Thomson Reuters names eight Keystone Law partners in its Stand-out Lawyers Guide 2026
Andrea James, Andrew Darwin & Anna McKibbin
“Alan Owens is enormously experienced across the whole range of gambling disputes. His great strategic sense, detailed knowledge of the industry and understanding of how it works mean that he should be the first port of call for gambling disputes.”
- The Legal 500 2026
“Alan Owens at Keystone Law is an expert adviser in gaming and betting disputes, and is a standout practitioner in this field. He excels both in strategy and detail, and is a great team player.”
- The Legal 500 2026
“Alan Owens is a real expert in the field, fully immersed in the statutory regime, regulatory rules and guidance, and relevant case law. He works tirelessly for his clients and demonstrates excellent tactical and strategic instincts.”
- The Legal 500 2026
“Alan Owens is one of the best-known and most trusted advisers in gambling disputes. He is highly knowledgeable, efficient and practical, with an in-depth understanding of the sector.”
- The Legal 500 2026
Alan has over 25 years’ experience as a litigation and regulatory investigations lawyer, now as a specialist adviser to the global online betting and gaming industry and related sectors, including strategic disputes, operator and, personal management licence holders, technology providers, advertisers, affiliates, and online platforms.
He is often appointed by the largest betting and gaming brands in the world to deal with disputes with strategic impact, navigating an external or governmental regulatory enquiry, and co-ordinating internal investigations. He also has significant experience in complex technology disputes, often tied to long-term strategic partnerships.
Alan also works with clients in the preparation for and in the urgent management of significant data breaches and cyber security incidents, providing a co-ordinated response across multiple disciplines.
Expertise
Alan supports clients facing data breaches and cyber incidents, advising on response strategies, regulatory investigations, and enforcement risks, while managing related commercial and reputational litigation.
Experience
- Advised SB Tech following a major ransomware attack disabling all core systems immediately prior to the Draft Kings merger.
- Advised Vodafone on a £100m Broadcom dispute regarding cyber security product licensing.
- Represented Acentria in High Court litigation regarding cyber security services to a private entity running UK government immigration detentions centres subject to significant cyber-attack.
Alan has acted in several reported cases involving regulatory enforcement, gaming litigation, and commercial arbitration, setting precedents in compliance, licensing, and complex dispute resolution.
Experience
- Gibson v TSE Malta LP (t/a Betfair) [2024] EWHC 2900 (Comm) (now awaiting judgment from the Court of Appeal)
- Dhir v Flutter Entertainment plc [2021] EWHC 1510 (QB)
- Ingenious Group v European Film Bonds [2021] EWCA Civ 807
- Emagine Films v Mister Smith Limited [2019] EWHC 2085 (Ch)
- Devenish Nutrition Ltd v Sanofi-Aventis SA [2008] EWCA Civ 1086
Alan specialises in betting and gaming litigation, acting for operators in regulatory enforcement actions, licence reviews, and complex disputes, both domestically and internationally, across online platforms and traditional gambling environments.
Experience
- Lead partner on Gibson v TSE Malta LP (t/a Betfair), the leading case on duty of care, contractual and statutory duties and illegality in the betting and gaming industries in Great Britain. Now awaiting judgment from the Court of Appeal.
- Lead partner on Dhir v Flutter Entertainment plc, the leading case on third-party claims in the UK gambling industry, and coordination of the defence of claims across the UK, Germany, Austria, and Malta.
- Advised on Gambling Commission enforcement actions against online operators including Betfair, Paddy Power, Sky Betting & Gaming, Playtech, Mr Green, William Hill, and many others.
- Advised on enforcement action personal management licences for senior executives at Flutter UKI, Caesars, Rank, and others.
- Advised Playtech on a dispute following failure of delivery of an EU sports betting platform.
- Advised on B2B and B2C issues to Flutter (brands include Skybet, Betfair, Paddy power, Poker Stars), William Hill Group, Entain (Ladbrokes, Coral), Gamesys, BetVictor, bet365, LeoVegas, and numerous other online providers.
- Representing Betfair and Flutter Entertainment plc in the High Court defending claims arising out of the death by suicide of a customer of Betfair.
- Acting for the Flutter group companies trading as Paddy Power in multiple claims brought in the High Court and County Courts.
Alan acts in complex technology-related commercial disputes, including system failures, software licensing, and service agreements, often resolved through litigation or arbitration across multiple jurisdictions.
