IMGL 2013 Autumn Conference

Conference Schedule

(as of 30 September 2013)

The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) annual conference is co-located with IMGL’s conference at the Grand Hotel, Oslo. The IAGR conference takes place earlier in the week than IMGL’s, but a few of their key events are listed here.
For the complete IAGR conference schedule, please visit their website: 
www.IAGR.org

Tuesday 1 October

19.00 – 23.00
IAGR / IMGL Joint Dinner at Holmekollen Park Hotel
 

Wednesday 2 October

09.00-14.00
IAGR Social Programme
Including Museums and lunch at the Ekeberg Restaurant

15.30 – 19.00
IMGL Registration Open
Sponsored by Hambach and Hambach

16.00 – 17.15
IMGL Business Meeting

17.30 – 19.30
IMGL Welcome Reception at the Grand Hotel
Sponsored by Betsson Group

19.00-23.00
IAGR Formal Gala Dinner at the Grand Hotel

IMGL Delegates - dinner on own at area restaurants
 

Thursday 3 October

08.00 – 17.00
IMGL Registration Open
Sponsored by Hambach and Hambach

08.00 – 09.30
Continental Breakfast
Sponsored by Novomatic

09.00 – 09.30
Welcome and Opening Keynote Address

Welcome: J. Kelly Duncan, President, IMGL and Partner, Jones Walker, Louisiana
Speakers:
Peet Meng Lau, Chief Executive, Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore (incoming)
    President, International Association of Gaming Regulators 
Richard Magnus, Chairman, Casino Regulatory Authority, Singapore 

09.30 – 10.30
Cross-Border Regulatory Reform
In the field of online gambling regulation, a jurisdiction is often recognized as the leader or the “first mover”. Frequently, this jurisdiction is a country in a federation (e.g. Europe) or a state in a country that has a federal system (e.g. United States, Canada or Australia). The purpose of this forum will be to discuss models that should be implemented in federal systems to ensure that a harmonious regulatory regime relating to online gambling develops, so that reciprocity of laws and standards take place across borders to other members in the federation. Case studies will be discussed to indicate those systems where cross-border recognition has been implemented. The forum will also discuss a model which recognized the principles of online gambling regulation and will seek to establish, a model code which sets out those principles of an online gambling regulatory regime which are easiest to implement to those which are more difficult.

Moderator: Jamie Nettleton, Partner, Addisons Lawyers, Australia
Speakers:
Olga Finkel, Managing Partner, WH Partners, Malta
Francesco Rodano, Head of Remote Gaming, Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli, Italy
Birgitte Sand, Director, Danish Gambling Authority, Denmark
Wai-Ming Yap, Director, Stamford Law Corporation, Singapore 

10.30 – 10.45
Networking Break
Sponsored by Asensi

10.45 – 12.00
Internet Gaming in Developing Markets
This session will consider whether, how and, if so, when, any kind of regulated internet gambling will be introduced into a number of jurisdictions where, hitherto, such gambling has either not been permitted at all or has not been properly regulated. The panel will address the approaches being taken by legislatures and regulatory authorities in a number of jurisdictions, many of which have sophisticated regimes for the regulation of terrestrial gambling but where the regulation of internet gambling is new. These jurisdictions will include a number of States in the US as well as jurisdictions in Europe, in Asia and in Latin America. There will be particular emphasis on the regulatory approaches to different forms of gambling, whether sports betting, gaming, lotteries, bingo etc., and on the potential for an operator’s fiscal and regulatory costs to be minimized. The session will consider whether the regulation of internet gambling in such developing markets is likely to benefit from lessons learned in other more established iGaming jurisdictions.

Moderator: Tony Coles, Consultant, Jeffrey Green Russell Limited, United Kingdom
Speakers:
Santiago Asensi, Partner, Asensi Abogados, Spain
Alexia Couccoullis, Partner, G. & A. Ladas Law Office, Cyprus & Law Offices Couccoullis & Associates, Greece
Frederic Engel, International Business Development, Dictao, France
Gowree Gokhale, Partner, Nishith Desai Associates, India
Alfredo Lazcano, Managing Partner and Director, Lazcano Sámano, S.C., Mexico
Mike Zatezalo, Partner, Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter, Ohio        

12.00 – 13.00
Mobile Gaming
Online players are more and more attracted by mobile gaming which raises a great number of issues in terms of legal compliance, data protection, security or even cybercrime. Therefore, such a conference could be quite controversial and raise pertinent questions as mobile gaming involves actors originating from extremely different business sectors, such as the online gambling sector, the banking sector and the telecommunication sector, which are all specifically regulated. As such, mobile gaming raises numerous legal issues, including the risk of overlap of regulation applicable to the key players of the mobile gaming market, or the risks related to the contracting chain of responsibilities, or cross-border issues.

