IMGL 2021 Spring Virtual Conference

March 8 - 12, 2021

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Overview

Missed our Autumn 2020 & Spring 2021 Virtual Conference? Click Here to view the recordings!

Sponsorships

Sponsorships are now available. For more details, contact brien@imgl.org

Gala Dinner Sponsor

OPAP
opap.com
OPAP is the leading gaming company in Greece and one of the most renowned in its industry worldwide. The company, founded in 1958 as the country’s national lottery and listed in the Athens Exchange in 2001, is the exclusive licensed operator of all numerical lotteries (7 games), sports betting (4 games) and horse racing. It also operates exclusively, as a controlling shareholder (83,5%) through a joint venture, the passive lotteries and instant (scratch) games in Greece. The company also operates in Cyprus, while it has expanded its operations via on-line offering.

Opening Reception Sponsor

Play’n GO
www.playngo.com
Founded in 2005 Play’n GO has grown into a global supplier of top-quality certified content to some of the industry’s largest operators.We ensure that our software is developed in accordance with the applicable and technical compliance requirements of our regulated markets, and we are fully compatible in a number of jurisdictions, including some of the most well-established markets across the world, and are currently licensed in over 15 regulated jurisdictions. Our industry knowledge and expertise have led us to become a respected global entity in the casino market.

Closing Reception Sponsor

Fox Rothschild
foxrothschild.com
Fox Rothschild LLP is a national law firm with nearly 800 attorneys practicing in 22 offices coast to coast. We’ve been serving clients for more than a century, and in 2017, we were recognized as the 80th largest law firm in the nation by The American Lawyer. Ranked by Chambers Global among the top gaming lawyers worldwide, Fox is home to one of the largest gaming law practices in the United States, complete with skilled attorneys who possess decades of experience helping clients domestically and internationally achieve success in this highly regulated industry.

Bronze Sponsor

Ainsworth Game Technology
agtslots.com
In 1995 Len Ainsworth founded Ainsworth Game Technology Limited with a commitment to become the leading manufacturer and supplier of gaming machines, software and related equipment developed. Ainsworth is part of the gaming industry focusing on the design development and manufacturing of gaming machines , software and related equipment supplies. Today Ainsworth is a premier manufacturer of global gaming products with over 200 years of gaming experience, Ainsworth Game Technology is commited to a culture of quality, innovation and excellence. Ainsworth distributes a range of gaming products, entertaining standalone progressives and linked games through its sales offices and distributors in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, USA and Europe.

Schedule

Conference Schedule (All times in EST)

Monday, March 8

12:00 pm – 12:10 pm
President Introduction
12:15 pm – 1:15 pm (Session 1 live)
Brick and Mortar Gaming in a Post-COVID World

This panel will explore the legal challenges and opportunities affected by COVID-19 (e.g., are there risks for increased taxes, reduced regulatory burden, economic stimulus to support gaming, continuing legal liability for COVID related outbreaks, etc…).

Moderator: Sean McGuinness, Attorney, Butler Snow, USA
Speakers:
Michael Lipton, Senior Partner, Dickinson Wright LLP, Canada
Andrew Cotton, Director of Betting and Gaming, Ince Gordon Dadds LLP, UK
Daron Dorsey, SVP, General Counsel & Group Compliance Officer, Ainsworth Game Technology, USA
Ellen Whittemore, Executive Vice President, Wynn Resorts, USA
1:20 pm – 2:20 pm (Session 2 live)
Sports Betting Updates

With states and provinces looking for revenue, sports betting seems to be an easy fix to some budget issues. This panel will look at the expansion of sports betting in the Americas, both online and retail, the jurisdictions that are likely to come online next and who has had success or glitches with quick efforts to go to market. The panel will also discuss the ramifications on the recent First Circuit Court of Appeals decision rejecting the 2019 DOJ opinion and the effect on same on sports wagering and online gaming.

Moderator: Marie Jones, Attorney, Fox Rothschild, USA
Speakers:
David Waddell, President, Regulatory Management Counselors, P.C., USA
Eric Frank, EDF Compliance, LLC, USA
R. Douglas Sherman, Chief Counsel, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, USA
Gina Smith, Deputy Director of Gaming Compliance, Virginia Lottery, USA
2:20 pm – 2:25 pm
President’s Closing Notes

Tuesday, March 9

12:00 pm – 12:05 pm
President Introduction
12:10 pm – 1:10 pm (Session 3 live)
Tribal Sports Betting and Compact Provisions

As more states legalize sports betting, more tribes are getting in on the game. As a Class III game under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, sports betting must be authorized by the tribal-state compact. This panel discusses how sports betting might be included in the types of games permitted by a compact and also addresses issues likely to arise in compact negotiations to include sports betting, including revenue sharing.

Moderator: Steve Light, Co-Director, Institute for the Study of Tribal Gaming Law & Policy, University of North Dakota, USA
Speakers:
Kathryn Rand, Professor, University of North Dakota School of Law, USA
Kevin Quigley, Indian Affairs & Gaming Business Counsel, Foley & Quigley PLC, USA
Niki Metzgar-Schall, Corporate Counsel, Sportradar, USA
Heidi McNeil Staudenmaier, Partner, Snell & Wilmer, USA

1:15 pm – 2:15 pm (Session 4 live)
Igaming/Lottery in North America

This panel will focus on how North American lotteries are developing digital offerings, with commentary from professionals involved in the earliest and the most recent states to offer digital lottery, as well as insights into the legal battle to challenge the U.S. Department of Justice’s now-overturned interpretation of the Wire Act.

Moderator: Robert Fontaine, Deputy General Counsel for Gaming, Virginia Lottery, USA
Speakers:
Rob Wesley, Director of Digital, Virginia Lottery, USA
Riva Richard, General Counsel, Pollard Banknote, Canada
Scott Bowen, Vice President of Government Relations, NeoPollard Interactive LLC, USA

2:15 pm – 2:20 pm
President’s Closing Notes

Wednesday, March 10

10:00 pm – 10:05 pm
President Introduction
10:10 pm – 11:10 pm (Session 5 live)
Australasia 2021: Way forward post COVID

COVID-19 has reshaped the global gaming industry like no other event in our lifetimes — but with vaccines now rolling out across the globe, eyes are turning to a post-COVID world. This panel of experts with deep domain knowledge of Australia, New Zealand, Japan and a host of Southeast Asian countries will discuss the effects of the pandemic on more than a half-dozen gaming jurisdictions across the continent — and what changes we may see in the landscape once the pandemic is finally behind us.

