The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has appointed Ms Suzy Neilan, a highly experienced leader with nearly 20 years of senior executive expertise in both public and private sectors, as its new CEO.

Ms Neilan brings significant senior leadership experience in regulation, transformation and customer service, and a track record delivering large scale technology and legislative change programs in highly regulated settings.

Ms Neilan is the Executive Director, Strategy at the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA), having held the position for over 3.5 years, including periods of Acting CEO. Prior to her current role, Ms Neilan had an extensive career in leadership and regulation positions within and with the Victorian public sector, as Executive Director, Service Delivery at the Victorian Building Authority, and General Manager, Infringement Management Enforcement Services at Tenix Solutions, managing the outsourced systems and services contract for the former Department of Justice.

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VGCCC Chair, Mr Chris O’Neill, said Ms Neilan would bring to bear many years of contributions to Australian communities and public sector accomplishments to the VGCCC.

“As the VGCCC enters the next phase of the program of transformation we began three years ago, Suzy’s experience leading digital and technology transformation, and her deep understanding of education, enforcement and compliance will continue to ensure the Commission is well placed to meet future challenges and ensure the integrity, safety and fairness of the gambling industry.

“Suzy’s commitment to achieving regulatory outcomes that benefit Victorians makes her a strong leader to support the Commission and head the agency’s executive leadership team.”

Mr O’Neill thanked Ms Annette Kimmitt AM for her leadership over the last three years, remarking that her stewardship of the VGCCC since taking up the inaugural CEO position in 2022 had been instrumental in the regulator’s evolution.

“Annette’s holistic vision and tenacious drive led the Commission’s transformation in its first years and with strategic focus, determined how we would work with the industry to ensure that our mandate to regulate in the public interest would be met.

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“On behalf of all at the VGCCC, I thank Annette for her exemplary service and dedication, and we wish her all the best for the future.”

Ms Neilan said she was looking forward to being part of the Commission’s continued evolution.

“I am excited by the opportunity to contribute to the VGCCC’s success and look forward to working with the dedicated and talented people at the VGCCC to make a positive difference for Victorian communities,” she said.

Ms Neilan will commence as CEO on 1 April 2025.

Nicolas Béraud (founder and CEO of Betclic) has been re-elected as the President of the French Online Gaming Association (AFJEL) at its General Meeting held on March 4.

Alexandre Roos, President and founder of Winamax, was appointed as the administrator and Vice-President of the association. AFJEL welcomed the tech pioneer, Winamax, in order to strengthen the action of the association, which now represents almost all companies in the online gaming sector.

Under the leadership of the President and its members, AFJEL will continue to promote the development of a legal, ethical, innovative and responsible online gaming offer and will strengthen its action in order to:

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• Intensify the fight against the illegal supply of online games, the massive expansion of which constitutes unfair and dangerous competition for companies in the sector, harms public health by affecting 4 million players and undermines France’s digital security.

• Strengthen player protection by adopting the highest technological and regulatory standards to provide a legal, safe, fun and responsible offering to French players.

• Establish fair and balanced market conditions, in terms of regulations and taxes, to strengthen technology-intensive companies that are strategic assets for state policy.

Nicolas Béraud, founder of Betclic and President of AFJEL, said: “I am honored to be able to continue to speak for our members at such an important time for our industry. Now strengthened by the arrival of Winamax, AFJEL is the only professional association to represent online gaming tech companies. Its members are essential strategic partners in protecting players, fighting cybercrime and the scourge of the illegal market, and securing the digital space with demanding technological standards.”

Alexandre Roos, President of Winamax and Vice-President of AFJEL, said: “I am very happy and honored to have been elected Vice-President of AFJEL in order to support the action of the members to lay the foundations of a favorable framework for gaming tech companies which are very strategic for the evolution of the sector.

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“As a pioneering French Tech company and leader in the sector, Winamax will provide its expertise and strengthen the association’s action at a time when the sector is facing major challenges such as securing the digital space for French players, in the face of the ever-increasing threat of the illegal market. The future of the sector and the cybersecurity of players depends on Tech companies at the forefront of innovation, resilient and agile to support a virtuous and responsible French ecosystem.”

The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has dismantled several illegal poker tournaments during the autumn 2024. Tens of thousands of euros in cash were found. The Authority also recently imposed a penalty payment order of up to €110,000 on an organiser of poker without a license.

Illegal poker tournaments are often part of undermining crime, where criminals use legal businesses (such as catering establishments) or citizens for criminal activities. In addition, poker players are at risk of gambling addiction, especially when playing in an uncontrolled environment with high stakes.

The KSA combats illegal gambling, including illegal poker. In the last quarter of 2024, KSA inspectors dismantled illegal poker tournaments in six operations, often in collaboration with the police and municipalities, in Amsterdam, Asten, The Hague, Rotterdam and Tilburg. Large amounts of cash were often found at the locations in question; in one case even 40,000 euros. In one of the operations, the catering establishment in question was permanently closed by order of the municipality.

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Organising poker tournaments on location where money can be won is only allowed by one party in the Netherlands. Since 1975, that has been Holland Casino. Outside of that, tournaments for prizes or bonuses (money or something that can be exchanged for money) are prohibited, unless in a closed circle (an existing group of people who know each other such as a family, relatives, nursing home, a company or members of an association) is being played.