Botswana 2023
16 – 19 October 2023
The latest research, trends and innovations shaking up the global gaming market
Bringing ideas together
The exchange of excellence and innovation in regulatory practice
Important update: IAGR2024 is heading to Rome from 21 to 24 October 2024. More information will be shared in early 2024.
IAGR2023 was held in beautiful Botswana.
Over four packed days from 16 to 19 October, attendees experienced insightful speakers, thought-provoking panels, networking events, an award-winning venue, and warm Botswanan hospitality.
With warm thanks to event host and partner, the Botswana Gambling Authority.
A few words from our event host
The format
Day One – Monday 16 October
- GLI seminar morning from 9am to 12pm
- IAGR Conference begins from 1pm
- Half a day of presentations with expert speakers
- Lunch and afternoon refreshments
- Opening Reception and cultural night
Day Two – Tuesday 17 October
- Official VIP opening with His Excellency the President of the Republic of Botswana, Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi
- Full conference day with expert speakers and panels
- Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
- IAGR AGM
Day Three – Wednesday 18 October
- Full conference day with expert speakers and panels
- Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
- Gala Dinner with International Regulatory Awards ceremony
Day Four – Thursday 19 October
- Half-day conference with expert speakers and panels
- Morning tea and final networking lunch
- Closing remarks
Unrivalled networking opportunities
Attending IAGR conferences isn’t just about world-class conference sessions and panels. Attendees also have the chance to connect and build relationships with global gambling regulators, industry stakeholders and thought leaders in person.
Networking opportunities include conference refreshment breaks, luncheons, the Opening Reception and a Gala Dinner.
If you’re wondering if now is the right time to invest in understanding the latest research, innovation, industry developments and trends, I’ll ask you a question. If not now, when?
The sooner you can get up to speed with the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow, the easier you and your jurisdiction will be able to keep pace with our interconnected industry.
– Jason Lane, IAGR President 2023
What topics will be covered?
Over four days, attendees heard about:
- Regulatory applications for artificial intelligence, big data and biometrics
- Non-cash payment technology
- AI enhancing risk-based supervision and player protection
- Regulating emerging technology
- Threat detection, assessment and interception in the casino environment
- Responsible gambling innovation
- Positive / safer gambling behaviours
- Defining and measuring gambling harm
- International standards and mutual recognition
- Behavioural insights nudging better decisions and safer gambling
- Gambling advertising, public sentiment and regulatory approaches
- Compliance and enforcement approaches and decisions
- Regulatory failures and lessons learned
- eSports gambling and integrity arrangements
- Convergence of gaming and gambling implications
- Industry innovation and emerging products
- Blockchain and cryptocurrency
- Threat of serious and organised crime
Who was IAGR2023 for?
- Global gaming regulators
- Government stakeholders
- Gaming industry thought leaders
- Gaming industry researchers and academics
Improving the efficiency of gambling regulation on a global scale
IAGR was established to provide a voice for the global gaming regulatory industry and improve the efficiency of gambling regulation worldwide.
Our mission is to bring regulators together, facilitate meaningful conversations with local and international governments, and drive innovation and thought leadership to support the gaming regulation industry.
As a non-profit, every dollar from our membership and conference is reinvested into initiatives supporting our members.
We created our annual conference to give you the opportunity to tap into leading international perspectives and insights, enabling and empowering you to achieve world-class regulatory benchmarks at home.
Each year the conference creates an unrivalled opportunity to network and build vital relationships with industry peers, operators and thought leaders.
The conference is now an unmatched event in the gaming regulation calendar.
With thanks to our partners and sponsors
A few words from previous conference attendees
"Though gaming regulations are a national business, it is important to network, knowledge - share and collaborate with peers from all over the world, to raise the level of experience and expertise in the global gaming regulation. Attending the IAGR conferences also provide us with information about new tendencies, which inspire us in our daily work."
