Renowned Experts in Law, Compliance, and Sports Integrity Appointed to Govern Global Player Protection Initiative
1xCare, the non-profit responsible gambling initiative established by the owner of global operator brand 1xBet, has officially announced the creation of a four-member independent Advisory Committee.
Chaired by industry executive Simon Westbury, the newly formed committee is tasked with strengthening the oversight, transparency, and effectiveness of 1xCare’s player protection programmes. Westbury is joined by a distinguished panel of experts specializing in gambling regulation, public policy, corporate governance, and sports integrity.
Directing Strategy Across Four Core Pillars
The newly appointed committee will take direct responsibility for 1xCare’s operational framework. By expanding the committee’s remit to include funding allocation, ethical standards, and legal compliance, 1xCare aims to align its international player protection efforts with the strictest requirements of regulated gambling jurisdictions.
1xCare Committee Structure & Key Areas of Responsibility
The table below outlines the division of responsibilities among the newly appointed board members:
| Committee Member | Core Domain Expertise | Primary Responsibilities & Initiatives |
| Simon Westbury (Chairperson) | Strategic Leadership & NGO Governance | Directs overall board strategy, serves as primary spokesperson, and monitors ethical compliance. |
| Quirino Mancini (Partner, WH Partners) | Gambling Regulation & Corporate Law | Leads the regulatory stream; advises on licensing standards, risk management, and research ethics. |
| Chris Bird (Former COO, Manchester City FC) | Sports Integrity & Commercial Partnerships | Oversees the sports and sponsorships stream within the EduCare pillar, focusing on athletic integrity. |
| Sissel Weitzhändler (Former Compliance Director, Allwyn) | Public Policy & Regulatory Affairs | Manages public-interest funding, drives NGO accountability, and collaborates with state regulators. |
Profiles of the Independent Appointees
Each member of the Advisory Committee brings specialized experience designed to bolster the credibility and reach of the non-profit’s programs:
- Simon Westbury (Chairperson): Leveraging his extensive executive experience, Westbury will provide top-level strategic direction, act as the primary voice of the initiative, and ensure strict compliance with international non-profit operating standards.
- Quirino Mancini: A partner at corporate law firm WH Partners and the former President of the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL), Mancini will ensure that 1xCare’s initiatives meet the evolving legal and licensing frameworks of mature jurisdictions.
- Chris Bird: Drawing on his background as the former Chief Operating Officer of Premier League club Manchester City FC, Bird will lead efforts to integrate safer gambling messaging into sports partnerships and team dynamics under the EduCare banner.
- Sissel Weitzhändler: Formerly the Director of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs at Allwyn, Weitzhändler will manage 1xCare’s public policy initiatives, audit funding streams for public-interest programs, and coordinate evidence-based interventions directly with government regulators.
Executive Commentary: A Commitment to Genuine Accountability
The leadership team emphasized that the committee’s independence is crucial to ensuring that player protection remains a measurable objective rather than a corporate marketing exercise.
Simon Westbury, Chairperson of the 1xCare Advisory Committee, commented on the board’s mandate:
“An initiative like this is judged by the people willing to stand behind it. We have brought together independent expertise in gambling regulation, law and sports integrity, and given the committee genuine authority over how our programmes are governed and funded.
“Responsible gambling is not a slogan; it is a duty, and this committee exists to hold us to it.”
