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Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s ‘excellent’ Craig Baylis ‘utilises his significant experience to provide exceptional support’. Recent highlights include winning an appeal for a casino license at the London Hippodrome and a casino licence for a Fox Club Poker venue in London; obtaining new licences for Tesco Stores, and for a Surfstock in Cornwall; and obtaining premises licences for Marriott Hotels. The practice is also ‘strong’ when it comes to online work, with Hilary Stewart-Jones having done ‘an exceptional job’ of building this side of the team.

Davenport Lyons handles a lot of high-end licensing work for private London members clubs and restaurants, and gained new clients such as McDonald’s, Clapham House, Lucky Voice and Ping Pong in 2008. It continues to handle work for the Buddha Bar, Jamie Oliver’s 15, Stringfellows, Boujis, the Royal family’s premises and the London Hippodrome. A highlight of 2008 was negotiating the use of duck ovens for the Royal China Group at the Employment Tribunal. The ‘very good’ Alun Thomas attracts high praise from clients for his experience.

Boutique firm Harris Hagan acted for Genting Stanley Casinos in its successful objection to Claremount Leisure’s application for five casinos in London, and Aspers Casinos is a major client of the firm. Other work in 2008 included handling the licensing for the Aviator hotel, and advising a Northern European government in relation to new online gambling laws. The practice also deals with compliance and regulatory issues for Ladbrokes, and acts for Cashcade. Julian Harris is recommended.

Joelson Wilson LLP covers all areas of licensing and gambling. Successes in 2008 included the practice’s application to extend the hours of operation for Gordon Ramsay Holdings, and it also acted for the promoters of the Isle of Wight festival. Praesepe is a new client. Suzanne Davies is ‘very good’.

Blake Lapthorn’s clients include Ladbrokes, Tetris Online, and PKR Technologies. In 2008 it handled cases brought against Paddy Power and Coral Racing, and also acted for Riva Gaming in relation to premises licensing. Peter Wilson is ‘very good and sensible’.

Jeffrey Green Russell continues to be involved in licensing and transactional work for a range of clients including nightclubs, pubs and restaurants, with liquor-related work a particular strength. Julian Skeens is known to be ‘very good’.

Olswang was appointed as Sportech’s principal legal adviser in 2008, and advised it on its contract with 888 and white label arrangements with publishers. The London team also advised Satellite Information services in Turf TV competition litigation. David Zeffman and Luisa Hoffman are renowned on the corporate side.

Work for DLA Piper UK LLP included advising the British Horseracing Association in relation to the 48th Levy Scheme in 2008, and assisted remote gambling operator Total Compliance with gambling licence applications. It also gained AOL as a new client, and was joined by Tom Russell from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. Duncan Calow heads the practice.

Hammonds LLP advised UEFA, Formula 1 and FIFA on regulatory and gambling issues in 2008, and acts for a range of football clubs including Chelsea, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Fulham FC. The team also advised companies such as easyJet regarding gambling advertising campaigns. Carl Rohsler heads the gambling team.

K&L Gates advised Digital Strip on licensing and regulatory issues concerning online gambling in 2008, while other clients include Betfair, Evolution Gaming, Arena Leisure, and Sportech, which it advised on the re-branding of Littlewood Pools. Warren Phelops is the contact partner.

Mishcon de Reya’s practice is historically rooted in online betting and gambling. Active clients include PKR.com and Smarta Enterprises, and Agora Games is a new client. Susan Breen is noted as a ‘go-to’ lawyer.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP advised the National Lottery Commission on IP and data protection issues and finalising the third licence to run the National Lottery, while other clients include Eurobet UK and William Hill.

Howard Kennedy advised a long list of clients in relation to premises and gambling licence applications. Key clients in 2008 included Charing Cross Food Court and Amida Club.

LG acted for a number of clients in relation to offshore gambling ventures and funding matters in 2008, advising Virtue Fusion on offshore online bingo facilities and In2Games on gaining funding.

Manches LLP notably advised the Telegraph Media Group on the licensing issues relating to its Fantasy games. It also advised Goldbet on licensing requirements for slot machines, and gained My Club League as a client in 2008.

Salans was involved in a number of negotiations concerning casino licences and regulatory issues regarding lotteries in 2008. Clients include Betfair.

PartyGaming, Pokerstars and Freemantle are among the new clients recently acquired by Wiggin LLP.

Winckworth Sherwood specialises in licensing applications.

Charles Russell LLP continued to act for London Clubs International in 2008, and also advised clients in relation to licences for competitions and games.

Osborne Clarke advises the British Beer and Pub Association and The Arts Council of England on licensing issues.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s clients include William Hill and the Post Office, with experience including gambling-related transactions.

Howard Timms moved his licensing team, which acts for restaurants, hotels and football clubs, from Woodroffes to Stones in 2008.

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