Moderator: Andrew W Scott, Vice Chairman and CEO, Inside Asian Gaming, Macau
Speakers:
Jamie Nettleton, Partner, Addisons, Australia
Kok Keng Lau, Head of Intellectual Property/Sports and Gaming, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, Singapore
Marie Antonette B Quiogue, Partner, Romulo Law Offices, Philippines
Hitoshi Ishihara, Partner, Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, Japan
11:15 pm – 12:15 am (Session 6 live)
Rise of E-sports in Australasia- Focus on the current state of the industry

This panel will focus on the state of the industry in the markets of Hong Kong, China, India, Australia.

Moderator: Alex Norman, Counsel, Bird & Bird, China
Speakers:
Ranjana Adhikari, Co-head of the Media Entertainment & Gaming Practice Groups, Nishith Desai Associates, India
Sean Zhang, CEO and Cofounder, Talon Esports, Hong Kong
Michael Patent, Founder, Culture Group, China
Joseph Wadakethalakal, Corporate Development, IR, and Strategic Partnerships, Mobile Premier League, Singapore
12:15 am – 12:20 am
President’s Closing Notes

Thursday, March 11

9:00 am – 9:05 am
President Introduction
9:10 am – 10:10 am (Session 7 live)
UK – Review of the Gambling Act 2005: A Sign of Things to Come for the Global Gaming Industry?

In December, the British Government announced an in-depth review of the jurisdiction’s gambling laws. As one of the world’s most mature regulatory regimes considers how to update its laws for the smartphone era, one can’t help but see this as a blueprint for similar re-evaluations around the world. This panel will consider the main issues being considered by the Review and will seek to identify the threats and opportunities it presents.

Moderator: Stephen Ketteley, Partner, Wiggin LLP, UK
Speakers:
Tamsin Blow, Partner, CMS Law, UK
John Hagan, Managing Partner, Harris Hagan, UK
Ian Ince, Head of Regulation and Compliance, Playtech, UK
Simon Bernholt, Chief Regulatory & Legal Officer, Flutter UK & Ireland
10:15 am – 11:15 am (Session 8 live)
Mergers/acquisitions and the Competition Angle

The mobile gaming market continues to consolidate as companies needs to sufficient economies to develop internationally in an increased regulatory environment. The impact of the COVID created both threats and opportunities and we can see new trends emerging both on the corporate side but also on the financing aspects. Private equity is now less wary of investment as more traditional financiers but one’s could question how the dynamics of the industry could be affected by such a shift.

The panel will discuss those aspects with representatives of the industry but all with consultants and financiers.

Moderator: Diane Mullenex, Partner, Pinsent Masons, UK
Speakers:
Adam Rivers, Director, KPMG LLP, UK
Hussein Chahine, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Stratasphere, UK
David McLeish, Partner, Wiggin LLP, UK
11:15 am – 11:20 am
President’s Closing Notes

Friday, March 12

9:00 am – 9:05 am
President Introduction
9:10 am – 10:10 am (Session 9 live)
The Impact of the Ongoing Global Pandemic in Regard to the EU/UK Regulated Markets

The Covid-related events that have tragically affected the whole world over the past year (and counting) have inevitably had an impact also on the gaming industry with most retail outlets being shut off for months while on the flip side the online business was benefitting from the collateral effect of the vast majority of players working from home with more spare time and limited options to kill the long confinement days. The panel will discuss how the gaming industry is coping with the perfect storm brought by the viral challenge coupled with a growing and widespread regulatory trend that resulted in ever stricter marketing and advertising rules being enforced on the operators across all regulated markets.

Moderator: Quirino Mancini, Partner, Tonucci & Partners, Italy
Speakers:
Ekaterina Hartmann, Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, European Gaming and Betting Association, Belgium
James Scicluna, Co-Managing Partner, WH Partners, Malta
Marco Castaldo, CEO of Microgame SpA and Director of ASTRO for Online Gaming and Bettinga, Italy
Niki Stephens, Partner, Mishcon de Reya, UK

10:15 am – 11:15 am (Session 10 live)

Emerging Markets in the Netherlands, Germany and Others Gradually Legalizing Online Gambling

Germany and The Netherlands are one of the last but certainly not the least markets in the EU to introduce a long-awaited local licensing regime for remote gambling whilst 2021 also marks the year for other markets to gradually open up. Operators will need to obtain a local licence to continue with their operations on the respective markets after decades of legal and political challenges. Will there be a smooth transition? What are the main challenges of the licence application process in the respective jurisdictions? How will these markets evolve post-licensing in comparison to other markets? This panel will further explore the licensing opportunities & risks of these emerging markets.

Moderator: Frank Tolboom, Partner, Kalff Katz & Franssen, Netherlands
Speakers:
Justin Franssen, Partner, Kalff Katz & Franssen, Netherlands
Matthias Spitz, Senior Partner, MELCHERS Law Firm, Germany
Frieder Backu, Partner, Witzel Erb Backu & Partner Rechtsanwälte mbB, Germany
Peter-Paul de Goeij, Managing Director, NOGA, Netherlands
11:15 am – 11:25 am
President’s Closing Notes

Speakers

Brick and Mortar Gaming in a Post-COVID World

Moderator: Sean McGuinness, Attorney, Butler Snow, USA

Sean McGuinness practices in the firm’s Gaming Industry Team. His practice focuses primarily on commercial gaming and sports betting matters in Nevada, Colorado, Iowa and Mississippi, as well as tribal gaming matters. He also has experience with gaming bankruptcy matters. Sean also represents banking clients with respect to public financing transactions in the State of Nevada.

Sean has represented clients with licensing and regulatory matters before the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the Nevada Gaming Commission, the Colorado Division of Gaming, the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission, the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission, the Mississippi Gaming Commission and the National Indian Gaming Commission. He has also participated in gaming related matters in other jurisdictions such as California, Canada, Hungary, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Switzerland, Tinian and Washington. Sean has represented clients in gaming bankruptcy matters, including the Herbst Gaming, Station Casinos, Fitzgeralds Gaming Corporation, the Aladdin Hotel and Casino, and the Resort at Summerlin proceedings.

