The International Association of Gaming Regulators’ (IAGR) much anticipated annual conference, Disrupting the Regulator: Sparking innovation in regulatory practice, was postponed earlier this year, due to the major disruption and associated public health related restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.

IAGR’s regulatory innovation focused conference has been rescheduled to 12 – 17 September 2021 and will be hosted by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission in Boston.

Reflecting on the his term as IAGR President, Mr Paul Newson, outgoing IAGR President said: ‘We were unable to bring the gambling regulatory community together at the IAGR annual conference, where we had hoped to collectively explore how to build appetite and excite the adoption of regulatory technology. These conversations are vitally important to introduce new capability and ways of working, and I am sure when they are able to occur at the IAGR 2021 conference in Boston they will support efficient and effective gambling regulation globally which underpins sustainable industry.

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‘2020 has been punctuated with challenge and uncertainty for everyone. While IAGR’s bold ambition for what could be achieved to advance our strategic direction was dampened, we have continued to build our association’s profile and reach. We have also been exploring potential new strategic initiatives that will advance IAGR’s mission and enhance our contribution to gambling regulation globally.

‘While IAGR’s trustees continue to explore possible avenues, there is rich opportunity for IAGR to take a more active role in regulatory policy and practice advocacy, leveraging partnerships, advocating for greater regulatory harmony and mutual recognition, adopting a leadership role in standards setting and fostering increased international information and intelligence exchange and collaboration.

‘I am grateful for the privilege to have led IAGR for the previous year and I am excited about the enormous potential it has to grow its leadership role and help shape gambling regulatory policy and practice globally. The talented leadership and Board of Trustees are exceptionally well placed to build IAGR’s influence and drive its future success.

While I am transitioning to a new role to lead Senet’s Regulatory Advisory Practice, I look forward to staying connected and contributing to the international regulatory dialogue.

Incoming President, Mabutho Zwane, Chief Executive at the Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board, said, ‘I am honoured and excited by the opportunity to assume the role of IAGR president, especially at this particularly important time where there is a significant opportunity to leverage technology to bring global regulators together and to drive regulatory practice.

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Paul has provided immeasurable skill and knowledge to his work as IAGR President, setting IAGR on a pathway to become the preeminent voice on gambling regulation internationally.

I am sure the IAGR members and the Board of Trustees will join me in thanking Paul for his leadership through what has been an exceptionally challenging time, and to wish him all the best in his new role at Senet.’