Former Australian regulator and head of the Regulatory Advisory Practice of law firm Senet, Paul Newson, has stepped down as President of the International Association of Gaming Regulators’ (IAGR), handing over the reins to Chief Executive of the South Africa’s Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board, Mabutho Zwane.
Newson assumed the role last year, however the IAGR was forced to postpone its annual conference in Boston, Massachusetts, until September 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reflecting on the his term as IAGR President, Newson 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.
“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.”
IAGR consists of representatives from gaming regulatory organizations throughout the world. Its mission is to advance the effectiveness and efficiency of gaming regulation.
Incoming President Zwane said, “I am honored 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.”
RelatedPosts
