Stephen Crystal
Stephen Crystal is the Founder and CEO of SCCG Management, a consultancy for the global casino, sports betting and iGaming industries. Active since 1992, SCCG supports operators and suppliers across licensing, market access, M&A, capital raising, technology and regulatory affairs. Crystal is recognised for bringing European bookmakers into the US market and advising more than 120 gaming companies worldwide.
Bio
Founding SCCG Management
Crystal studied political science at Dartmouth College before earning a law degree in Washington in 1992. At 25, he was elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives, where he worked on voter access and social welfare legislation.
Shortly after leaving public office, he founded SCCG Management. Initially, the consultancy focused on regulatory and legal guidance for tribal and riverboat casinos. SCCG quickly became a connector between operators, legislators and investors as US tribal gaming and state licensing frameworks were emerging.
Casino Ownership in Las Vegas
In 2000, Crystal co-founded Barrick Gaming and moved from advising casinos to owning them. Barrick acquired six hotel-casinos in downtown Las Vegas, and Crystal became a licensed Nevada casino owner and executive.
After leaving Barrick in 2005, he focused on gaming technology and operations. Between 2006 and 2012, he led and advised several companies in electronic table games, bingo and keno systems, casino management platforms, lottery technology and Native American casino development.
SCCG Becomes a Global Advisory Force
While Crystal was active in casino ownership and tech, SCCG continued to expand. From its origins in 1992, it evolved into a global advisory firm covering sports betting, iGaming, mergers and acquisitions, capital formation, affiliate marketing, esports, IP protection and government affairs.
Crystal has been involved in more than $3bn in gaming finance and M&A projects. He has travelled to more than 100 countries while advising over 120 operators, suppliers, leagues, investors and technology firms. SCCG’s work spans licensing, product commercialisation, regulatory strategy and market access across North America, Europe and Latin America.
Sports Betting Partnerships and US Market Access
A key milestone came when Crystal developed the US operations of Betfred, the UK’s largest privately held bookmaker. Since 2018 he has served as Head of North America Development, securing licensing, market access and partnerships with the Cincinnati Bengals, Vegas Golden Knights and other major sports organisations.
He also helped establish regulated sports betting within tribal casinos after the repeal of PASPA. SCCG has since supported commercial and tribal partnerships across North and South America, including work with Brazilian law firm Abdala Advogados ahead of Brazil’s planned regulation. The firm also assisted the American Ultimate Disc League in obtaining sports betting approvals in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
Investment and SCCG Venture Fund
In 2021, Crystal launched the SCCG Venture Fund, investing in early-stage companies in sports betting, esports wagering, data, compliance, blockchain and responsible gaming. Its portfolio includes Sparket, BGaming, Winfellas, Golden Race, Zed Run, Snapscreen and Land Vegas.
Under Crystal’s direction, SCCG has also backed emerging entertainment formats such as the Pillow Fight Championship, while expanding into esports, fantasy sports, blockchain gaming and virtual sports.
He is known for one line that sums up his approach to business: “Everything worth doing starts with a conversation.”