Online Betting Policy Fellow

Arnold Ventures (AV) is a philanthropy that supports research to understand the root causes of America’s most persistent and pressing problems, as well as evidence-based solutions to address them. By focusing on systemic change and bipartisan policy reforms, AV works to improve the lives of American families, strengthen communities, and promote economic opportunity. 

Position Overview  

Online betting markets – including online sports betting, online casino gaming, and sports-related event contracts – are expanding quickly, and the policy and regulatory frameworks governing them have struggled to keep pace. This is putting consumers, particularly young men, at risk. Policymakers at both the state and federal levels are taking notice but need better data about the impact of these products and the reforms to ensure that online betting markets are well-regulated, transparent, and designed with public health and consumer protection in mind. 

The Fellow will help lead AV’s efforts to strengthen the evidence base around the impact of these new gambling products and to generate actionable insights for policymakers, regulators, and advocates who want stronger guardrails around these products. The Fellow will develop real-time intelligence and analysis across state and federal policy; translate complex market dynamics and rigorous research into impactful policy recommendations; and drive a grantmaking and policy change strategy that will advance evidence-based reforms. 

This role offers opportunities for hands-on policy analysis, project development, and close collaboration with senior leadership, including the CEO and Co-Founders. The role may be based in AV’s Houston, Washington, DC, or New York offices. 

Core Responsibilities 

• Lead the development and execution of AV’s online betting strategy, leveraging the full set of philanthropic tools and direct engagement approaches to drive positive change 

• Build a grantmaking portfolio – identifying field gaps, cultivating partners, evaluating proposals, and providing ongoing engagement with and oversight of grantees – that supports research, policy development, policymaker education, and implementation to drive evidence-informed reforms in sports betting and related domains 

• Develop coherent, evidence-based policy frameworks and policy goals across sports betting and related products, reflecting a command of evidence, product mechanics, legal durability, and political feasibility 

• Track and synthesize legislative, regulatory, and operator developments related to sports betting, online casino gambling, and sports-related event contracts, translating them into timely, decision-ready guidance for AV leadership 

• Engage with policymakers, regulators, researchers, advocates, and, where appropriate, industry stakeholders in a variety of settings to represent and advance AV’s perspective and support adoption of evidence-based policy reforms 

• Partner with AV’s advocacy, research, and communications teams to ensure that analysis, strategy, and public positioning are aligned 

• Frequent travel to AV offices as well as travel to engage with state and local stakeholders and policymakers 

Term 

The Fellow will be in a regular, full-time position and eligible to participate in AV’s benefits plan. We anticipate that the Fellow will be appointed for a two-year fixed term. 

Required Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, public policy, political science, law, or another relevant field 

• 10 years of work experience in gambling or financial regulation, consumer protection, legislative or regulatory policy, research, consulting, or a related domain 

• Proven ability to synthesize complex policy, regulatory, and market developments into clear strategic insights, actionable recommendations, and concrete solutions, and to communicate those for both expert and nontechnical audiences 

• Experience engaging with state or federal policy processes, or demonstrated ability to ramp up quickly 

• Strong independent judgment and comfort operating under conditions of ambiguity 

• Alignment with AV’s mission, and a drive to make a meaningful impact 

The salary range for this position will be $200,000-$250,000. 

Benefits Overview  

AV is committed to providing a robust and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our current benefits package includes 100% paid employee premiums for medical, dental, vision, basic life, and short- and long-term disability insurance; 20 days of paid time off, 16 paid holidays (including a winter break from December 24 to January 1), a hybrid policy that includes four days in office and one flexible day for remote work, and a summer schedule with alternating Fridays off beginning on Memorial Day and ending on Labor Day; paid parental leave; a 401k retirement savings plan with an employer match, profit-share contribution, and immediate vesting; pre-tax transit benefits; a professional development stipend; a charitable giving stipend; and an employee assistance program. 

Our Culture and Core Values  

Our culture seeks to inspire and empower our people to innovate and develop bold ideas that will help AV achieve lasting impact. Our culture, and the core values that support it, should create an environment that spurs our team to think outside the box, feel comfortable pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and signal confidence in our team’s ability to make change happen through our philanthropic efforts. Although not an exhaustive list, below you’ll find examples of AV’s work culture. 

• We are adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity 

• We are intellectually curious, open-minded, objective, humble, collegial, and receptive to feedback 

• We are action-oriented with strong self-direction and self-motivation skills, with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects 

• We are able to interact confidently and collaboratively with team members and navigate relationships with external experts, government leaders, advocates, and individuals 

AV’s values reflect who we are as an organization, help us accelerate our strategic goals, strengthen our resolve, anchor us to our mission, and guide our decision-making. The successful candidate will also demonstrate the following core values that inspire the AV team to make a difference. 

• Respect for Ourselves & Others 

• Audacious Action 

• Collaborative Engagement 

• Depth of Thought 

• Clear Communication 

AV is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive workplace. We are seeking applicants from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of experiences and perspectives. Candidates who have been impacted by the systems we are seeking to change are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, military/​veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.