"As a regulator for twenty years, I regard the annual IAGR conference as the most valuable networking meeting point. Attending this conference you will share and achieve knowledge, establish new connections, and listen to very qualified speakers."
“The IAGR conference consistently provides a fabulous agenda filled with expert speakers and engaging content from which I have benefitted enormously. I have made extensive contacts with fellow regulators that I often call upon for support, knowledge and learning and pleased to say I am frequently asked to provide the same to others. Without IAGR my learning, as a regulator, would have been slower and my missteps greater.”
Your investment
Prices below are listed in USD
| IAGR Members | Non Members | Guest/spouse registration |
| Full access to 4 day conference, daily lunch and refreshments, access to Opening Reception and Gala Dinner, access to conference recordings | Full access to 4 day conference, daily lunch and refreshments, access to Opening Reception and Gala Dinner, access to conference recordings | Access to Opening Reception and Gala Dinner |
| $1100 | $1600 | $650 |
But wait, there's more
Our hosts the Botswana Gambling Authority generously organised some networking and sightseeing events attendees could take part in at no extra cost.
- Golf Day – Sunday 15 October (limited spots available)
- Morning and afternoon sightseeing tours – Friday 20 October
Convenient accommodation options
The venue for IAGR2023 is the Grand Palm Hotel Casino Convention Resort. The award-winning conference venue is just a short drive from the city centre of Gaborone and 20 minutes from the international airport.
Ticket to IAGR2023 included lunch and refreshments at the venue each day of the conference.
The resort includes two hotels, the five-star Walmont Hotel and the three-star Metcourt Inn. Dining options include the Beer Baron Rib and Grill Room and Mokolwane Bistro.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions, answered. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, contact us on iagr@iagr.org.
How do I buy a ticket to the conference?
The event took place in 2023 and you can no longer buy a ticket.
Where is the conference being held?
The conference took place at the Grand Palm Hotel Casino Convention Resort. Cnr Bonnington Farm and Molepolole Road, Gaborone
Where is the Opening Reception held and how do I get there from the conference?
The Opening Reception and Cultural night will be held at the National Museum in Gaborone. The event starts at 6.30pm on Monday 16 October.
Shuttle buses will be provided for delegates from 6pm from the Grand Palm Resort car park, taking delegates to the National Museum and from the venue back to the resort at the conclusion of the event.
The National Museum is located at the centre of Gaborone, 161 Queens Road and is a ten-minute drive (6.6km) from The Grand Palm Hotel Casino and Convention Resort.
Where is the Gala Dinner held and how to I get there from the conference?
The Gala Dinner will be held outside at the Three Dikgosi Monument, which is at the Central Business District (CBD) from 6.30pm on Wednesday 18 October. There will be shelter in case of rain.
The venue is 5.1km from the Grand Palm Casino and Convention Resort.
Shuttle buses will be provided for delegates from 6pm from the Grand Palm Resort car park to the Three Dikgosi Monument and from the venue back to the resort at the conclusion of the event.
When does the conference open and close?
- Conference registration from 8am, Monday 16 October
- GLI Seminar from 9am to 11.45am on Monday 16 October
- Conference opening, 1pm, Monday 16 October
- Conference closes, 1pm, Thursday 19 October
What do I need to bring with me to the conference?
We recommend bringing your laptop if you’re the kind of person who likes to type up notes. Bring your mobile phone so you can access the conference app and share your conference highlights on social media. Pads and pens, water, mints, lunch and refreshments will be provided.
What’s the dress code?
The dress code for the conference and the Opening Reception is smart casual. There is air-conditioning at both venues to keep things comfortable.
The Gala Dinner is formal, we suggest cocktail wear. However, please remember that the Gala Dinner venue is outside and after sunset, with shelter in case of rainfall.
In October, Gaborone experiences high temperatures and moderate rainfall. Day temperatures typically settle at around 32°C (89.6°F). But by evening, they drop to around 18°C (64.4°F). During the conference week, sunset is around 6.20pm.
