This year’s list of iGB’s Most Influential Women is a testament to the incredible diversity and talent within the gaming industry. The winners, representing various sectors, roles, and personalities, have all made significant contributions to their companies and the industry as a whole.
The first three winners as announced by iGB are as follows: Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC); Purity Wahiu, Director and Managing Partner at Stellar Bets; and Erica L Okerberg, Vice Chair of Gaming Practice and Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig.
Grainne Hurst, CEO, Betting and Gaming Council (BGC)
As one of the most recognizable names in the industry, Hurst has been instrumental in tackling the issue of the gambling black market in the UK. She believes that a unified approach is key to combating this problem and has already made significant strides in this area.
“There is a huge amount of work ahead of us, not least delivering and implementing the outstanding proposals outlined in last year’s white paper,” Hurst said. “My priority is ensuring we do everything in our power to do our job on this… We need to keep the pressure on and keep raising this issue [of the black market] in the media and with policymakers.”
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Hurst’s background in the civil service and her work in corporate affairs for Entain have prepared her for her current role as CEO of the BGC. She is also a board member for Global Gaming Women (GGW) and has been honored with the group’s Patty Becker “Pay It Forward” award for her commitment to developing and advancing women in the industry.
Purity Wahiu, Director and Managing Partner, Stellar Bets
Wahiu’s meteoric rise in the gaming industry began when she joined Betin as a retail training specialist in 2017. She has since worked for various operators, including Palms Bet, where she became director and managing partner. Her focus on building a strong network and prioritizing integrity have earned her respect within the industry.
“Building a network is very important,” Wahiu explains. “But as much as having a network is important, integrity is the key thing. If you do the right thing at the right time in the right way, people will think highly of you.” She aims to foster an inclusive culture by bringing in more talent and mentoring the next generation of women in gaming.
“It’s my network that ultimately brought me into the industry,” Wahiu says. “I’m so grateful; I didn’t know that people from all over the world would know my name and that I’d be in this position one day.”
Purity has also been recently recognized as one of the most influential women in the African iGaming industry, according to a prestigious list of the 2024’s top 50 Most Influential Women in iGaming in Africa. This esteemed recognition was issued jointly by iGaming AFRIKA and Women in Gaming, Africa, two prominent organizations that collaborated to highlight the industry’s leading female professionals.
Erica L Okerberg, Vice Chair Gaming Practice and Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig
As a leading figure in the legal space, Okerberg has advised and worked for various operators across land-based and online casino sectors. She believes that mentorship has played a crucial role in her career growth and now aims to repay that favor by mentoring young women entering the industry.
“Mentorship (both formal and informal) has been vital to helping me grow and build my career within the industry,” Okerberg recalls. “The support that I’ve received [from within the sector] and especially from some key mentors has been wonderful.”
Okerberg celebrates women’s successes within the industry and advocates for continued growth in diversity. She names previous Most Influential Women winner Amy Howe as a shining beacon of inspiration and influence.
“The calibre of previous [MIW] winners is impressive so it’s quite an honour to be included for the same recognition,” Okerberg enthuses.
These three women are just a few examples of the many talented individuals who make up iGB’s Most Influential Women 2024 list. Congratulations to Grainne Hurst, Purity Wahiu, Erica L Okerberg, and all our winners on this well-deserved recognition!
Source: iGB