A belated Happy New Year to you all. I hope you’re all refreshed and ready for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead this year.

As 2019 is just getting started, we thought this was a fitting opportunity to launch our refreshed IAGR eNews. We’ll be publishing enews bi-monthly from now on and we’ve added some great new content like our member profile, research spotlight and legal update.

Moving to an online format means our eNews can now be viewed in over 100 different languages using Google Translate.

Gaming regulation sure is an interesting space…

Since stepping into the role as IAGR’s President in September last year, I’ve watched with great interest some of the regulatory developments we’ve seen around the world recently.

The Swedish Gambling Authority’s self-exclusion process, launched alongside its online licence, is definitely a space to watch. I’m keen to see how the newly created industry evolves with a very strong focus on responsible gambling.

Across the Atlantic, there’s plenty going on in the US in response to the Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling that puts sports betting regulation in the hands of individual states.

Heading east, the Cambodian Government looks set to reform its gambling legislation after approving 52 new casino licences in 2018.

As part of our new-look eNews, we’ll be deep-diving into interesting regulatory developments to give our members valuable insights into the global landscape we navigate through as gaming regulators.

Have a read of our interview with Ben Haden, Programme Director at the UK Gambling Commission, about the regulator’s new strategy to reduce gambling harm, to be launched in March.

So… what does 2019 have in store for IAGR?

Mapping out our future

In the first half of the year, we’ll be progressing our strategic plan, which will firmly establish IAGR’s role as the peak body for gaming regulators internationally. We’ll be focused on creating additional value for member jurisdictions and covering everything from our external brand to ensuring we are offering the best mix of services aligned with a fit–for-purpose revenue model.

We definitely want our members to contribute to our future in the coming months. When we further advance the strategic planning process we’ll be in touch with information about how members can have their say.

Our strategy was a key focus at our recent Board meeting in London.

Improving how we communicate with members

As a membership organisation, how we communicate needs to continually evolve. As part of our strategic planning process, we’ll be putting our communications under the microscope to see where we can improve.

We’ll be sending you all a communications survey over the next couple of months. If you could spare the time to complete this short questionnaire, we’ll use your feedback to inform development of our communications strategy.

In the meantime, if you have any comments email media@iagr.org.

We’d also like to engage with your communications teams so we can collaborate on announcements, stories and content moving forward. Please nominate a communications contact and email their contact details to media@iagr.org.

Regulating the game @ #IAGR2019

As announced late last year, #IAGR2019 – our annual conference – will be held in Montego Bay, Jamaica from 30 September to 3 October. We’re really excited about this event, considering there’s so much going on happening with gaming regulation globally.

Titled Regulating the game, the conference will focus on how we can foster a secure, vibrant, innovative, safe and responsible industry.

Our Conference Sub-Committee, led by our Vice President, Paul Newson from Liquor, Gaming & Racing (NSW, Australia), is working on the four day program, in conjunction with the Casino Gaming Commission and the Betting Gaming & Lotteries Commission, Jamaica. The Sub-Committee issued a call for speakers to all members and industry in late 2018.

We’ve received about 40 speaker submissions and expressions of interest for the event and we look forward to planning an insightful program for members and industry.

Farewell and thanks to our dedicated communications consultant

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I’d like to acknowledge the contribution of Cyrrhian Goldstein, who has been responsible for IAGR’s communications since 2017.

Cyrrhian helped put IAGR on the map and grow our profile as a key international regulatory association, setting up our website and regular communications to members. She also played an invaluable role in promoting our annual conferences to our membership and wider gaming community.

We wish Cyrrhian the best of luck in the future.

I look forward to talking with you in March.

Trude Høgseth Felde

IAGR President