Simon Zinger Shifts Focus: From Entain’s Anti-Black Market Campaign to Consulting Leadership

Simon Zinger Shifts Focus: From Entain’s Anti-Black Market Campaign to Consulting Leadership

A New Chapter in Consulting

Simon Zinger, a pivotal figure in Entain’s efforts to curb unlicensed gambling advertising in football, has announced his transition into the consultancy sector. Formerly Entain’s General Counsel, Zinger is now stepping into a new role as the Managing Partner of two newly established consultancies: Calibri Law and Bluestar Partners. Both firms are headquartered in London and cater to distinct but complementary areas of expertise. Zinger’s move marks a significant shift in his career, leveraging his extensive regulatory and legal experience to provide advisory services to businesses navigating complex regulatory landscapes.

Calibri Law, as its name suggests, will focus on legal advisory services. Zinger emphasized that the firm will offer tailored legal counsel informed by his firsthand experience in balancing legal and compliance requirements with operational challenges and business strategies. This approach bridges the gap between legal frameworks and practical business needs, ensuring clients receive actionable advice grounded in real-world scenarios.

Bluestar Partners: Strategic Advisory for Modern Challenges

Bluestar Partners, on the other hand, will provide strategic advisory services with a broader remit. The firm’s expertise spans regulatory support, government relations, crisis management, international business expansion, customer protection, and sports integrity. Zinger highlighted that Bluestar Partners aims to help businesses navigate emerging risks and capitalize on opportunities in an increasingly regulated environment.

Zinger shared his vision for both firms in a LinkedIn post, stating, “After many years working inside globally regulated businesses, I want to now offer two practices grounded in practical judgment, commercial understanding, and the realities of operating under regulatory and reputational pressures.”

Zinger’s Regulatory Legacy at Entain

Zinger’s transition into consultancy follows a five-year tenure at Entain, a prominent FTSE 250 gambling group. During his time at Entain, he served as Group General Counsel and later took on the additional role of Chief Customer Care Officer. Zinger played a central role in Entain’s anti-black market campaign, particularly targeting unlicensed gambling advertising in football. This initiative involved collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO), the Premier League, and several member clubs.

His tenure also coincided with significant challenges, including overseeing Entain’s response to a £17.2 million penalty issued by the Gambling Commission in 2023—the largest fine in its history at the time. These experiences have undoubtedly equipped Zinger with invaluable insights into crisis management and regulatory compliance, making him a sought-after expert in the consultancy space.

Regulatory Expertise in High Demand

The consultancy sector is increasingly valuing professionals with regulatory experience, as businesses face growing scrutiny and evolving legal frameworks. Zinger’s career path mirrors that of other notable figures in the industry, such as Andrew Rhodes and Tim Miller, former leaders at the Gambling Commission who have also transitioned into consultancy roles.

Zinger’s consultancies, however, will not be limited to the gambling industry. Both Calibri Law and Bluestar Partners list gaming, media, marketing services, and adjacent businesses among their target industries, reflecting Zinger’s diverse professional background.

A Storied Career Spanning Multiple Industries

Before his tenure at Entain, Zinger held senior legal roles at global corporations such as Dentsu and Vivendi. His legal career began in the 1990s as a solicitor at two San Francisco-based law firms. This breadth of experience across industries and geographies positions Zinger uniquely to offer nuanced and comprehensive advisory services.

The Future of Calibri Law and Bluestar Partners

As Zinger embarks on this new chapter, the consultancy landscape stands to benefit from his deep regulatory expertise and strategic insight. Calibri Law and Bluestar Partners are poised to become invaluable resources for businesses navigating complex regulatory environments, ensuring compliance while fostering growth and innovation.

Zinger’s transition underscores the growing demand for regulatory expertise in consultancy, a trend that reflects the increasing complexity of global business operations. His dual focus on legal and strategic advisory services positions him as a versatile leader in the field, ready to address the challenges and opportunities of the modern regulatory landscape.