Christina Thakor-Rankin

Christina is a renowned expert and thought leader in the gambling and iGaming industry. She has 30+ years of expertise across trading, operations, tech, and compliance. She co-founded the All-in Diversity Project, authored BSI’s international DEI standard, and leads simpal.ai, an AI tech startup. She’s a recognized industry speaker and ISO committee member developing AI standards.

What makes you a Risky Woman?

Happy to back myself. Got told women can’t hack it in the gambling sector but going on to prove them all wrong. Took a gamble on setting up a consultancy and AI business. Happy to fly the flag ‘if this girl can – so can you!’

Name your top 3 achievements

1. First female sportsbook trader in a 95% male white global industry.
2. Had a fight with ISO and won – resulting in the first formal BSI international standard for workplace DEI that’s now promoted alongside the ISO standard.
3. Persuading a Middle East (UAE) country to approve gambling.

What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?

Leaving a secure well paid job and going off to work at the Terracotta Army in China without knowing a single word of Chinese. And then on to Sudan – got caught in a civil war and shot at by snipers. That was a bit risky.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I worked as a Cher tribute act briefly.

What is the best quality for successful leaders in Risk?

Listening and knowing that the ‘devil’ is always in the detail.