Moderator: Diane Mullenex, Partner, Ichay & Mullenex Avocats, France
Speakers: Marc H. Ellinger, Partner, Blitz, Bardgett & Deutsch, L.C., Missouri
Jens Christian Gjesti, Senior Lawyer, Kvale Advokatfirma DA, Norway
Angelo Dalli, CEO, Bit8, Malta
Mark H. Ellinger, Partner, Blitz, Bardgett & Deutsch, L.C., Missouri

13.00 – 14.00
IMGL Awards Luncheon
Honoring IMGL Gaming Regulator of the Year – Evolving Jurisdictions
Giselle Brea, Executive Secretary, Gaming Control Board, Panama

Keynote Speaker: Rolf Sims, Senior Legal Advisor, Ministry of Culture, Norway

14.00 – 15.00
Sports Betting
Presently, two themes dominate the discussion surrounding sports betting:
1. The protection of the integrity of sports and an effective fight against match-fixing attempts. What can the industry do in order to effectively counter this problem? What kind of coordinated measures can be taken? Who is in the position to take responsibility to act on this?
2. The regulation of sports betting varies greatly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In some jurisdictions, the proportion of non-licensed gaming operators is significant. The question is what should be done to create an appropriate and competitive regulatory environment where reputable sports betting operators can successfully compete with non-licensed companies? The scope of restrictions of betting products and high taxes have, in this context, a central role. Follow as experienced representatives from the industry and the regulatory side, as well as experts in sports, offer their insights.

Moderator: Joerg Hofmann, Partner, Melchers Law Firm, Germany
Speakers:
Atle Hamar, Director, Norwegian Gaming and Foundation Authority, Norway
Michael Lipton, Q.C., Senior Partner, Dickinson Wright, LLP, Canada
Mike O’Kane, Chairman, European Sports Security Association, United Kingdom
Mary O’Loughlin, General Counsel, Paddy Power, Ireland 
Nick Tofiluk, Director of Regulatory Operations, Gambling Commission, United Kingdom 

15.00 – 16.00
Developments in Lotteries
The manner in which national and local lotteries are managed, regulated and played has changed significantly in recent times. In many jurisdictions across the world lawyers and industry experts have had to adopt their practices to cater for an ever changing market which has seen increasing privatisation of national and local lotteries as well as a surge in online gaming. This session will present an overview as to some of the recent changes in lotteries throughout the world and will investigate the impact of the privatisation of different national and local lotteries. The session will also seek to address the developing trends in remote gaming and the impact that this will have on the way in which lotteries are regulated and played in the future.

Moderator: Joe Kelly, Partner, A&L Goodbody, Ireland
Speakers:
Alan Littler, Gaming Lawyer, Kalff Katz & Franssen, The Netherlands
Keith C. Miller, Ellis & Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Law, Drake University Law School, Iowa
Nick Nocton, Director, Jeffrey Green Russell Limited, United Kingdom

16.00 – 16.15
Networking Break
Sponsored by GLI

16.15 – 17.45
Regulatory Reform & Implementation
As gaming has proliferated, so has the complexity and diversity of the regulatory constructs that govern the conduct of gaming businesses. Over the past year, industry participants have discussed a variety of regulatory "reforms" that might be considered to promote needed efficiencies for both the businesses and the jurisdictions that must oversee them. With the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) in conference with us, we have tapped a panel of industry and regulatory leaders to address some of the reform ideas and discuss the prospects for implementation.

Moderator: Donna More, Partner, Ungaretti & Harris, Illinois
Speakers:
Tiffany Conklin, Commissioner, California Gambling Control Commission, California
Susan Hensel, President, International Association of Gaming Regulators and Director of Licensing, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, Pennsylvania
Sean McGuinness, Partner, Lewis & Roca, LLP, Nevada
Jenny Williams, Commissioner & Chief Executive, Gambling Commission, United Kingdom
Andre Wilsenach, Executive Director, Alderney Gambling Control Commission, Alderney 

19.00 - 22.00
IMGL Reception / Dinner at Onda Sea
Sponsored by Lottomatica
 

Friday 4 October

08.00 – 16.00
Registration Open
Sponsored by Hambach and Hambach

08.00 – 09.30
Continental Breakfast
Sponsored by AGEM

08.30 – 09.00
Keynote Address

Speaker: Mitch Garber, CEO, Caesars Interactive Entertainment, Canada

09.00 – 10.00
EU Action Plan
On 23 October 2012, the European Commission adopted the Communication “Towards a comprehensive European framework on online gambling”.
Five action areas are prioritised to address the challenges faced at EU and national level:
1) Compliance of national regulatory frameworks with EU law; 2) Enhancing administrative cooperation and efficient enforcement; 3) Protecting consumers and citizens, minors and vulnerable groups; 4) Preventing fraud and money laundering;
5) Safeguarding the integrity of sports and preventing match-fixing

