Breaking Barriers: A Journey through the Sports Betting Industry with Sylvia Tiscareño

Sylvia Tiscareno
Sylvia Tiscareño is a force of nature and someone we can all learn from!

Today, we’re very excited to sit down and chat with Sylvia Tiscareño, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary at GAN Ltd.

Sylvia previously served as Assistant General Counsel at Aristocrat Technologies, Inc., and as General Counsel of William Hill, Inc. In October of 2021, she received an award for ICONIC Women of Distinction by the National Association of Women Business Owners, and is just the kind of gaming professional we are enthusiastic to speak with!

Sylvia and I talked about her experiences, perspectives, and the advice she has for women seeking to enter the sports gambling world.

How have you navigated the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry throughout your career? 

Sylvia. When I became an attorney, I officially joined a predominantly male profession. While today about 40% of attorneys are female, as a Latina, I am a proud member of the 2% club. As a result, I have cut my teeth in homogenous industries; the lack of diversity in gaming leadership, especially sports betting, did not faze me. 

In hindsight, my upbringing likely had a lot to do with it. My father did not use the “princess” trope with my sisters and me. He was very supportive of the things I was interested in and encouraged me to pursue my goals such as earning a black belt at a martial arts school even when, for a long time, I was one of very few women (the school ultimately became more diverse). As a result, I went from wrestling with my brother at home to sparring with my male schoolmates; they did not go easy on me and I was not one to back down from a challenge. Those types of experiences, coupled with my childhood, allowed me to be very comfortable in my own skin and become a person who is not easily impressed or intimidated.       

As a woman in leadership in the sports betting industry, what advice do you have for other women looking to advance in this field?

Sylvia. My advice applies generally and it is not a popular opinion – I continue to insist that women stop focusing on conversations such as “work/life balance” and imposter syndrome. Neuroplasticity is real and women need to start feeding their brains with narratives that are neither self-limiting nor destructive. 

Trust that there will always be folks out there that want to be toxic and create barriers so leave that dirty work to them and focus on reaching both short- and long-term goals that will lead to professional advancement.     

How has your experience as General Counsel for William Hill prepared you for your role as Chief Legal Officer at GAN?

Sylvia. Professionally, my experience at William Hill was really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I was fortunate to have worked in the sports betting industry before it was “sexy.” Once the U.S. Supreme Court deemed PASPA unconstitutional, the original core group of leaders I worked with at William Hill came together in a way that was truly special. 

I was also able to meet some amazing folks and had the opportunity to work on a lot of “firsts,” such as the first North American professional sports team/sports book sponsorship and the first U.S. “in-arena” sports book deal. 

When you couple those experiences with massive growth/expansion and a pandemic, I left the organization having experienced a unique set of circumstances that not only prepared me for my current role but anything I choose to do professionally.  

What role do you see technology playing in the future of sports betting? 

Sylvia. It is incredibly important and ever-evolving; I see it continuing to change and advance the industry, which will need to be tempered against applicable laws and regulations. Sports betting has been around for a long time in other parts of the world, so it is especially critical in the competitive U.S. market. When you consider the user experience, AI, odds, and data feeds, technology – and the people behind it – are driving the industry.  

As a woman who has achieved success in the sports betting industry, what do you think are the key qualities that have helped you get to where you are today? 

Sylvia. Once I understood that advancement based on merit was a fairytale, I simply focused on my own integrity and my professional “toolbox” by creating a list of short- and long-term goals. Ultimately, grit goes a long way, and advocating for yourself is an absolute must.      

How do you think the industry has changed in terms of gender diversity since you first started working in it? 

Sylvia. Sadly, not much has changed and according to the data, the pandemic only made things worse. I attended an event where I learned that, at the current pace, it will take well over 100 years to close the gender gap, generally. This is unacceptable.        

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing women who want to pursue careers in the sports betting industry today? 

Sylvia. Immediately, two things come to mind: employee referral programs and the double-edged sword that is known as “networking.” Obviously, building connections is important, but the problem is that rarely do people network in diverse groups. This is why, statistically, employee referral programs are so damaging to creating diversity and, more importantly, inclusivity. 

Furthermore, the idea of merit-based advancement is truly a myth. While there are obviously instances of it occurring in the industry, it is very much a situation of “in spite of” versus “because of.”

In your opinion, what specific steps can organizations take to attract and retain more women in leadership roles within the sports betting industry? 

Sylvia. Behavior is a language – if nothing is changing, then it is simply not important for an organization.  For those organizations looking to evolve and enhance the bottom line, there are many resources available, for free and online, that will facilitate a path toward both attracting and retaining great talent.  If an organization is overwhelmed, hire a reputable consultant. One simple approach is to identify an organization that is successful in this area and adopt a similar strategy.     

What do you see as the most significant opportunities for growth in the sports betting industry in the coming years? 

Sylvia. Simply put – technology and innovation will continue to be the driving force in the industry. 

What do women want?   

Sylvia. Women are not a monolith so I will not pretend to know the specific answer. Generally, you really can’t go wrong with respect, empowerment, and optionality.

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