Prior to joining the firm, Sean practiced gaming law for 15 years at a law firm in their Reno, Las Vegas and Denver offices. Sean was Vice President and General Counsel for The Resort at Summerlin, which was owned by Swiss Casinos (1997-2001), and had a private gaming law practice in Mississippi (1994-1997) and served as Compliance Director for the Mississippi Gaming Commission (1992-1993). Sean got his start in the gaming industry as a law clerk for the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission.

Speakers:
Michael Lipton, Senior Partner, Dickinson Wright LLP, Canada

Michael Lipton is a Senior Partner at Dickinson Wright LLP and Head of the Canadian Gaming Law Group has served as senior counsel on gaming law matters for over 30 years. He regularly represents governments, casino operators, gaming equipment suppliers/manufacturers, payment processors among others and counsels licensees throughout North America on gaming compliance and governance issues. Michael is a founding member of the International Masters of Gaming Law and a past President. He was recognized by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Canada and by Chambers Global for his expertise in gaming law and regulatory matters from 2008 to 2021. He has authored numerous articles in gaming law publications, and spoken at many conferences throughout the world. Michael is a Senior Partner at Dickinson Wright LLP and Head of the Canadian Gaming Law Group. He has earned a global reputation as an outstanding gaming regulatory counsel.

Andrew Cotton, Director of Betting and Gaming, Ince Gordon Dadds LLP, UK

Andrew is an experienced and self-motivated solicitor with a sustained record of achievement in one of the UK’s leading gambling-based leisure operators, now providing remote and land-based gambling operators with licensing, on-going legal compliance and regulatory support services. Andrew has strong interpersonal, negotiating and analytical skills which have ensured positive results with an excellent track record of delivering competitive advantage in a highly regulated market. Andrew has successfully focused on establishing and implementing strategies to exploit existing and new markets delivering in excess of £60m in licence asset value. Andrew is also a specialist in alcohol, entertainment and gambling law with close working relationships with the Gambling Commission, local authorities and government.

Daron Dorsey, SVP, General Counsel & Group Compliance Officer, Ainsworth Game Technology, USA

Daron Dorsey is the Senior Vice President & General Counsel – Americas for Ainsworth Game Technology, a gaming equipment manufacturer, overseeing legal affairs for the Company’s Americas operation and managing the Group’s Compliance efforts across the globe. In addition to his role at Ainsworth, he also currently serves as an officer and General Counsel of the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) and is a member of the UNLV Foundation Board of Trustees at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), his alma mater. Before joining Ainsworth, Daron served as the General Counsel for William Hill US in Las Vegas, Nevada and oversaw legal affairs for the US subsidiary of William Hill, the publicly-traded sports betting and wagering company headquartered in the United Kingdom. Prior to those roles, Daron was an attorney in private practice with the law firms of Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. and Jolley Urga Wirth & Woodbury (now Jolley Urga Woodbury & Holthus) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ellen Whittemore, Executive Vice President, Wynn Resorts, USA

Ellen Whittemore is well known for her gaming law and regulatory practice, representing some of the world’s largest gaming companies before the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission in licensing, disciplinary, and gaming and entertainment tax matters. She also represents private equity companies investing in the gaming industry and represents many of the leading gaming technology firms engaged in interactive and social gaming. She has represented MGM Resorts International in all of its major Nevada acquisitions and developments, including the acquisition of Mandalay Resort Group and Mirage Resorts International, and the development of CityCenter. She recently served as gaming counsel to MGM Resorts in conjunction with its REIT creation. She continues to serve as lead Nevada gaming regulatory counsel for MGM Resorts and is involved in virtually every new initiative undertaken by that company, including mobile, skill-based and e-gaming. She is the primary author of that company’s compliance plan and continues to advise its compliance committee. With over 30 years’ experience she has been involved in a number of industry “firsts.” As a former supervising deputy attorney general representing the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission, she was lead counsel in the case that established that gaming devices could not display “near misses” to customers (leading them to believe that they were close to a win. She was also the lead author of the briefs defending the state’s decision to revoke the licenses of the Stardust owners, whose activities formed the basis for the movie “Casino”. She successfully represented MGM Resorts on the first and only hearing on the suitability of an association in a foreign jurisdiction (Macau). She also represented Dubai World, a government decree entity, the first governmental entity to receive gaming approvals in Nevada and represented Crown Resorts Limited, the first Australian casino company to be registered in Nevada. The primary author of Nevada Gaming Commission Regulation 14 (Manufacturers) she represented Bally Technologies in the first approval of a skill-based component in a gaming device (“Pong”).

Sports Betting Updates

Moderator: Marie Jones, Attorney, Fox Rothschild, USA

Ranked internationally in Chambers Global and named among the nation’s leading gaming attorneys by Chambers USA, Marie represents and counsels clients in all aspects of gaming law and regulation, licensing and compliance. She serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Gaming Practice Group.

Her clients represent all facets of the gaming industry:

casino licensees
private equity firms
gaming equipment manufacturers and suppliers
investment banks
restaurants
gaming and non-gaming related vendors that do business with casinos

Marie helps gaming industry clients and vendors work with domestic and foreign regulatory agencies – including the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board – to obtain and maintain licenses and earn regulatory approval to own, develop and operate bricks-and-mortar casinos and internet gaming operations.

She has extensive experience handling all aspects of licensing and regulatory approval, including:

regulatory submissions
matters before regulatory agencies
license applications
preparation of compliance policies
compliance investigations
regulatory investigations
licensure hearings.

Marie also has extensive experience in general corporate and transactional matters.

Speakers:
David Waddell, President, Regulatory Management Counselors, P.C., USA

Dave Waddell is an attorney and president of Regulatory Management Counselors, P.C. He has 26 years of experience helping clients resolve business issues in heavily regulated industries. His areas of practice include gaming law, Title 31 compliance, business, tax and municipal law. Mr. Waddell takes pride in forming partnerships with his clients to become sensitive to their needs, goals and future plans in order to help them succeed. Mr. Waddell is a co-author and creator of The Michigan Gaming Law Legal Resource Book, and chief editor of The Michigan Gaming Newsletter. From 1999-2008, he wrote extensively for The Detroit News in his Michigan Gaming News column. He also sits on the editorial board for the Gaming Law Review and Global Gaming Business and has been listed in Best Lawyers in America for gaming.

