DAZN has hired another industry veteran to the leadership team of its sports betting venture DAZN BET, appointing Gemma Burge as Head of Safer Gambling. 

Burge specialises in risk management and safer gambling for the online and land-based betting and gaming sectors, having accumulated experience over a 15 year career, which included employment at Sky Bet and William Hill.

At the former company, Burge’s tenure of just under three years culminated with her ascension to the role of Head of Real Time Risk & Risk Assurance, whilst her further three years at William Hill saw the risk specialist become the heritage bookmaker’s Head of UK Safer Gambling Policy, Strategy & Risk.

I’m absolutely delighted to share that I’m starting a new position as Head of Safer Gambling at DAZN Bet,” Burge wrote in a LinkedIn post. 

“I’m really excited to be working for this incredible brand as they start their new venture, building a gambling experience that will promote safe play and customer wellbeing.

In her new position, Burge will be based at DAZN BET’s Gibraltar office, as DAZN looks to expand its scope from its home territory in OTT sports streaming and into the wagering industry. 

The company has made a raft of appointments in pursuit of its expansion strategy, most recently announcing former BoyleSports CEO and Tote UK Managing Director Mark Kemp as Chief Executive of DAZN BET.

DAZN’s previous appointments to bolster its sportsbook management saw Entain executives and industry veterans Ian Turnball and Sandeep Tiku named EVP of Betting and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) respectively.

Malta-based Pragmatic Play has been chosen as the sportsbook platform developer for the new venture, having recently entered the sportsbook scene itself after building up a strong presence igaming. 

Commenting on the partnership with pragmatic, DAZN Group CEO Shay Segev said at the time: “The convergence of sports media and betting is the future. This historic partnership brings together the leading sports media company and a technology partner who is committed to developing innovative experiences for fans.”

DAZN is planning to launch its new sportsbook offering later this year in time for the commencement of the 2022/23 football season – meaning its market debut would fall after the outcomes of the 2005 Gambling Act review have become clear, and so a strong safer gambling leadership and strategy will likely benefit the project greatly.