Australian gambling law firm Senet will be hosting its first-ever London edition of Regulating the Game. The conference, already established in Australia, is set to take place on September 25-29, featuring a 5-day immersive program that focuses on leading-edge research, regulatory policy and practice, and ethical leadership in the gambling sector.
To deepen its knowledge of what the upcoming event entails, Yogonet spoke with Paul Newson, Principal at Senet, who shared insights into the conference, its program, speakers, and the benefits of participating.
In September, Senet Advisory will be hosting the ‘Regulating the Game’ conference in London. This will be the first time the Australian event takes place in this new location. What are your expectations in terms of reception and stakeholder presence?
Regulating the Game has built an impressive reputation in Sydney, distinguishing itself by its focus on engaging with regulatory policy and practice, and on cultivating compliance orientation underpinned by regulatory and sector leadership.
It’s an intensive 5-day conference structured to immerse in key themes each day, and we are thrilled to have some high-profile regulatory and industry leaders speaking, as well as the International Center for Gaming Regulation from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, delivering 8 sessions which adds unique value and perspective.
We have received lots of inquiries about the London program from a range of jurisdictions interested in sending staff, and expect a strong mix of regulatory and industry attendees. We are also encouraging younger regulatory and industry professionals to attend through our 30 under 30 promotion which gives a great discount for the first 30 to secure a ticket.
What propelled this decision to expand the brand? What can you tell us about the history of this event and how do you expect to carry the essence of this conference to London?
The conference purposefully brings all stakeholders together to hear expert content designed to stimulate conversation and debate about best practice regulation and explore thinking and perspectives about navigating the tension between bettering safer gambling and compliance outcomes, while invigorating the sector.
Similar to the Sydney conference, the London event adopts the structured 5-day agenda which covers:
- Day 1- Regulatory Briefings & Engagement
- Day 2 – Anti-Money Laundering and Responsible Gambling
- Day 3 – Leadership, Integrity, Ethics and Stakeholder Engagement
- Day 4 – Industry and Regulatory Technology and Innovation
- Day 5 – Regulatory & Industry Operations and Practice
The first day is focused on hearing from key regulatory leaders and we are very fortunate to have distinguished speakers including Cathy Judd-Stein, Chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission; Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, Chairwoman of The National Gambling Authority (ANJ); Harris Tsangarides, Chief Executive Officer of Cyprus Gaming, and Casino Supervision Commission; Andrew Lyman, Executive Director and Gambling Commissioner at Gibraltar; and Tim Miller, Executive Director of the Gambling Commission all traveling to appear at Regulating the Game London.
We also have several high-profile former regulators including Becky Harris, former Chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board; and Dan Hartman, Former Director of the Colorado Division of Gaming.
Our approach for the London conference delivers speakers and content highly relevant to the UK and Europe while providing an international lens and perspectives to extend thinking and discussion and provide contrast and opportunities for collaboration. We have assembled a compelling line-up of senior regulatory and sector leaders and international experts throughout the agenda.
The conference will feature three networking events, including Pitch!, in which several companies and executives will participate. What can you tell us about this particular event? And what impact could ‘Regulating the Game’ as a whole have in terms of networking and on the business strategy of its attendees?
Pitch! is an awakening for Regtech and innovators in the sector! We are introducing Pitch! at the London conference and it’s all about exciting interest in innovative technology, thinking, and practices.
Pitch! is on Tuesday evening and it’s been designed to showcase innovative approaches to compliance, AML, and safer gambling challenges and spark curiosity in emerging technology and solutions that can uplift capability and operator performance and help invigorate the sector. It’s also a key networking session to connect with fellow attendees, peers, and sector stakeholders and enjoy dinner, drinks, and entertainment.
We have invited firms to pitch leading-edge products and services that introduce step changes in activities and outcomes for the sector. We are also interested in presentations on emerging practices and trends in industry supervision, safer gambling, and anti-money laundering arrangements. We have received tremendous interest in the Pitch! event and will be announcing more candidates in the coming weeks.
The networking at Regulating the Game distinguishes the conference from other events because we purposefully bring all stakeholders together to connect, spark conversation, and build dialogue and relationships. Attending Regulating the Game means you will leave with an enhanced network to leverage greater insights and collaboration.
It also helps that we have terrific entertainment at the networking events and an after-dinner address at the Gala Dinner from a distinguished speaker. For the London conference, we are fortunate to have Earle G. Hall, CEO of the fintech AXES.ai. giving the address at The Crypt at St Martin-in-the-Fields.
There is still time to submit an expression of interest to deliver a Pitch! Just send a submission telling us about the product or service and why it’s a game changer.
Which issues would you say are driving today’s agenda in the world of compliance and regulation, specifically in the UK? Do they differ from those in Australia? How does ‘Regulating the Game’ tackle these issues?
I think many jurisdictions have been watching the policy debate and developments in the UK, including the extended uncertainty arising from the ongoing Review of the Gambling Act with much interest.
It’s always challenging to make informed observations about another jurisdiction. What I can say is that we read a lot about policy activism and lobbying for more severe, even draconian controls on the sector. It’s healthy to have policy conversation and debate that engages all stakeholders and underpins an informed and engaged public square. It’s also important that there is highly visible, consistent, and meaningful advocacy from the industry, and a standout voice looking from afar, is the standards of the Betting and Gaming Council.
It’s also important to acknowledge that the UK and Australian markets have similarities but are also vastly different. The UK market has a significant online industry, including wagering and sports betting, online casinos, as well as land-based operators. Despite a mix of land-based and online industries, the sector demonstrates it is putting downward pressure on gambling harm.
The latest data from the Gambling Commission shows the overall headline problem gambling rate is statistically stable at 0.3%, whereas in Australia, where in-play betting and online-style casino gambling including online poker are prohibited, a problem gambling prevalence rate of around 0.8 – 1% is typically maintained.
While we recognize the differences, many of the policy and industry issues and challenges are common, and it’s remarkable how Regulating the Game facilitates an exchange of ideas, experience, and insights about regulatory policy and approaches and industry practices which helps build perspective and understanding, and uplift capability and better outcomes.
Part of the unique character of Regulating the Game is its purposeful engagement with key regulatory and sector leaders as well as bringing expert practitioners and industry together to share knowledge and provoke thinking and discussion for the betterment of the sector.
As you noted, the conference comes at a time of change for the UK gambling industry, amid the publication of the much-awaited White Paper, calls to limit advertising in sports, and more. How will the event shed light on this evolving landscape?
Regulating the Game advocates curiosity and critical thinking, contests ideas, and encourages all stakeholders to be engaged and active in the public square, contributing knowledge and insights, hearing diverse perspectives to best inform public policy thinking and discussions, and helping influence robust regulatory settings and approaches and invigorate industry.
When it comes to knowledge and insights on developments in the UK gambling industry, we have some impressive speakers including Tim Miller, Executive Director at the Gambling Commission, as well as the leading lawyers and regulatory practitioners including Julian Harris, Consultant and Founder at Harris Hagan; Steve Ketteley, Partner at Wiggin; and Dan Waugh from Regulus Partners. We have the UK industry well covered and the conference is also very fortunate to have other highly regarded guest speakers as well as the International Centre for Gaming Regulation program faculty.
It is a time of change in the UK and other jurisdictions which makes it doubly important to be involved and have a voice in Regulating the Game. We have a compelling agenda with amazing speakers and content and the opportunity to contribute to policy and industry discussions and network with peers and attendees from the UK and around the world. We look forward to welcoming you to the London conference in September!