Eric Frank, EDF Compliance, LLC, USA

Eric Frank is an operational and strategic executive, global compliance officer, and head of regulatory affairs at one of the world’s largest international gaming companies.

Managing global compliance teams with responsibilities for 20+ licensed gaming markets worldwide and acting as the principal legal advisor for regulatory, licensing and compliance matters in the United States, Latin American and Asia, he has extensive experience navigating complex compliance and regulatory matters throughout the world, including gaming, anti-bribery, sanctions and other related corporate matters.

He also serves as the executive liaison to my company’s independent Compliance Committee responsible for ensuring the company’s good character, honesty and integrity with regard to all commercial transactions, gaming licenses and corporate integrity matters.

R. Douglas Sherman, Chief Counsel, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, USA

Mr. Sherman has served in the role of Chief Counsel to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board since May 2008. As Chief Counsel, he counsels the Board, the Executive Director and various administrative bureaus and units of the agency, represents the agency in various hearings and seminars relating to gaming issues and oversees a staff of attorneys in the provision of all legal advice and services to the agency. He previously served as the Deputy Chief Counsel for Litigation for the Board from April 2006 until assuming the Chief Counsel duties. He oversees the promulgation of regulations, policies and procedures for the Board, established the Board’s hearing procedures for the issuance of slot machine licenses in Pennsylvania as well as for post-licensing proceedings, and oversees litigation involving the Board, including appeals of the Board’s licensing decisions. More recently, he has led efforts to implement expanded gambling in Pennsylvania including I-Gaming, sports wagering, fantasy contests and VGT gaming. Prior to his position with the Gaming Control Board, Mr. Sherman held various positions with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Civil Litigation Section over nearly a twenty year period, representing Commonwealth interests in State and Federal courts as well as in administrative proceedings. Mr. Sherman is a 1987 graduate of the Dickinson School of Law.

Gina Smith, Deputy Director of Gaming Compliance, Virginia Lottery, USA

Smith served two decades as Deputy Director and Chief Financial Officer of the MLGCA. She twice served as Interim Director in Maryland, including the period when the Maryland Lottery added casino gaming to its regulatory portfolio. She recently retired as Deputy Legislative Auditor in Maryland’s Office of Legislative Audits. Smith is a certified public accountant and a graduate of the University of Baltimore.

Tribal Sports Betting and Compact Provisions

Moderator: Steve Light, Co-Director, Institute for the Study of Tribal Gaming Law & Policy, University of North Dakota, USA

Steve Light is Professor of Political Science & Public Administration at the University of North Dakota, where he teaches American government, executive leadership strategy, public human resource management, American Indian politics & public affairs, and the senior capstone. Steve’s extensive higher-education leadership portfolio includes serving as interim Dean of Business & Public Administration (2017-18) and Nursing & Professional Disciplines (2013-14), Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs (2011-17), and Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education (2010-11). In these varied roles, Steve led, oversaw, or coordinated myriad strategic initiatives to advance UND’s educational, research, and outreach mission, including institutional strategic planning and reaccreditation; curriculum development and academic program review; faculty promotion, tenure, and evaluation; faculty appointments and personnel management; strategic enrollment management and retention; leadership development; budget implementation; institutional advancement and capital project design; and creating a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive university community.

Steve co-directs the Institute for the Study of Tribal Gaming Law & Policy, and is widely regarded as a leading expert on tribal gaming enterprises and economic development. Steve’s roughly 60 publications include three books with Kathryn Rand (Professor and former Dean, UND School of Law), including Indian Gaming and Tribal Sovereignty, featured on C-SPAN’s Book TV, and a solo book on voting rights.

Steve also teaches, researches, and presents on the jouney from faculty to administration; higher education trends; authentic, purposeful, and people-forward leadership strategy; goal-setting and strategic planning; and facilitating diverse perspectives. Steve received UND’s highest annual award for faculty excellence, and was nominated for CASE/Carnegie U.S. Professor of the Year. An award-winning teacher, Steve enjoys inspiring students online and in the classroom with proven dynamic high-impact practices.

Speakers:
Kathryn Rand, Professor, University of North Dakota School of Law, USA

Kathryn R.L. Rand (J.D. University of Michigan, B.A. University of North Dakota) is Floyd B. Sperry Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Institute for the Study of Tribal Gaming Law and Policy at the University of North Dakota. She served as Dean of the UND School of Law from 2009 to 2018, the first woman to hold the position. Rand is widely recognized as among the nation’s leading experts on Indian gaming, federal Indian law, and tribal-state-federal intergovernmental relations. She has published more than 50 articles and co-authored three books on tribal gaming, including Indian Gaming Law: Cases and Materials (2008, 2d ed. 2019), Indian Gaming Law and Policy (2006, 2d ed. 2014), and Indian Gaming and Tribal Sovereignty: The Casino Compromise (2005). She has twice testified on Indian gaming regulation and oversight before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., as well as before the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. Her first book was featured on C-SPAN’s Book TV. She is a frequent commentator in the national media, including the New York Times and the Boston Globe, and has delivered invited lectures at Boston College, the University of Manitoba, the University of Helsinki, the University of Macau, and numerous law schools. Rand also has presented and published on academic leadership and diversity and inclusion in legal education. She is an elected member of the American Law Institute and was awarded UND’s highest award for faculty excellence in teaching, research, and service.

Kevin Quigley, Indian Affairs & Gaming Business Counsel, Foley & Quigley PLC, USA

Kevin Quigley has a national practice concentrating on advising clients with gaming law transactions & compliance matters, as well as Indian country business & regulatory issues.

Kevin’s gaming law practice focuses on serving as gaming business counsel to a number of industry-leading and start-up casino management and development companies, gaming equipment vendors, financial institutions, state and tribal governments and their agencies in connection with matters related to federal, state and tribal gaming regulatory compliance, financing, taxation, jurisdiction, Indian lands and i-gaming issues. Kevin also advises gaming system operators, software developers and suppliers in connection with emerging i-gaming compliance issues, including online fantasy/e-sports leagues; and consults with tribes and a wide variety of gaming equipment vendors and software developers desiring to explore the new i-gaming frontier by advising on issues related to game classifications and “technological aid” determinations under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, 25 U.S.C. §§2701 et seq., and regulations contained in 25 CFR Parts 501-599, and other gaming law restrictions under other applicable federal, state and tribal laws.

