Case: Reform Advocacy for a High-Risk Industry in an Emerging Market

In late 2019, our team was engaged to support the legislative and communications strategy for a government-led reform of a high-risk, previously unregulated industry in Eastern Europe. The objective was to bring legal clarity, investor transparency, and public accountability to a sector long associated with informal operations and reputational risk.

Our initial responsibility was to develop and implement a national media strategy in support of the reform. This included public communication, narrative development, and active engagement with state institutions, international observers, and potential market participants. The goal was to shape informed public discourse while helping to de-risk the reform in the eyes of both domestic stakeholders and international investors.

Following the adoption of the primary legislation, our team was invited to lead the industry’s new national association. At its height, the association represented around 80% of the licensed market, including operators, service providers, media platforms, and international event organizers.

We expanded our work to include government relations, policy consultation, and direct participation in the drafting and review of secondary legislation. Our contributions covered areas such as taxation, advertising restrictions, compliance frameworks, and supervisory mechanisms. A substantial number of our proposals were reflected in the legal acts that now govern the sector.

Throughout the project, we prioritized transparent governance, long-term policy alignment, and constructive dialogue with regulators. This approach helped anchor the reform in a broader institutional context and provided the foundation for a credible, rules-based market in a politically sensitive industry.