 years of combined history – names such as Ladbrokes, partypoker, bwin and Coral.
In the US the Group operates BetMGM, a joint venture with MGM Resorts, created to capitalise on the emerging opportunities presented by the new regulation of sports betting and gaming across several states. BetMGM has been going from strength to strength with its position as the number 2 national operator firmly established in the fast-growing market. BetMGM is expected to be operational in around 20 states, representing 33% of the US adult population, over the next 12 months.
Through a combination of organic growth and M&A, the Group has expanded rapidly in recent years to become one of the world’s largest listed sports betting and gaming groups. In 2018 Entain completed the acquisition of Ladbrokes Coral Group PLC, the Group’s first move into retail operations. This came two years after the acquisition of the international online operator, bwin.party digital entertainment plc, in 2016.
Moving forward, the Group sees continued growth opportunities in global sports betting and gaming, while looking to leverage the Entain technology platform around the convergence of media, entertainment and gaming to provide new revenue streams in interactive entertainment.
Entain is a member of FTSE4Good and the DJSI, ESG indices which identify companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards. Sustainability and social impact is a core focus at Entain. The business holds that the view that the most sustainable business in the industry will be the most successful. Entain aims to meet the highest standards in everything it does, from the way it runs the business to the way it supports colleagues, customers, local charities and communities. More information can be found in Entain’s ESG Report.
Entain recognises that its success is the outcome of a collective effort by various teams, including its Commercial Legal team. The Commercial Legal team is closely integrated with the business and is involved in all aspects of Entain’s business, playing an important part in our continued success.
Responsibilities - You will be expected to:
- Structure, negotiate and draft simple and complex commercial agreements for the licensing of online casino software, games and other products (including bespoke development and brand licensing agreements);
- Advise senior stakeholders on the licensing and launch of new products and coordinating and handling all legal aspects (including identifying and mitigating potential risks and drafting appropriate templates for future use);
- Coordinate extensively and on a day to day basis with various teams, including Commercial, Compliance, Tax, Licensing, Privacy and Information Security;
- Evaluate commercial risks and advise the business on how to mitigate these and where possible, consider and offer alternative and pragmatic solutions;
- Advise on the commercial implications of existing contractual obligations;
- Develop strong relationships with stakeholders and keep abreast of internal structural and licensing changes and industry-wide developments. The Commercial Legal team believes in the importance of fostering strong, transparent and constructive relationships with stakeholders and other teams to ensure that we are engaged on all matters at any early stage, allowing us to deliver the greatest impact and value for the business;
- Ensure that the template library for online casino products is kept up to date and look to create greater efficiencies in the supplier contracting process wherever possible;
- Share knowledge and experience with other team members; and
- Take on projects and responsibilities relating to the broader Legal team in addition to your daily tasks.
Skills:
- UK qualified solicitor from NQ to 2 years PQE;
- Excellent English oral and written communication skills and able to articulate complex issues in simple and clear terms;
- Enthusiastic about taking ownership of projects and become involved proactively in all legal aspects from start to finish;
- Keen to make a positive impact on the business and continuously looking for ways to improve existing processes and suggest/implement new processes where they will lead to greater efficiencies and productivity;
- Thrives working in a large team but is also comfortable working alone on smaller projects;
- Pro-active and driven attitude and comfortable liaising with and advising senior management;
- Able to problem solve quickly by making reasoned judgements balancing risks;
- Excellent attention to detail and prioritisation skills with a proven ability to meet demanding deadlines;
- Keep abreast of legal developments and changes in market practice;
- Comfortable working in a face paced and highly regulated environment;
- At the minimum, a foundation understanding on intellectual property licensing; and
- Background in the gambling industry is desirable but not essential.