For over two decades Kevin has been at the forefront in helping tribes transform the Indian country marketplace and diversify their tribal economies by partnering with private sector companies in forming new enterprises that meet the need of the exploding market for goods and services in Indian country today. His industry leading experience extends beyond a traditional Indian law practice, with a business development focus that includes advising tribal clients, utilities and power line companies, financial institutions and lenders, and companies with transactions in Indian country in matters concerning BIA realty and Indian land issues, civil & regulatory jurisdiction issues, tribal financing deals such as bank loans and bond offerings, tribal governance & constitutional reform, Indian gaming, environmental regulations and NEPA compliance, utilities/power line rights-of-way and tribal employment rights ordinances, state & tribal taxation disputes and litigation, sovereign immunity waivers and business transactions, economic development initiatives, and contract/business disputes and litigation.

Niki Metzgar-Schall, Corporate Counsel, Sportradar, USA

Nicole serves as Corporate Counsel for Sportradar US based in New York, where she works closely with the business units on both gaming and media law matters in the global sports industry. Sportradar is a global leader in sports data and technology and has partnered with leagues such as NBA, NFL, NHL and NASCAR in the collection and distribution of sports data in the United States and around the world.

In Nicole’s work for Sportradar, she advises the company and clients on a broad range of issues, particularly in the areas of gaming and media law as they relate to the sports betting industry. After the fall of the Professional and Amateur Sports Professionalism Act, she has assisted the company in navigating the myriad of commercial, corporate, and regulatory issues concerning domestic and foreign data and service suppliers, operators, and platforms in the United States’ sports betting market.

Nicole is an active member of the New York State Bar. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Ohio State University and a juris doctorate from Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.

Heidi McNeil Staudenmaier, Partner, Snell & Wilmer, USA

Heidi McNeil Staudenmaier is the partner coordinator of Native American Law & Gaming Law Serivces for Snell & Wilmer, L.L.P., where she is based in the firm’s Phoenix, Arizona office. She was named to “Top Ten Great Women of Gaming for 2006” and is listed in “Best Lawyers in America” for both Native American Law and Gaming Law. She also was named “Phoenix BEST LAWYERS Gaming Lawyers of the Year” for 2011 and 2016, Chambers USA: AMERICA’S LEADING LAWYERS FOR BUSINESS, Chambers Global: THE WORLD’S LEADING LAWYERS FOR BUSINESS, Southwest Super Lawyers, and Arizona Business Names Most Influential Women of 2016. Heidi is a Founding Member and Past President of the International Masters of Gaming Law. She also is a member of the International Association of Gaming Advisors. She serves as Executive Editor of the “Gaming Law Review”. Heidi is former Chair of the State Bar of Arizona Indian Law Section and Past President of the Maricopa County Bar Association. Staudenmaier is a past member of the Executive Council for the American Bar Association Section of Business Law, Past Editor in Chief of “Business Law Today”, Chair Elect of the Business & Corporate Litigation Committee, Chair of Programs for the Gaming Law Committee, and a former Section Fellow. She is a past Officer of the ABA Young Lawyer’s Division and served in the ABA House of Delegates. Heidi is a 1985 graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law and serves on the Iowa College of Law Foundation Board of Directors. She is a frequent writer and speaker on Federal Indian law and gaming issues.

Igaming/Lottery in North America

Moderator: Robert Fontaine, Deputy General Counsel for Gaming, Virginia Lottery, USA

Fontaine recently retired as Assistant Attorney General and Principal Counsel for the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, a position he held since 2008. Fontaine oversees the application of the Virginia Lottery’s regulations for casino operators and sports betting licensees. He began work June 1. Bob Fontaine is nationally recognized for his extensive legal experience around gaming issue.

Speakers:
Rob Wesley, Director of Digital, Virginia Lottery, USA

With over 20 years of lottery experience, Rob Wesley has served as director of digital for the past three years, helping to take the Virginia Lottery online in July.

Unbelievably, Wesley pushed through the successful launch of the iLottery programme in just three months, with per capita revenues exceeding other US iLottery launches by 140 per cent. With more and more players going online as a result of the ongoing Covid pandemic, the timing could not have been better.

In the first quarter since launch, iLottery sales surpassed $120m, exceeding the lottery’s projections for the entire first year by 56 per cent. Wesley’s strategic vision has led to this unparalleled success and that is why he is a Hot 50 winner.

Riva Richard, General Counsel, Pollard Banknote, Canada

A highly distinguished lawyer in corporate law, Riva serves as the chief legal strategist for Pollard Banknote. She has played a significant role in the growth of the company and has been instrumental in its strategic corporate acquisitions and partnerships. Her commitment to growing Pollard Banknote’s industry leadership is also demonstrated by the company’s successful expansion into the iLottery market, where she helped establish the benchmark for regulatory compliance and operational success in the U.S.

Prior to joining Pollard Banknote, Riva worked at CanWest Global Communications with executive responsibility of the company’s legal affairs. She also worked for the law firm McCarthy Tétrault LLP.

Riva received her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Civil Law degrees from McGill University in Montréal, Québec and an undergraduate business degree from the University of Western Ontario. She was named one of Canada’s “Top 40 Corporate Counsel: 40 and Under 40” by Lexpert® Magazine in 2005 in recognition of her legal talent and impressive career.

Scott Bowen, Vice President of Government Relations, NeoPollard Interactive LLC, USA

Mr. Bowen joined NeoPollard Interactive after serving nine years as Commissioner of the Michigan Lottery, where he oversaw the development and implementation of several innovative initiatives, including the launch of online games in 2014. Under Scott Bowen’s leadership, the Lottery’s launch of online games has been the most successful in North America. Since the launch, more than 500,000 Michigan players have registered to play online, and online games are expected to generate an additional $480 million for the state’s School Aid Fund over the first eight years of operation. In addition to launching the most successful online lottery sales platform, he also guided the Michigan Lottery to similar success with traditional retail sales. Since 2014, retail lottery sales in Michigan have increased by approximately 18%.

Australasia 2021: Way forward post COVID

Moderator: Andrew W Scott, Vice Chairman and CEO, Inside Asian Gaming, Macau

Born in Australia, Andrew is a gaming industry expert and media publisher, commentator and journalist who moved to Hong Kong in 2005 and then Macau in 2009, when he founded O MEDIA, one of Macau’s largest media companies and parent company of Inside Asian Gaming.