Do I need to bring a printed ticket?
No. We’ll have a list of who’s coming at the conference desk, and we’ll give you a name badge to wear throughout the conference.
Will there be internet access at the conference?
Yes, complimentary WiFi access will be available to all attendees.
What’s included in my conference ticket?
Your conference ticket includes access to the full four-day conference, plus the GLI Seminar.
This includes refreshments and lunch each day. Your ticket also includes access to the Opening Reception (with drinks and dinner), the Gala Dinner, the optional Golf Day (limited numbers) on Sunday 15 October and sight-seeing tours on Friday 20 October.
Can my partner/spouse come with me to the social events?
Yes, there is a ticket option available for travel partners to attend the social events. You can revisit your registration and add social event tickets, or you can purchase onsite at the conference registration desk.
What hashtags should I use if I’m posting about the conference?
We’d love you to share key insights, photos and ‘aha!’ moments through your social media, particularly on LinkedIn. Please use #IAGR2023.
Is there a conference app?
Yes. We’ll be in touch with ticketholders with details at least one week before the conference.
Can I connect with other attendees before/after the conference?
Yes, the conference app will include the option to share your details with other attendees. You can use this to view other attendees and arrange your own meetings or chats.
Where should I stay?
For convenience, we suggest you stay at the conference venue, the Grand Palm Hotel Casino Convention Resort. There are two hotel options, and a conference discount is available.
What about the food and dietary requirements?
Morning and afternoon tea breaks with refreshments will be provided during the conference. We’ll provide lunch during the conference from Monday to Thursday.
Dinner will be available at the Opening Reception and a sit-down formal meal will be served at the Gala Dinner.
You should have already provided your dietary requirements when you registered, but feel free to reach out to us at iagr@iagr.org if anything has changed.
Will the conference sessions be recorded?
Yes sessions will be recorded. We will share the videos with all attendees around two weeks after the event.
You’ll receive a separate notification after the conference with details on accessing the content. The content will be available to all ticketholders for 12 months.
I can no longer attend, can I get a refund?
If you can’t attend for any reason, please contact us at mquinn@iagr.org to either exchange your ticket with a colleague or get a refund.
What travel requirements are in place for Botswana?
Here’s a link to learn about visa categories and travel requirements to enter Botswana. We suggest you also consider any travel requirements to enter and exit your jurisdiction, and any countries you might stop over on your way to or from Botswana.
All citizens of Commonwealth countries do not require a visa except those from Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Foreign nationals whose countries have signed a Visa Abolition Agreement with Botswana are also not required to apply for a visa. Below is a list of all the countries that require visas.
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Angola
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Djibouti
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kirghizia (Kyrgyzstan)
- Korea DPR
- Kuwait
- Laos PDR
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Moldova
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Panama
- Philippines
- Poland
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Syria
- Taiwan
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
- Yemen
Can I exchange my currency at the venue?
The Grand Palm does not have a currency exchange desk. There is a currency exchange at the airport and at nearby shopping malls. We suggest you make your currency exchange arrangements at the airport.
What vaccines are recommended for travel to Botswana?
Individual cases may vary. We suggest you speak with your doctor to find out what you might need to do before you travel.
I'm from a media outlet and I'd like to attend the conference, who should I speak to?
Please contact Carla Ellerby, IAGR’s Communications Manager, in the first instance.
When is the Golf Day?
Numbers for the Golf Day are limited and it is now fully booked.
The optional Golf Day takes place the day before the conference, on Sunday 15 October at the Stanbic Gaborone Golf Club. It will kick off early with a shuttle bus taking attendees from the Grand Palm Resort around 8.30 a.m. and returning to the resort in the afternoon.
Let's do this
By building a strong network of senior regulatory and industry leaders, we can improve the effectiveness of gambling regulation across the globe.
See you in Botswana.