Moderator: Wulf Hambach, Partner, Hambach & Hambach, Germany
Speakers:
Friedrich Scheider, Professor, University of Linz, Department of Economics, Austria 
Kurt Schelter, Former State Minister of EU Affairs and Justice, Belgium

10.00 – 10.15
Networking Break
Sponsored by Avigilon

10.15 – 11.45
International Compacts: Panacea for Poker Liquidity?
After a year of stagnation on-line poker may be on the verge of the second 'boom' when US jurisdictions come online. Will US jurisdictions be allowed to share liquidity with European jurisdictions ('International Liquidity') or state-to-state within the US and what effect will this development have for the global poker market? The panel will explore different models of revenue sharing between different states and regulatory risks associated with cross-border poker networks. What can the US and European regulators learn from jurisdictions such as Canada where cross border compacts have been agreed and are already in operation.

Moderator: Andre Wilsenach, Executive Director, Alderney Gambling Control Commission, Alderney
Speakers:
Christine Duhaime, Partner, Duhaime Law, Canada
Dale J. Fuga, COO, Manitoba Gaming Control Commission
Mitch Garber, CEO, Caesars Interactive Entertainment, Canada
Honorable Jon Porter, CEO, Porter Gordon Silver Communications, Washington D.C. 
Guido Schluetz, Senior Government Official, Gambling Regulation and Supervision, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany 

11.45 – 13.00
Luncheon
Sponsored by Bit8

13.00 – 14.00
Binary Options: Gaming or Financial Services?
One of the fastest growing gaming-type activities in the internet is trading in binary options. The legal status of binary options is hotly debated, and the answer to the question “gaming or financial” has fundamental knock-on effects with regard to licensing, regulation, payment processing and even criminality for traders. Panel host R Paul Davis, General Counsel for The Counting House Group, will present a brief introduction to binary options and a review of current legislation and intercession activities. The panel will include Pini Peter, CEO of the world’s largest binary platform Spot Option, Steve Brennan, CEO of the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission, senior card scheme compliance and risk representatives, and a financial services expert from the USA. Expect fireworks as the most explosive topic in internet gaming is explored by those most involved. Warning! Some video content may shock the audience!

Moderator: R. Paul Davis, General Counsel, Counting House (IOM) Ltd., Isle of Man
Speakers:
Steve Brennan, CEO, Gambling Supervision Commission, Isle of Man
Pini Peter, CEO, Spotoption, Israel
Tal Itzhak Ron, Chairman, Tal Ron, Drihem & Co, Israel

14.00 – 15.00
The Trend to Liberalize Online Gaming Markets: Good Practices Regarding Responsible Gaming, Fair Gaming and Prevention of Crime
Many jurisdictions around the world are considering the liberalization of their online gaming markets. The Netherlands and Switzerland are just two examples where drafts for online gaming regulation are in the pipeline. What can jurisdictions, which are about to liberalize online gaming, learn from the expertise of established markets? What trends for good practices do we see? And do we need to consider national characteristics in implementing good practices? 

Moderator: Stefano Sbordoni, Partner & CEO, Studio Sbordoni, Italy
Speakers:
Justin Franssen, Head of Gaming, Sports & Entertainment Practice Group, Kalff Katz & Franssen, The Netherlands
John Hagan, Partner, Harris Hagan, United Kingdom 
Luka Mueller-Studer, Partner, MME Meyer Mueller Eckert Partners, Switzerland
Simon Planzer, Lecturer in Law, University of St. Gallen HSG, Switzerland

15.00 – 15.15
Networking Break
Sponsored by Penn National Gaming

15.15 – 16.30
What About Games, Gamers and the Golden Goose: Will Social Gaming Lay Golden Eggs or Become Dinner?
As social gaming continues its expansion across the globe, the question of regulation becomes dependent upon the market and its stakeholders, not just the regulators. This panel will start with an overview of the social gaming market and will proceed to evaluate virtual currency social gaming, spanning from who are the participating customers to which platforms will thrive in the future - Facebook, mobile, bitcoins, etc.. Regulatory formats will be analyzed as well as the pending threats/opportunities in mobile gaming and virtual currency. This panel with conclude the conference by bringing a varied set of expertise and very different views of the state of social gaming…fireworks may ensue. 

Moderator: Marc H. Ellinger, Partner, Blitz, Bardgett & Deutsch, L.C., Missouri
Speakers:
Nicholas Aquilina, Associate, Brandl & Talos, Austria
Melissa Blau, Director, iGaming Capital, United Kingdom
Steve Ketteley, Parter, DLA Piper, United Kingdom
Quirino Mancini, Head of Media, Sports & Gaming Practice, SCM Lawyers, Italy 

16.30 – 18.00
Closing Reception at the Grand Hotel Oslo
Sponsored by Jeffrey Green Russell