Speakers:
Jamie Nettleton, Partner, Addisons, Australia

Jamie Nettleton, former President of IMGL, and Partner, Addisons, advises extensively on all aspects of Australian and international gambling regulatory issues. He acts for gambling industry organisations, gaming machine suppliers, testing agencies, bookmakers, poker industry participants (e.g. operators and tournament organisers), lottery providers, as well as commercial organisations conducting promotional campaigns. Many of the international organisations that he has advised have subsequently established successful businesses in Australia. Mr. Nettleton first became involved in the gambling area over 20 years ago in connection with the establishment of Sydney’s casino and advising on the then new internet gaming sector. Since that time, he has given presentations on gambling issues throughout the world and has advised on, and been involved actively in, most material recent Australian gambling industry developments.

Kok Keng Lau, Head of Intellectual Property/Sports and Gaming, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, Singapore

Kok Keng has been in practice in Singapore since 1990. He currently leads Rajah & Tann LLP’s Gaming practice. His team handles advisory, regulatory, transactional and disputes work relating to gambling and the industry. Kok Keng is recognised as a leading lawyer in his fields by following publications such as Asian Legal Business’s Legal Who’s Who, Asia Pacific Legal 500, AsiaLaw Profiles, PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook Singapore and Who’s Who Legal Singapore. Kok Keng has also been consistently named in The International Who’s Who of Internet, e-Commerce & Data Protection Lawyers, The International Who’s Who of Sports & Entertainment Lawyers, The International Who’s Who of Information Technology Lawyers and the Asia Pacific Legal 500, placing him amongst the world’s pre-eminent lawyers in these respective fields. Since 2001, Kok Keng has been actively involved in representing and advising clients in the gambling industry.

He has advised on the legal and regulatory aspects of product conception, product development, devising of game rules, setting up of betting accounts and e-payment procedures, product launch, product distribution (including regulatory restrictions on retail outlet operations), prize claims and disputes over prize entitlements. He has also rendered legal support work such as the vetting of IT contracts, distributorship and supplier contracts, intellectual property issues, online banking issues, tax issues, consultancy contracts, sponsorship contracts and dispute resolution. In addition, Kok Keng works with foreign and offshore private gaming operators, including a UK based casino, a cruise ship casino and international gaming operators who offer online casinos, lotteries and sports betting products.

Marie Antonette B Quiogue, Partner, Romulo Law Offices, Philippines

Marie Antonette B. Quiogue, a partner, is a member of the Technology, Media, and Telecom department. Her practice focuses on technology, media and telecommunications.

Tonet advises domestic and international clients operating in both mature and emerging technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sectors. These clients include software firms; online retailers; digital media platforms; gaming companies; publishers and advertisers; and broadcast, mobile, satellite, cable, and integrated network operators. She has also represented financial institutions, including hedge funds, private equity firms, investment banks and project sponsors that are actively investing in, acquiring, or divesting communications, media and technology assets.

Tonet’s work focuses on transactional, regulatory, and licensing issues, and other legal matters caused by convergence in the TMT industry, helping clients accomplish their business objectives while complying with applicable laws and industry standards. Her practice extends to broad corporate law practice, including general regulatory advice, assistance with clients’ inquiries, and the drafting and review of legal documents.

Tonet received her bachelor’s degree in Communications, major in Media Production from Assumption College in 2002 and her juris doctor degree from the FEU-DLSU JD-MBA dual degree program, earning degrees in both MBA and Law. She graduated valedictorian of her JD class, earning the gold medal award for academic excellence. During her senior year in law school, she was the first Filipino to receive a scholarship from the Gothenburg University under the Gothenburg School of Economics and Commercial Law (Handelshögsklöan vid Gotebörgs Universitet) where she took combined business and law courses and earned the highest ECTS grades. She joined the firm in 2009 and was admitted to the Philippine bar in 2010.

Hitoshi Ishihara, Partner, Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, Japan

Hitoshi Ishihara provides a variety of legal services to various international and foreign-affiliated clients establishing and doing business in Japan, with an exceptional focus on cross-border business negotiation, dispute resolution, M&A, international trade, and corporate/commercial matters (including advice concerning corporate governance, compliance, JV management, and internal investigations). His distinctive English skill, backed by over seven years experience in the United States, enables him to effectively bridge the linguistic and cultural gap faced by his clients.

Mr. Ishihara also provides pertinent and timely advice that matches the needs of clients expanding overseas, utilizing his rich experience in negotiating and coordinating with clients and counterparts not only from the United States and EU countries, but also in various other jurisdictions with an exceptional focus on Myanmar, as he serves as the Co-Chair of the firm’s Myanmar Desk.

In the intellectual property field, Mr. Ishihara has extensive experience in IP licensing and transactions and also provides advice on regulatory issues. In the antitrust field, Mr. Ishihara has been involved in various international cartel cases in which he dealt with foreign antitrust agencies by cooperating with co-counsels in those jurisdictions.

Mr. Ishihara also has extensive focus and knowledge concerning the Japanese casino and gaming laws including the Japanese Integrated Resort (IR) Act, providing advice concerning the Japanese IR Act and gaming regulations to various casino operators, equipment manufacturers, foreign law firms, and state agencies. Mr. Ishihara is the only Japanese attorney-at-law who is admitted as a member of the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL), which is a non-profit association of gaming attorneys, regulators, educators, executives and consultants from around the world who are dedicated to education and the exchange of professional information and advice.

Mr. Ishihara is quoted by Who’s Who Legal as “Hitoshi Ishihara boasts vast experience in the TMT sector and is a well-known figure in the gaming market” and has been named “Gaming Lawyer of the Year in Japan” by various publications, such as Acquisition International Magazine, Corporate Intl Magazine, and Global Law Experts Magazine.

Rise of E-sports in Australasia- Focus on the current state of the industry

This panel will focus on the state of the industry in the markets of Hong Kong, China, India, Australia.

Moderator: Alex Norman, Counsel, Bird & Bird, China

I am an experienced and commercially minded adviser who specialises in helping clients in the sports, media and technology sectors achieve their commercial objectives.

I have been working with clients in these sectors for a number of years in Europe and in Asia and I take pride in providing practical advice, grounded in a deep understanding of the business and the relevant industry. My deep industry knowledge means that clients benefit from strategic business advice in addition to effective and informed legal know-how.

