Flutter Entertainment, the gambling giant behind Isle of Man-based PokerStars, has appointed former Labour party deputy leader Tom Watson as an adviser to its board.

Flutter, which also owns Paddy Power, SkyBet and has a growing presence in America, revealed in August that demand for online poker and betting had boosted its revenues more than a fifth in the first half of the year, offsetting the near total cancellation of sporting events worldwide and the closure of its betting shops.

Former MP Mr Watson has previously been a vocal critic of the gambling industry and has been one of the most influential figures in British politics to drive the review of the 2005 Gambling Act.

Island-based former bookmaker Warwick Bartlett, chief executive of Global Betting and Gaming Consultants, likened the appointment as being similar to a ’gamekeeper turned poacher’.

Mr Bartlett said it was a good move by Flutter which was involved in a ’mega-merger’ with the Stars Group earlier this year.

He saw parallels with Facebook’s appointment of former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg who had previously criticised the social media giant.

Mr Watson will guide the company on best practice in its shops, marketing, customer service and anti-money laundering procedures. Flutter said the final details were still being confirmed but that it had been in conversations with Mr Watson since late spring and that he would be paid a retainer of ’less than six figures’.

’His role will be to bring a fresh and robust voice into the business, as it continues to look for ways to protect vulnerable customers, while also serving the majority who enjoy gambling as a safe leisure pursuit,’ the company said.

Mr Watson said: ’I have a long-standing interest in this sector and consistently called for action to protect those that may be potentially vulnerable to harm.

’In taking on this role in Flutter, I intend to get under the bonnet of the business - and the industry more widely - to understand how best to further develop and implement industry-leading responsible gambling policies.

’I strongly believe that working collaboratively with Flutter in this way will allow me to continue to drive positive change.’