Richard is a specialist gambling, licensing and regulatory lawyer with key expertise in remote and land-based gambling. He works with a range of gambling clients from start-ups to multinational gambling operators, including casinos, betting shops, online gambling platforms and software developers. Richard advises on operating licences, the risks of operating in international markets, defending licence reviews, AML and social responsibility and the approval of print and web marketing campaigns.
Another specialisation of Richard’s is liquor licensing, where he acts for pubs, nightclubs, bars, supermarkets and hotel chains nationally (including Scotland). He regularly appears before Licensing Committees and Magistrates’ Courts, and advises on real estate contracts for leisure operators, which are conditional on the grant of licensing and planning.
Richard’s regulatory work involves acting for leisure and retail clients defending health and safety, food safety and product safety prosecutions. He also advises on street trading, taxi and firearms licensing.
Expertise
- Gambling
- Alcohol licensing
- Licensing of pubs, bars, nightclubs, hotels and restaurants
- Taxi licensing
- Firearms licensing
- Street trading
- Health and safety, food safety and product safety
Experience
Gambling
- Acted for a multinational land-based and remote gambling operator in relation to an operating licence review brought by the Gambling Commission which involved betting integrity and self-exclusion failures.
- Advised a listed remote gambling operator on the change of corporate control applications required as a result of its acquisition by a UK PLC.
- Advised a remote casino operator on compliance assessment and licence review relating to anti-money laundering and social responsibility failings.
- Acted for a lottery betting operator on the judicial review of Government legislation making it unlawful to offer bets on the outcome of Euromillions draws.
- Advice to operators of prize competitions, free draws, product promotions and social gaming products, including drafting promotional terms and conditions.
- Written advice to remote casino and betting operators on the civil, criminal and financial risks of operating in grey and black markets.
- Advice on international licensing post-Brexit, including obtaining licences and recognition notices within the EU.
- Retained by a number of gambling operators to advise on TV, radio and print marketing material to ensure compliance with BCAP/CAP Codes, LCCP, industry codes and general consumer law.
- Advice on international gambling licensing post-Brexit, including obtaining licences and recognition notices within the EU.
- Retained by a number of gambling operators to advise on TV, radio and print marketing material to ensure compliance with BCAP/CAP Codes, LCCP, industry codes and general consumer law.
- Advised a Hong Kong based games developer in relation to the categorisation of its game under the Gambling Act 2005. We have also advised this client in relation to a significant number of skill games for release on the Play Store and App Store
- Advised a leading Irish gambling operator in relation to a proposed acquisition of a GB licensed telephone betting operator. This involved advice on the regulatory actions required when acquiring a Gambling Commission licensed operator.
- Advised a remote gambling operator which operates a casino and bingo brand in the UK in relation to a ASA complaint that it used a person who appeared to be under 25 in its TV advertising in breach of the BCAP Code
- Advised an online gambling operator in relation to two complex change of corporate control applications to the Gambling Commission. The first involved a historical application for COCC approval, which had not been made in time and risked the operating licence being revoked
- Advised new start-up in relation to an operating licence application for a new pool betting operation focussed on NFL games. Policies and documentation were prepared to support the licence application and submitted the application to the Gambling Commission which was granted
- Provided a training session for the senior executives of a remote external lottery manager to brief them on changes to the ASA CAP/BCAP Codes relating to the advertising of gambling products, particularly in relation to children.
- Advised Wynn Resorts Limited in relation to the acquisition of Aspinall’s casino in Mayfair.
Liquor Licensing
- Advised a number of football clubs about stadia licensing, including provision for outdoor music events.
- Advised on the licensing of the National Speedway Stadium in Manchester.
- Licensed over 300 sites in England, Wales and Scotland for off-sales for a national retailer.
- Advised on the licensing of large outdoor Festival No. 6 in Portmeirion, Wales, despite significant residential opposition.
- Retained by a regional police force to provide advice and advocacy relating to Premises Licence reviews due to crime and disorder concerns.
- Instructed by a regional police force to apply for an Early Morning Restriction Order (EMRO) in Blackpool.
- Advised cruise ship operator on the legality of permitting smoking in its casinos aboard ships departing the UK and sailing in territorial and international waters. This was a complex matter involving advice on smoking laws in the UK, in and outside territorial waters
- Represented nightclub in Manchester in relation to a summary licence review brought by GMP following a violent incident (stabbing) at the premises
- Provided regulatory advice to retailer relating to preventing sales of alcohol, knives, and other age restricted items in its stores
- Advised on a Premises Licence application for a retail store in an overprovision area of Glasgow. Appeared before the Licensing Board in Glasgow in relation to the contested licensing application
Gaming
- Advised a well-known games developer, in relation to its cross border plans to enter into software development sheltering agreements with 3 other parties
- Advised directors on the regulatory risks of supplying remote gaming services into 5 international jurisdictions from a licensed base in the IOM. Reports consider the regulatory risks to the directors from operating services in that country, such as prosecution, extradition, financial penalties
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised by Chambers UK (2021-2025) for Gaming
“He delivered on his promises.” Chambers UK 2025
“We were happy to work with Richard.“ Chambers UK 2025
“Richard is what we need for operational advice for the business” Chambers UK 2025
“I am very satisfied with Richard’s understanding of the complexity of our case, which was dealt with very proficiently and professionally throughout the process.” Chambers UK 2025
Acknowledged by Chambers 2025 for his ability to act on contentious gaming matters, as well as advising on operating licences. His client base includes start-ups, casinos and software developers.
“Richard is someone you can always rely on and you know he’s always going to give you the right advice.” Chambers UK 2024
“Richard is generous with his time and a pleasure to work with.” Chambers UK 2024
Recognised in The Legal 500 for Gaming and Betting (2020-2025)
“He pays keen attention to our commercial needs when delivering his advice, which is fantastic.” Chambers UK 2023
“Richard Williams has a strong network of experts and comes with a problem-solving mindset.” Chambers UK 2023
“Richard Williams is not only a very reliable person, but someone that constantly gives advice without charging. There is a reason why he has so many clients. Always a helpful and a great person to be around too. I cannot stress enough how much of an expert he is in the gambling field.” The Legal 500 2023
“Richard Williams is an expert in gambling-related matters. He is not only knowledgeable but understanding of our business, and tailors that knowledge to ensure we are getting the best outcome.” The Legal 500 2022
“Richard is a great communicator and his passion for the industry shines through.” Chambers UK 2021
“I was very impressed with Richard, in terms of his industry knowledge and response times.” Chambers UK 2021
“Richard Williams has been exceptional in advising and helping us launch a business in an industry that we were not that familiar with.” The Legal 500 2021
Clients endorse Richard Williams ‘s practical approach as well as his “good command of the UK gambling laws.” He predominantly acts for significant betting operators on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Another client adds: “Richard has great attention to detail from a legal perspective.” Chambers UK 2020
Recognised in the Legal 500 2020 for Licensing
Holder of the International Compliance Association “Specialist Certificate in Money Laundering Risk in Betting and Gaming”
Recommended in The Legal 500 2018 for Gambling and Licensing
“Richard Williams is a qualified solicitor advocate and regularly represents clients across the country. He attracts praise from sources who note that he is a great licensing lawyer with a strong market presence” Chambers & Partners 2015
Career
Richard qualified as a solicitor in 1996. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2019, he worked at the following firms:
- Joelson
- Matalan
- Cobbetts