My practice encompasses all aspects of corporate and commercial work and having a broad practice means I can help my clients achieve their goals in a variety of ways.

On the commercial front I work primarily on high value and complex transactions and agreements, including media and data rights, sponsorship, licensing and content deals for clients in the sports, gaming, esports, betting and media sectors. Regulatory issues, particularly around gambling, advertising and broadcasting, are also key for my clients, and I pride myself on delivering informed and practical advice.

On the corporate side I regularly advise on investments and joint ventures, as well as mergers, acquisitions, divestments, restructurings, corporate governance and corporate set-up. As part of our venture capital group, I specialise in helping early stage companies drive their businesses forwards through early investment rounds, and I have helped dozens of early stage companies raise capital and put in place the foundations for their companies to grow.

Since 2016 I have been leading the growth of Bird & Bird’s sports, media and gaming practice across Asia Pacific and am proud to have built a strong client base comprising some of the biggest and most innovative companies in the business.

I have also been fortunate enough to have gained extensive first-hand experience of the day-to-day challenges my clients face, having spent time on in-house secondments at an international sports agency, the Rugby Football Union in England and at Citi in its investment banking team.

Speakers:
Ranjana Adhikari, Co-head of the Media Entertainment & Gaming Practice Groups, Nishith Desai Associates, India

Ms. Adhikari co-heads the Media Entertainment & Gaming practice groups at Nishith Desai Associates in Mumbai.

While she has been engaged in the advisement and representation of clients across various industries and sectors, her niche focus has been advising gaming clients including a number of top European and domestic poker and sports betting businesses. She has experience particularly on the structuring and documentation for cross-border joint ventures and technology collaborations, international commercial contracts, licensing agreements and intellectual property issues.

Recently, the leading directory, Chambers & Partners has also ranked her as a leading gaming attorney in the Asia Pacific region. She has been listed as the Recommended Attorney for Gaming Laws in India by Global Law Experts since 2015 and won the “Excellence in Gaming Law – India” awards at both the 2015 and 2016 Corporate Live Wire Legal Awards. She has also been inducted as a member of the International Masters of Gaming Law and actively advises industry bodies such as All India Gaming Federation on their endeavors for the industry.

She is a regular speaker at a number of seminars and conferences, both within India and abroad and is also the recipient of the Microsoft Scholarship for Intellectual Property Rights in 2008.

Sean Zhang, CEO and Cofounder, Talon Esports, Hong Kong

Former Head of Advisory at Kenetic Capital. Investment, research professional who has worked as an equity analysts at major banks and brokerage firms such as Barclays and CLSA. Former computer programmer who always had a passion for anything technology, gaming or sports related.

Michael Patent, Founder, Culture Group, China

Michael Patent is a sports, entertainment and brand marketing executive with a 14 year history of developing creative partnerships in the United States and Asia. He is the founder of Culture Group, a pan-Asian sports and entertainment agency serving global brands and talent, as well as leading regional marketers. Based in Shanghai and Singapore, Culture Group helps brands and performers build partnerships throughout Asia to reach the world’s largest emerging middle class.

As a groundbreaking cross-border brand partnership and IP strategy agency, Culture Group focuses on maximizing scalable business throughout Asia. With more than a decade of experience as a senior sports and entertainment executive, Michael is passionate about helping clients seize commercial opportunities and successfully engage new customers and fans. He has a deep understanding of the Asian entertainment and content ecosystem and speaks Mandarin Chinese with intermediate fluency.

Joseph Wadakethalakal, Corporate Development, IR, and Strategic Partnerships, Mobile Premier League, Singapore

Joseph is an experienced founder with a history of success in media and technology. In 2015 he founded Brilio.net and led the business as CEO. He built Brilio into the leading millennial content publisher in Indonesia and a top 5 media website in Indonesia (no.14 overall per Alexa) with 20mm++ monthly unique visitors. He exited Brilio in 2018 through a trade sale.

Over the years he’s launched multiple businesses in Indonesia for clients through Seroja Partners, an Indonesian market expansion advisory practice he founded. Through Seroja he also managed to acquire the Southeast Asian licensing rights for Tough Mudder, an outdoor obstacle run brand. He raised independent financing for this project and successfully organized and executed the first Tough Mudder event in Asia (Bali, Oct 2016).

UK – Review of the Gambling Act 2005: A Sign of Things to Come for the Global Gaming Industry?

Moderator: Stephen Ketteley, Partner, Wiggin LLP, UK

Steve Ketteley is a partner at Wiggin, a leading firm in the media, entertainment and gaming spaces. He is based in London. By background, Stephen is a commercial, regulatory and technology lawyer and concentrates on advising clients on all operational and regulatory aspects of their businesses, with a particular expertise in the infrastructure that underpins the on-line gambling industry. He acts for operators and suppliers alike by drafting, negotiating and advising on matters such as intellectual property, software licensing and development, white-label supply agreements and affiliate arrangements and advises on the regulatory aspects of corporate transactions and the corresponding issues affecting investors, lenders and intermediaries. He regularly speaks at the sector’s major conferences, regularly writes for its major publications and is noted in Chambers and the Legal500 as an expert on legal matters relating to the online gambling industry.

Speakers:
Tamsin Blow, Partner, CMS Law, UK

Tamsin Blow is a Partner in the Litigation and Arbitration Group, specialising in commercial, media and public law dispute resolution. Tamsin draws on over ten years’ experience with the firm to offer clients strategic and commercial advice on potential and on-going disputes.

Tamsin acts in substantial commercial disputes including multi-jurisdictional fraud cases for claimants (such as the former subsidiaries of Yukos Oil) and defendants.

Tamsin supports clients through reputation management issues and times of crisis. She draws on her expertise in defamation, data protection and privacy law and her investigations experience, including as advisor to News International in relation to the voicemail interception crisis.

Tamsin also has particular expertise advising gambling operators on a full range of contentious legal and regulatory issues, including supplier disputes, customer disputes, judicial reviews, Gambling Commission investigations and licence reviews and anti-money laundering and social responsibility policies and procedures.

Tamsin is a strong supporter of CMS’ CSR programme, in particular co-ordinating support for the Ladies Day initiative by Whitechapel Mission, which provides support to the homeless and vulnerable in East London.

