IWD: Women’s experiences in the world of betting and gaming

Imogen Moss and Elizabeth Varley – associate solicitor and solicitor in the Gambling team at licensing law firm Poppleston Allen, respectively – are from different generations, have different tastes and habits, but have one thing in common: they’re both women in the male-dominated fields of gambling and law.

During the month of International Women’s Day, they’re sharing their experiences, including how having male allies and mentors in the workplace has allowed them to succeed in what James Brown would surely still call ‘a man’s world’.

Imogen Moss

Starting out as a paralegal at Poppleston Allen many moons ago, I was lucky to have a team around me that nurtured, and still nurtures, ambition. I was also encouraged by the fact that the firm had prominent female partners to look up to. After significant life changes, including my daughter starting school, I decided that the time was right to take the next step in my career path and I worked towards qualifying as a solicitor.

Having our partners, Nick Arron and Richard Bradley, mentor me in the intricate world of gambling law while also accommodating a sustainable working pattern was an important part of me being able to achieve such success in my career. I’m now the only female associate-level solicitor in our gambling team, where I advise a range of national and independent businesses.

Working in law since I was 21 has meant that I have seen real progress in women being represented at the highest levels in the sector. In recent years, we’ve certainly seen some good examples of women taking on leading positions in the UK’s gambling industry and I find that I am now working with more women in senior positions than ever before.

There is still more work that can be done – for example, I believe that the cost of childcare is something the government needs to take action on if they really want to advance towards true gender equality in the workplace.

Imogen Moss is associate solicitor on the gambling team at licensing law firm Poppleston Allen, where she began her career as a paralegal.

After training to become a full solicitor with the aid of the firm, Imogen joined the team and delights in aiding the UK’s licence holders in all relevant law, best practice and of course, adherence to the License Conditions and Codes of Practice. 

Elizabeth Varley

I started working at Poppleston Allen at the age of 16 as a work experience student, and continued to work for the firm during sixth form and university holidays. I was hired as a paralegal before I began my training contract in April 2023. I qualified as a solicitor in October 2024 and have worked in the firm’s gambling team ever since.

My experience within the industry has been largely positive and I have had the pleasure of working with some amazing female colleagues throughout the duration of my career. These women have empowered me to be assertive and confident in the work that I do, and the skills that I bring to the table. Imogen has been a fantastic mentor and I’ve learned a great deal from her.

In addition, my male colleagues have always encouraged me to get stuck into new opportunities and have championed the work that I do.

There are still undoubtedly barriers for women within the industry, however. As a young woman, I’m sometimes met with surprise when I talk to people about what I do for work, with assumptions made that I am an assistant to more senior colleagues in the room. I think this is in response to the fact we are not working in what is viewed as a traditionally female industry, or an area of law with many women practicing.

It is daunting to walk into a room and be the only young woman, but I have always found that those whom I speak with are interested in what I have to say, and are keen to share their own experiences of the industry.

One thing that has been a benefit is that Poppleston Allen has strong female partners whose voices are valued and heard. We are fortunate that we are acknowledged as whole, entire people outside of the office: we’re friends, daughters, partners, mothers, sisters – and that is just as important to our existence as the law we practice.

Imogen and I recognise that we work at a firm that supports us as women and that this is not the experience for some women – but we’re here to tell you that there is a place for you in the  industry, and if you’re thinking of joining, go for it.

Elizabeth Varley is the most recent addition the gambling team at Poppleston Allen.

Like Imogen, she started her career path with the Nottingham-based law firm as a work experience student of 16.

She qualified as a solicitor in October 2024 and is proud to work alongside her mentor in the legal world, Imogen Moss, on all things betting and gaming in the legal field.