iGaming has been predominantly male-focused since its dawn. As of December 2023, women made up 30% of the global iGaming industry workforce. This represented a slight increase from figures related to the previous year, spotlighting the ongoing efforts to improve gender diversity.
From initiatives and mentorship programs to inclusive hiring practices, a whole range of efforts have contributed to this steady progress for the industry’s female workforce.
In 2025, we are set to see the continued emergence of strong female leaders in the iGaming space, especially at the C-level. In this post, we highlight the female leaders making a positive impact on innovation, regulation, marketing and new technologies.
Charmaine Hogan, Playtech
Charmaine Hogan holds the role of Head of Regulatory Affairs at Playtech, a position focused on emerging and re-regulating markets. With 2025 seeing the industry focus on emerging regions such as Latam, North America and Asia, Hogan is set to continue her impactful work this year.
In her role at Playtech, Hogan focuses on the importance of navigating diverse regulatory markets. She believes that brands that are prepared to adapt to these changes can capitalise on the lucrative opportunities in Europe and across the globe. Her work is set to have a meaningful impact on the iGaming Landscape as these regulatory shifts take presence for brands the coming year. In addition to her role at Playtech, Hogan sits on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Gaming Association, where shares her regulatory experience and engages with policymakers and stakeholders.
Denise Coates, bet365
Denise Coates is among the most noteworthy female figures in the international iGaming industry. As the co-CEO of bet365, she is not only a leader in the sector but one of the UK’s largest taxpayers – a title she takes pride in.
Best known as the founder of bet365 and for revolutionising the in-play betting feature, Coates has made a lasting impact on the industry while continuing to champion female entrepreneurship. Outside business, Coates’ influence spreads to the broader community. Just a few months ago, the Denise Coates Foundation donated a huge £1.6 million to the Douglas Macmillan Hospice. This money was pledged to enhance palliative care for adults, young adults and children, directly supporting women as patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.
Abigail Welch, iGaming News
Abigail Welch, the founder of the global industry news publication iGaming News, is one of the youngest editors in the iGaming industry. She formed the business in 2019 when she was in her twenties. Welch, who boasts an extensive background in iGaming PR and marketing, is proud to have built a modern solution where iGaming brands can share their press releases, thought leadership pieces and industry commentary. The iGaming News platform has been used as a media relations resource for some of the industry’s biggest disruptors, including the likes of SOFTSWISS, GR8 Tech and global betting platform, betting.bet. This is in addition to regulatory bodies, inventors and operators.
As well as the name behind one of the few female-owned news businesses, Welch is passionate about giving female industry figures a platform to showcase their innovations and talents. Whether interviewing female figures or highlighting key issues in the publication’s monthly round tables, she brings a fresh and dynamic approach to industry reporting.
Tatyana Kaminskaya, SOFTSWISS
Tatyana Kaminskaya is a key driver in the evolving world of game aggregation, assuming the role of Head of SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator at award-winning iGaming software provider, SOFTSWISS.
Under her leadership, the Game Aggregator has grown into a premier platform, boasting a comprehensive catalogue of more than 15,000 games from more than 200 reputed game providers. Kaminskaya has steered this project to become an international award-winning product, having been recognised in both the SiGMA Europe Awards 2023 and the EGR B2B Awards.
Virginia McDowell, Entain
Virginia McDowell holds a key role at Entain as a Non-Executive Director and Designated Workforce Director. She’s also built a reputation in the industry for being an insightful keynote speaker, moderator and panellist at institutes, organisations and charitable events globally.
Outside her executive positions, McDowell is profoundly committed to promoting the development of women in the iGaming sector. She serves as the Vice Chairperson of Global Gaming Women, an organisation focused on mentoring and educating women in the industry and fostering growth and diversity