Regulator of the Year
Yuri Guerra Padilla
These awards, which continue the IMGL mission of “Advancing Gaming Law through Education”, are given annually to the Regulators whom we consider have been preeminent in the regulatory field and whose overall body of work as a regulator has made noteworthy contributions to the regulation of the industry so as to add to the stable regulatory environment in their jurisdiction. The recipient of IMGL’s award is identified as a person of the highest integrity who has demonstrated outstanding service to the gaming community.
IMGL 2025 Regulator of the Year: Yuri Guerra Padilla
Yuri Guerra Padilla was recognized as Regulator of the Year for his exceptional leadership in gaming regulation in Peru, one of Latin America’s largest and most populous countries. With over 24 years of uninterrupted experience in gaming regulation, he has transformed the DGJCMT into a model authority recognized nationally and internationally.
Under his leadership, Peru has successfully implemented remote gaming and sports betting regulations, granting thousands of licenses to operators, platforms, and service providers, while maintaining a secure and stable regulatory environment. His innovative initiatives, such as real-time interconnection of all slot machines with the Tax Authority, have strengthened compliance and reduced illegal gambling.
Despite limited staff, Mr. Guerra has overseen efficient and rapid regulatory processes, simplified licensing procedures, and consolidated the casino and slot machine sector. He fosters collaboration with operators, demystifies industry prejudices, and promotes positive perceptions of gaming among authorities, banks, and the public. His work has earned recognition across Latin America, including at the IX Ibero-American Summit of Gaming Regulators.
In sum, his technical expertise, strategic vision, and commitment to transparent, effective regulation set a benchmark for emerging and established gaming jurisdictions.
2023
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2023
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Latin America
Martín García Santillán
President of Loteria de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires
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2023
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Australasia
Phil Crawford
Chair of NSW Independent Casino Commission
2018
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2018
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Australasia
Michael Sarquis
Executive Director, Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, Department of Justice and Attorney General, Australia
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2018
Outstanding Achievement Award
Americas
AG Burnett
Partner, McDonald Carano
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2018
Regulator of the Year
Americas
Sara Tait
Partner, Duane Morris LLP
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2018
Regulator of the Year
Indian Country
Gordon Dickie
Executive Director of the Seminole Tribal Gaming Commission, Seminole
-
2018
Regulator of the Year
Europe
Juan Espinosa Garcia
Director General de Ordenación del Juego, Spain
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2018
Outstanding Achievement Award
Europe
Joseph Cuschieri
Executive Chairman, Malta Gaming Authority
2017
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2017
Gaming Regulator of the Year
North America
Ronnie Jones
Regulatory Consultant,
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2017
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Indian Country
Dave Vialpando
Iipay Nation
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2017
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Indian Country
Terry Hale
Seminole
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2017
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Europe
Birgitte Sand
founder and CEO, birgitte sand & associates aps
2016
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2016
Gaming Regulator of the Year
North America
Alan Godfrey
Executive Director, Mississippi Gaming Commission
2015
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2015
Gaming Regulator of the Year
North America
Mark Ostrowski
Administrator/Executive Director, Illinois Gaming Board
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2015
Gaming Regulator of the Year
South and Central America
Manuel San Roman Benavente
General Director of Casino Games and Slot Machines, Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of the Republic of Peru
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2015
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Europe
Jenny Williams
Commissioner and Chief Executive, Gambling Commission, Great Britain
2014
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2014
Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
Peter Bernhard
Former Chairman, Nevada Gaming Control Commission
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2014
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Americas
Stephen Martino
Director, Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency
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2014
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Europe
Carlos Hernandez
General Director of the DGOJ, Ministry of Finance and Public Administrations, Spain
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2014
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Indian Country
Thomas Russell
Commissioner, Pokagon Band Gaming Commission
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2014
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Asia / Australasia
Malcolm Richardson
Director of Compliance and Investigations, Department of Business, Northern Territory Australia
2013
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2013
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Americas
David L. Rebuck
Executive Director, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
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2013
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Indian Country
John N. Roberts
Deputy Commissioner, San Manuel Gaming Commission
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2013
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Europe
No award was given
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2013
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Evolving Jurisdictions
Giselle Ivelin Brea Rodriguez
Executive Secretary, Gaming Control Board of Panama
2012
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2012
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Americas
Kevin O'Toole
Executive Director, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
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2012
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Indian Country
Jamie Hummingbird
Director, Cherokee Nation Gaming Commission
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2012
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Europe
Guido Schluetz
Senior Government Official, Gambling Regulation and Supervision, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
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2012
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Evolving Jurisdictions
Kaye McDonald
Director of Gaming, Financial Services Regulatory Commission of Antigua & Barbuda
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2012
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Americas
Mark Lipparelli
Chairman, Nevada State Gaming Control Board
2011
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2011
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Indian Country
Norman H. DesRosiers
Commissioner, San Manuel Tribal Gaming Commission
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2011
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Europe
Juan Carlos Alfonso Rubio
Deputy General Director, General Direction of Gambling, Spanish Ministry of Finance
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2011
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Evolving Jurisdictions
Manuel Joaquim das Neves
Director, Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau
2010
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2010
Gaming Regulator of the Yearx
Americas
Jack Ketterer
Administrator, Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission
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2010
Gaming Regulator of the Yearx
Indian Country
Brett Barnes
Gaming Commissioner, Eastern Shawnee Tribe Gaming Commission, Missouri
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2010
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Europe
Morten Ronde
Head Legal Advisor, Danish Gaming Board
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2010
Gaming Regulator of the Year
Evolving Jurisdictions
Francisco Javier Leiva
Superintendent, Superintendence of Casinos of Chile
2009
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2009
Randall E. Sayre
Member of the Board / Administrative Division, Nevada Gaming Control Board
2008
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2008
Francesco Rodano
Head of Remote Gaming, Amministrazione Autonoma Monopoli di Stato (AAMS)
2007
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2007
Dennis Neilander
Chairman, Nevada Gaming Control Board
2006
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2006
Peter Dean
Chairman, Gambling Commission, Great Britian
2005
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2005
Larry Gregory
Executive Director, Mississippi Gaming Commission
2004
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2004
Phil Hogen
Member - National Indian Gaming Commission
-
2004
Nelson Westrin
Member - National Indian Gaming Commission
-
2004
Cloyce Choney
Member - National Indian Gaming Commission
2003
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2003
Bobby Siller
Member, Nevada Gaming Control Board
2002
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2002
Harlan Goodson
Director of the Division of Gambling Control, Department of Justice, State of California Attorney General's Office