Partner

David Zeffman

Head of Gambling

Languages

English

David has been one of the leading lawyers in the UK media sector for over 30 years and has extensive experience providing strategic, commercial and regulatory advice to clients in the gambling, sport and television sectors. He has been involved in many of the major transactions that have taken place in these sectors, including the launch of several television channels and the sale of media rights to some of the world's biggest sporting competitions.

Awards & Recognitions

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"He is very knowledgeable and effectively manages a team of associates and fellow partners to get results quickly. A thoroughly knowledgeable individual who understands this space well."

Chambers, 2026
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"David is a leader in his field in sports, gambling and related competition law. He consistently demonstrates a challenging but constructive approach which achieves results."

Chambers, 2026
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"David and his team contribute so much to our business and expansion."

Chambers, 2026
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"David has seen it all."

Chambers, 2026
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"What truly sets him apart is his expertise in the overall gaming industry. His experience working with many segments of this industry gives him unparalleled insight into business and legal needs. "

Chambers, 2026
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"Again, the unique experience and knowledge of the wagering industry, and their ability to apply this knowledge in a pragmatic and effective manner, is highly valuable. In particular, David Zeffman has been a terrific support and reference for us as a business."

Legal 500, 2026
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"David Zeffman has extensive knowledge of the gaming and betting industry, and a network of legal counsel in other jurisdictions, which makes his guidance indispensable in our international business dealings. His advice is always technically proficient, commercial and timely – ticking all our boxes."

Legal 500, 2026
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"David Zeffman is in a league of his own in terms of his depth of understanding of the issues in our sector and in providing practical advice to assist with risk management and decision-making."

Legal 500, 2026
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"David's level of sophistication is very strong and he possesses a good knowledge of the industry."

Chambers, 2025
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"David Zeffman is a fantastic gambling regulatory lawyer with a great mind."

Chambers, 2025
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"David Zeffman is a senior statesman figure on all matters regulatory and licensing in the gambling industry. He is erudite, serious, consistent and always reachable."

Legal 500, 2024
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"He is extremely reliable and responsive."

Chambers, 2024
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"David is a knowledgeable senior adviser who puts himself firmly at the heart of the strategic matters we deal with."

Chambers, 2024
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"A genius in his subject and a patient, humble adviser on all deals, large or small."

Chambers, 2023
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"David Zeffman has vast experience in the gambling sector."

Legal 500, 2023

Relevant experience

Gambling

Gamesys on a range of commercial, regulatory and corporate matters including: the sale of its JackpotJoy and other brands to Intertain for an initial payment of GBP 425.8m; on its c.£490m sale to JPJ Group plc and pre-sale carve out of its sports betting and games content business, advising on its online gaming partnership with the New Jersey casino Tropicana; and the acquisition of Virgin Games.
The Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association on its legal challenges to the UK Government’s reform of the taxation of remote gambling services and to the introduction of place of consumption licensing and regulation in Britain.
Sports Entertainment Acquisition Corp on multi-jurisdictional regulatory reviews and due diligence in support of its agreement to combine with Super Group, the parent company of leading global online sports betting and gaming businesses Betway and Spin, valuing the combined group at USD 4.75bn.

Sport

The England and Wales Cricket Board on its GBP 1.1bn sale of the UK media rights to English cricket from 2020-2025.
The International Cricket Council on its global media rights tender, bidding and evaluation process for 18 tournaments between 2015 and 2023.
The Government on the future funding of British horseracing following the decision of the European Court of Justice in the William Hill v BHB database rights case.
FIFA on the worldwide sale of media rights to the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
Setanta Sports, SingTel, Sky Italia, Dentsu and many others on their acquisition of rights to broadcast Premier League football.

The launch and/or subsequent operations of many television channels since the launch of satellite television in the 1980s including MTV Europe, VH1, FilmFour, E4, AtTheRaces, Bloomberg and Eurosport.
The set up, funding, launch and all activities of the DTT pay television platform Top Up TV.

Memberships & Roles

Member - International Masters of Gaming Law.

Education

1980 - MA Jurisprudence, Brasenose College, Oxford

sectors

TMT - Technology, Media & Telecommunications Esports & Games Gambling Media Broadcast and Streaming Sport Sports Rights

Insights

Global Reach

UK Pay Gap Report 2024