Experience
- Advised on an ICC Arbitration chaired by Alan Redfern (London, New York law) for Amadeus IT Group regarding IT infrastructure and distribution agreement with major global airline with claims exceeding €100m.
- Represented Vodafone on the closure of 70 data centres following IBM cloud infrastructure deal, advising re SAP misrepresentation claims, advising re MVNO architecture and Oracle licensing framework and associated claims.
- Provided expedited expert determination advice regarding a £45m dispute arising from IT outsourcing transformation project.
- Advised Playtech on a dispute following failure of delivery of EU sports betting platform
- Acted for Yodel on the termination of a logistics IT transformation project.
- Representation for RR Donnelleyon, a global printing outsourcing supplier in a termination dispute with BT.
- Advised the Arcadia Group on the distressed aspects of the major transformational IT project Horizon.
- Acted in a multiparty arbitration for Honeywell Inc. chaired by Lord Hoffmann concerning design, function and manufacture of avionics following a major commercial airliner collision in Brazil, with passenger, hull loss and business interruption claims exceeding USD200m.
- Defended claims against Fujitsu concerning failures of undersea cabling boosters in the South China Sea.
- Mediated an English law dispute concerning a data infrastructure cable project in South East Asia for KDDI.
- Advised on an ICC arbitration (Bahrain, English law) regarding alleged early life failures of Fuji Electric transformers in a state-run aluminium smelting plant with claims exceeding USD10m.
- Acted on a UK deposition in a WTO dispute with Samsung concerning an iPhone design right dispute.
Alan advises media clients on contractual disputes and regulatory risks, drawing on his litigation experience to resolve issues involving rights, distribution, sponsorship, and digital media platforms.
Experience
- Advised on the Court of Appeal and parallel Californian arbitration regarding the £17m film delivery claim re Starbright.
- Advised ITV on addressable advertising deals, series stacking and related VOD and IP delivery issues.
- Advised UKTV on advertising sales via C4.
- Advised on the financing arrangements for the Max Minghella film Teen Spirit.
- Advised on numerous disputes regarding the Hitman game series.
- Provided advice and coordination of seizure action re Fortnite game cheat seller.
- Advised on the Roblox consumer terms and account closures.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised by The Legal 500 for Gaming and Betting 2015-2022, 2025-2026
Recognised by Chambers UK for Gaming and Betting 2015–2022
Author of the litigation funding chapters in Blackstone’s Civil Practice guide 2005–2020
“The very smart Alan Owens is dedicated to the client and a good strategist.”
Chambers
“Alan Owens is a first-rate, highly intelligent and conscientious lawyer with excellent commercial judgement.”
Chambers
“Alan Owens is very knowledgeable, and has approached our cases with the necessary care, while reflecting on our business needs and what would be best for us as an outcome.”
The Legal 500 2022
“Excellent on commercial disputes in the media industry.”
The Legal 500 2020
“Highly intelligent.”
The Legal 500
“Adds great value”
The Legal 500
“Commercial litigator with over 20 years experience in IT and Telecoms… Owens is advising major telecoms companies in relation to the complex regulatory aspects of large-scale projects.”
The Legal 500
“Alan Owens focuses on disputes in the technology sector. Sources appreciate his skills in strategy and tactics adding that he is supportive, highly intelligent, and very conscientious.”
The Legal 500
“Alan Owens is enormously experienced across the whole range of gambling disputes. His great strategic sense, detailed knowledge of the industry and understanding of how it works mean that he should be the first port of call for gambling disputes.”
The Legal 500 2026
“Alan Owens at Keystone Law is an expert adviser in gaming and betting disputes, and is a standout practitioner in this field. He excels both in strategy and detail, and is a great team player.”
The Legal 500 2026
“Alan Owens is a real expert in the field, fully immersed in the statutory regime, regulatory rules and guidance, and relevant case law. He works tirelessly for his clients and demonstrates excellent tactical and strategic instincts.”
The Legal 500 2026
“Alan Owens is one of the best-known and most trusted advisers in gambling disputes. He is highly knowledgeable, efficient and practical, with an in-depth understanding of the sector.”
The Legal 500 2026
Alan qualified as a solicitor in 1997. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2023, he worked at the following firms:
- Wiggin
- DWF
- Morrison & Foerster