The ARC syndicate
Luke ARC incorporate a team of leading industry consultants, established in their own right, with unique expertise which we believe make us the best UK gambling compliance consultancy on the market. Many of our team have worked directly for industry regulators such as the UK Gambling Commission, and maintain an ongoing relationship with them through work carried out for clients large and small.
Through our specialists we cover all areas of Gambling Compliance including online, land based and gambling software and have supported well over 100 Clients in the UK Betting and Gaming market. Although we specialise in UK Gambling Compliance, we have a strong network of trusted Partners covering several jurisdictions and will happily direct you to a partner where needed.
Neal Luke
Managing Consultant
First Online Focused Compliance Manager to be employed by the UK Gambling Commission, with over 20 years’ experience across iGaming compliance, licensing and regulatory assessment.
Read full bio →Neal Luke — Founder & Lead Consultant
Following the 2014 Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act, Neal was the first Online Focused Compliance Manager to be employed by the UK Gambling Commission, a role which capitalised on 8 years prior industry experience working closely with several major competitors in the global market. Not only has Neal carried out numerous online gambling compliance (and several brick and mortar) assessments for the UK Gambling Commission, since leaving he has repeatedly overseen regulatory assessments, licence applications and novel regulatory issues while representing industry bodies and corresponding with both UK and overseas regulators.
Neal is the premium specialist in everything related to UK remote gambling compliance, and since founding Luke ARC, is now proud to be the one-stop shop for everything Gambling Compliance related utilising over 20 years of experience.
Specialisms: iGaming Compliance, Corporate risk, AML, Safer Gambling, M&A compliance, Gambling Compliance Audit, enforcement action.
Richard Watson
Enforcement & Governance Consultant
Former Executive Director at the Gambling Commission, where he led programmes strengthening regulatory enforcement, betting integrity and anti-money laundering frameworks.
Read full bio →Richard Watson — Enforcement, AML & Governance
Richard guided the Commission’s Anti-Money Laundering team through pivotal legislative and policy reforms, which culminated in a successful evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force, significantly enhancing the organisation’s standing within government. As the national coordinator for betting integrity, he expertly managed complex multi-agency collaborations, briefing EU Commissioners, MPs, and senior officials.
Specialisms: Enforcement action, Regulatory Panels, Law enforcement, AML, Governance.
Paul Carpenter
Consultant & Safer Gambling specialist
Over 25 years in standards and regulation, including developing GamCare’s B2C and B2B Safer Gambling Standards; formerly a Senior Manager in Compliance at the Gambling Commission.
Read full bio →Paul Carpenter — Safer Gambling Standards
With a background in standards development, regulation, and assessment spanning over 25 years, Paul Carpenter has developed, advised on, and implemented improved approaches to regulation, compliance and standards in many commercial businesses and public sector/not-for-profit organisations, most recently through the development of GamCare’s B2C and B2B Safer Gambling Standards. Paul also led on the development and implementation of GamCare’s internationally recognised accreditation of the Safer Gambling Standard Scheme by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
Previous to this, Paul worked for the UK Gambling Commission for many years as a Senior Manager within Compliance.
Specialisms: Safer Gambling training, UK Gambling Compliance, audit and evaluation, safer gambling gold standard and best practice.
Stephen Spencer
Due Diligence Consultant
Former Head of Forensic Accounting at the UK Gambling Commission, leading due-diligence reviews and regulatory settlement calculations during enforcement action.
Read full bio →Stephen Spencer — Forensic Accounting & Due Diligence
Stephen was not only the Head of forensic accounting for the UK Gambling Commission for many years, leading on due-diligence reviews for licence submissions, change of corporate control submissions and other instances, but he was also vital in working on the calculations for regulatory settlements and penalties during enforcement action.
In terms of the UK market, there is simply no-one who holds his unique expertise available to support Gambling operators in terms of understanding due-diligence requirements and understanding the regulatory risk relating to enforcement action.
