In strategy and analytics, Mr. Rivers recently led a large-scale engagement to optimize pricing and ranging across land-based and online channels. Other recent analytical work includes marketing effectiveness econometrics, game design review and simulation, and utilization of machine learning techniques to detect casino bonus fraud. Mr. Rivers also brings significant experience in regulatory strategy and policy. He recently advised a large North American jurisdiction on their regulatory approach, including market size estimation and regulatory and fiscal policy. 

Mr. Rivers has advised on multiple buy- and sell-side transactions. He has provided full customer due diligence for a sell-side client, extensive regulatory impact modelling on multiple billion-plus pound transactions with considerable regulatory uncertainty, strategic advice to PE houses on mid-market transactions for both B2C and B2B targets and worked on multiple antitrust engagements for B2C and B2B transactions. 

In regulatory compliance, Mr. Rivers recently led a regulatory controls transformation project for a large operator across ~20 jurisdictions, including full mapping of regulatory requirements and expectations and tests of control design. He has led multiple ex-post enforcement implementation audits for GB-facing operators following Gambling Commission action, looking at design and effectiveness; and a large trade association in a first-of-its-kind data sharing project, advising on defining the overall project delivery plan, regulation and technology and has conducted multiple compliance-driven strategy projects, including benchmarking safer gambling/AML approaches and designing responsible strategy for unregulated activity. 

Mr. Rivers has also worked extensively on antitrust matters, including M&A, market investigations and litigation. 

Mr. Rivers earned a bachelor’s degree in business economics and a master’s degree (with distinction) in industrial economics from the University of East Anglia. A Who’s-Who- Legal-recognized economist, he is recognized as a global thought leader, frequently publishing thought leadership pieces and speaking at commercial, regulator, academic and legal conferences.