Following the appointment of Kevin Mullally as IAGR’s first Chief Executive Officer, we asked Kevin what the new role means for members, what will stay the same, and where he sees the biggest opportunities for international cooperation.

Why is IAGR creating a CEO role now?

IAGR has grown significantly in its activity, expectations, and global reach. At the same time, the regulatory environment is becoming more complex and more interconnected. Regulators are responding to rapid technological innovation, expanding cross-border market activity, and evolving public expectations, often under heightened public and political scrutiny.

Creating a Chief Executive Officer role is a natural and strategic next step in IAGR’s evolution. It strengthens the organisation’s ability to execute consistently on the Board’s vision, deepen engagement with members, and enhance coordination across our expanding programme of work. As IAGR continues to mature, dedicated executive leadership ensures continuity, accountability, and sustained focus on long-term priorities.

Importantly, this is a proportionate and forward-looking step. The role is designed to build capacity sustainably while reinforcing what IAGR already does exceptionally well: convening regulators, facilitating shared learning, promoting best practices, and strengthening international cooperation.

Does this change IAGR’s governance or independence?

No. IAGR remains firmly member-led, with strategic direction set by the Board of Trustees on behalf of the membership.

The creation of a CEO role strengthens operational leadership and execution, but it does not alter governance structures or decision-making authority. Independence, integrity, and neutrality remain central to IAGR’s credibility and purpose.

My responsibility is to implement the Board’s strategy, support the work of IAGR’s committees, and ensure that the organisation delivers meaningful value to members. That includes upholding the high professional standards regulators expect and preserving IAGR’s regulator-first focus in all activities and partnerships.

At the same time, effective regulation benefits from informed understanding. Part of strengthening IAGR’s value will involve helping members better understand industry perspectives, emerging technologies, and operational realities in a structured and transparent manner. Through IAGR’s network and programmes, we can responsibly engage with the world’s leading subject matter experts, ensuring that regulators have access to high-quality technical, legal, and policy insight. This approach enhances regulatory effectiveness while fully safeguarding IAGR’s independence and member-led governance.

What will success look like for IAGR under your leadership?

Success will begin with listening.

IAGR’s strength comes from its members, and my first responsibility is to understand what you need most from this organisation. If we are successful, members will feel heard, supported, and meaningfully connected to peers across jurisdictions. Listening is not a preliminary step. It is an ongoing commitment that will shape priorities, programming, and partnerships.

Beyond that, success will be measured by tangible value.

Stronger, more active member collaboration: Working groups that produce practical insight. Webinars and programming that address real-time regulatory challenges. More structured opportunities for peer exchange that help regulators apply lessons learned in their own jurisdictions.

Expanded services supported by sustainable funding: Through a transparent, carefully governed sponsorship programme, IAGR will be able to enhance educational offerings, increase working group activity, and maintain a more consistent presence at major international industry events. The gaming industry is accustomed to funding the cost of its own regulation at the national level. Our sponsorship framework reflects that same principle internationally, with clear safeguards to protect IAGR’s independence and regulator-led identity. When structured appropriately, this enables us to expand services without compromising integrity.

Greater visibility and clearer communication: Success will mean that regulatory perspectives are well represented in global conversations. A stronger IAGR presence enhances collaboration, improves educational resources, and supports the effective delivery of key messages to industry, consumers, and the media.

Deeper international cooperation: Regulators will be better connected across borders and better equipped to address shared challenges such as illegal gambling, financial crime, integrity risks, and rapid technological change.

Ultimately, success will not be defined by growth alone. It will be defined by whether members view IAGR as an indispensable platform for trusted collaboration, informed dialogue, and practical support in an increasingly complex and connected regulatory environment.

Where can international cooperation make the greatest difference today?

International cooperation makes the greatest difference where risks transcend borders faster than regulation can adapt.

Illegal and unlicensed gambling is one clear example. Consumers can access offshore operators in seconds, often beyond the reach of domestic enforcement tools. No single regulator can address that challenge alone. Sharing intelligence, comparing enforcement strategies, and coordinating approaches can significantly strengthen outcomes.

Financial crime and money laundering present a similar cross-border challenge. Payments, digital identities, and service providers frequently operate across multiple jurisdictions. Cooperation improves visibility, strengthens supervision, and reduces regulatory blind spots.

Integrity risks, including match-fixing and betting manipulation, also require coordinated responses. The speed and scale of modern betting markets demand trusted networks where regulators can exchange information and best practices.

Rapid technological change is another area where cooperation is essential. Artificial intelligence, data-driven supervision, evolving platform models, and emerging products are developing globally. Regulators benefit from understanding how peers are addressing similar questions and from engaging credible subject-matter experts who can clarify technical and operational realities.

This is where IAGR can make a meaningful difference. By providing a structured, trusted environment for dialogue, we help regulators learn from one another and build more informed, resilient regulatory frameworks.

Ultimately, international cooperation makes the greatest difference when it is practical, informed, and ongoing. IAGR’s role is to ensure that regulators have the relationships, insight, and platform necessary to respond confidently in a connected world.

What are you most looking forward to in the role and what should members expect this year?

I am most looking forward to engaging directly with members and learning more about the realities they face in their respective jurisdictions. IAGR is at its best when it connects regulators who might not otherwise have the opportunity to exchange perspectives and lessons learned.

This year, members can expect a continued emphasis on practical, forward-looking programming aligned with real regulatory priorities. We will continue expanding opportunities for engagement between annual conferences, ensuring that IAGR remains active and relevant throughout the year.

A major milestone will be IAGR2026 in Lima, Peru, hosted in partnership with Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism. The conference theme, Steady hands, shifting ground: Advancing regulation in a connected world, reflects the environment regulators are navigating: rapid change, emerging risks, and the need for steady, strategic leadership.

The conference will provide an important forum for dialogue on shared challenges, particularly as markets across Latin America continue to expand in both scale and complexity. I look forward to meeting many members there in person and strengthening the relationships that underpin effective international cooperation.

What should members know about you personally?

Outside of my professional work, family has always been central to my life. My wife, Jerri, and I have known each other since high school, and she has always worked alongside me. We both grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, and we are grateful to continue calling it home.  We are active in the community and value its rich heritage, vibrant arts, sports, and culinary offerings, as well as its enduring sense of civic pride.

We have five children and eight grandchildren, which provides both perspective and balance. Public service and regulatory work can be demanding, and family keeps that work grounded in what ultimately matters.

We enjoy travelling and learning about different jurisdictions and cultures. One of the aspects of this role I value most is the opportunity to meet members where they are, understand their local environments, and strengthen relationships in person. International cooperation is ultimately built on trust, and trust is built through relationships.

 Stay connected

•  Read Kevin Mullally’s full biography
• Explore the IAGR2026 conference page