Specialisms: Corporate due-diligence, forensic accounting, regulatory settlements, change of corporate control, enforcement action, Licence Applications.
Lewis Stewart
Licensing & Insight Consultant
Eleven years at the UK Gambling Commission across licensing, policy, insight and sector specialist teams; advises on efficient submissions and new or novel products.
Read full bio →Lewis Stewart — Licensing & Emerging Products
Lewis began his career with Playtech’s iPoker network following his degree in Law and business, then continuing to work for 11 years with the UK Gambling Commission.
Originally working with the licensing team, through various promotions at the Commission, Lewis has 6 years’ experience working between the Commissions Policy, Insight and Sector Specialist teams. This included work on reviewing new or novel ideas within the industry. Now for Luke ARC, Lewis specialises in utilising this experience to ensure efficient submissions and tailored advice on new or novel products.
Specialisms: Licence applications, Product review, Emerging products, Consultations, Industry insight.
Molly Shaw
Compliance Officer
Supports the consultancy team and clients on day-to-day operations spanning AML, Safer Gambling and customer support.
Read full bio →Molly Shaw — Compliance Officer
Our Compliance Officer Molly joined Luke ARC following a career start in Safer Gambling, overseeing teams responsible for the day to day operation tasks overlapping AML and Customer support.
With Luke ARC Molly supports the Consultancy team with administrative duties and has also supported Clients on a day to day operational level.
Specialisms: Consultant support, Managed Services support, operational tasks for AML and Safer Gambling.
Lorraine Williamson
Consumer Law & Fair Terms Consultant
Consumer law specialist with a background in private practice and Local Government enforcement; advises on unfair Terms and Conditions and civil obligations to consumers.
Read full bio →Lorraine Williamson — Consumer Law & Fair Terms
After completing a degree in Law Lorraine started her career in private practice and moved to Local Government specialising in consumer law with a strong focus on enforcement and regulatory compliance. Lorraine is well versed in advising on unfair Terms and Conditions and delivering training to businesses on civil obligations to consumers.
With a strong interest in protecting consumer rights and a commitment to fairness, working with businesses to navigate their obligations to achieve compliance. Lorraine sits on a number of national groups around consumer law. Lorraine brings a unique angle to our wealth of regulator expertise.
Specialisms: Consumer protection, Consumer Law, Enforcement and Regulation, Trading Standards, unfair Terms and Conditions.
Gary Harrison
Isle of Man Corporate Services
Support partner for IOM corporate services with over 10 years in iGaming, assisting global B2C and B2B operators with Isle of Man licensing and company formation since 2013.
Read full bio →Gary Harrison — Isle of Man Corporate Services
Our support partner for IOM corporate services, Gary has over 10 years of experience in the iGaming sector. Gary has been assisting global B2C and B2B operators with Isle of Man related iGaming licensing and bespoke company formation and administration since 2013. Gary’s experience has formed his wealth of knowledge on the iGaming industry and corporate governance. He is a true ambassador to every client and his leading reputation in the industry is a reflection of his commitment to the success of every client venture. He provides a personal service that underpins unique requirements and exceeds expectations.
Specialisms: Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission compliance, Isle of Man gambling licensing, corporate services.
Fred Wise
Marketing Partner
Marketing support partner with senior iGaming roles including head of esports operations at Betway; covers PPC, SEO and affiliate strategy in UK and global markets.
Read full bio →Fred Wise — Marketing Partner
Our support partner for Marketing, Fred has held a multitude of senior industry roles including previously being the head of esports operations for Betway and several senior marketing roles in the iGaming sector before moving to consultancy. Projects have covered PPC, SEO and affiliate strategies among other key areas of acquisition and marketing within the UK and global markets.
Specialisms: iGaming Marketing strategy, PPC, search engine optimisation, new products, emerging trends.
Want to talk to one of the team?
Contact us for a free hour’s consultation to see how we can best fulfil your needs — with absolutely no obligation.