John Hagan, Managing Partner, Harris Hagan, UK

John co-founded Harris Hagan with Julian Harris in May 2004.

Specialising in all aspects of online and land-based gambling law, and with over 20 years’ of gambling law experience, John is recognised as a leading gambling lawyer by operators, suppliers and regulators throughout the world. He advises many of the world’s largest land-based and online gambling businesses (B2C and B2B), as well as many start-ups, investors and leading law firms. John has extensive gambling legal, regulatory and licensing experience advising on legal classification, non-remote and remote operating licence applications, casino competitions and premises licensing, personal applications, change of corporate control applications, transaction due diligence, corporate investments and transactions, complex group restructuring and the rationalisation of group licences. He also has extensive compliance and enforcement experience advising on general compliance and reporting requirements, compliance assessments, regulatory investigations, corporate evaluations, operating and personal licence reviews, and developing associated remedial compliance programmes and action plans.

In his spare time, John enjoys golf, rugby, football and chess.

Ian Ince, Head of Regulation and Compliance, Playtech, UK

Ian joined Playtech as Head of Regulation and Compliance in 2013 previously he worked for Sportingbet as Head of Regulatory Affairs. During this time he has firsthand experience of regulation across Europe and now has a deep understanding of regulation and the on-line gaming environment. Ian came to gaming through professional services, with Deloitte consulting in their Programme Leadership division, delivering business change to the BBC, and the NHS. He was also seconded to HM Treasury where he spent a year in the defence spending team analysing and advising to cabinet level on maritime procurement. The remainder of Ian’s career to date was spent in the British Army throughout the world. Unusually for a regulatory position Ian is not a lawyer! He has a degree in Engineering and an MBA.

Simon Bernholt, Chief Regulatory & Legal Officer, Flutter UK & Ireland

Simon is a former partner in Wiggin’s Betting and Gaming team. He advises clients on the full range of commercial, IP and domestic and international regulatory issues facing stakeholders in the gambling industry, as well as providing general strategic advice. Prior to joining Wiggin, Simon was Head of Legal at a leading gambling software and services supplier.

Mergers/acquisitions and the Competition Angle

The panel will discuss those aspects with representatives of the industry but all with consultants and financiers.

Moderator: Diane Mullenex, Partner, Pinsent Masons, UK

A French Advocate and English Solicitor, Diane started her career in Singapore in 1994 and has worked for more than seven years in South-East Asia, before coming back to practice and create her own firm in France in 2001. Diane specializes in telecommunications, technology and other regulated industries, such as gambling. More specifically, she dedicated herself to corporate, technology and telecom matters and, in particular, to complex issues requiring the co-ordination of these three areas of law. Diane’s work encompasses corporate, technology transactions and litigation in various sectors (such as drafting network management agreements, setting-up e-gambling web sites, managing landmark cybercrime cases). Her experience in the telecommunications and technology (including new services, such as gambling online) sectors has earned her the reputation of an expert. “”A new entry to these rankings, this compact but increasingly visible TMT practice wins glowing reviews for its IT and telecoms work. It has been particularly active on the IT front of late, and has built up notable expertise in the gambling sector. Recent work highlights include acting for gambling operator on its agreements with sports federations and sports events organizers relating to online sport betting. Sources say: “Brilliant TMT lawyers.” “Extremely professional, attentive and pragmatic.” Clients rave about founding partner and TMT practice head Diane Mullenex, describing her as “extremely knowledgeable, creative, reassuring and realistic” as well as “pragmatic and commercially aware.” They also appreciate that she is “very accessible and hands-on” and has “excellent language skills and an international approach.” (Chambers 2011) Diane regularly advises governments on regulatory issues and has contributed to the French report leading to the opening of the gambling sector. She is a Foreign Trade Advisor appointed by the French Government. Diane is also an Officer with the Communications Committee of the International Bar Association.

Speakers:
Adam Rivers, Director, KPMG LLP, UK

Adam works extensively on microeconomic strategy projects, both in the UK and internationally. His work includes advising clients on the economic analysis of demand, market size estimation, product design and statistical simulation, taxation, and broader regulatory issues.

He leads KPMG’s work in the betting and gaming sector, regularly presenting with clients to regulators on a global basis. He is a regular speaker, panellist and chair at international gambling conferences. He also has extensive experience in competition economics matters, including UK market investigations, UK/EU merger control, commercial disputes and damages estimation.

Hussein Chahine, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Stratasphere, UK

Hussein is a technology visionary leader and entrepreneur, holding a first class degree in Maths and Computing from Kingston University. Hussein moved from humble product engineering and product management all the way to building a niche bespoke software development business and the first commercial synchronous game engine that fully leverage cloud computing, with scalability, resilience, agility and cost-effectiveness as the key parameters for the architectural design specifications.

Hussein is natural at building exceptional agile teams, connecting with people at an emotional level, identify individuals’ talent and helping them realise their full potential. Hussein’s top communication skills combined with the ability to deliver through a lean structure provide opportunities to positively impact every element of customer value chain from development, testing and launching to marketing.

As a business leader, he spent the last 15+ years researching, learning the future of technologies focusing on consumer services and gaming technologies. As an entrepreneur and investor, he built Yazino from scratch, the first massively multiplayer online casino (MMOC), resulting in $5m+ in revenues during the first year of launch, $8m+ the second year and amassed 10m+ players and $35m over 5 years.

David McLeish, Partner, Wiggin LLP, UK

David advises clients across a range of industries on UK and international transactions but with a focus on the gambling, technology and sports sectors.

“I’ve spent over 20 years advising companies on M&A transactions, joint ventures, fundraisings and re-organisations. I was previously General Counsel at a leading listed gambling software supplier and advise some of the leading operators, suppliers and other stakeholders in the betting and gaming sector on their M&A and commercial deals, together with their regulatory and compliance strategies.

Having worked in-house as part of a management team for a number of years, I understand the commercial drivers of a project as well as the legal obstacles and can help navigate problems and unlock value to achieve the best outcome for my clients. Clients say I am “unflinchingly commercial, realistic and pragmatic”. My sons wish I took the same approach to their homework.”

The Impact of the Ongoing Global Pandemic in Regard to the EU/UK Regulated Markets

Moderator: Quirino Mancini, Partner, Tonucci & Partners, Italy

Global Head of the Gaming & Gambling practice.
20+ years of experience as a gaming law specialist.
Acts for most foreign-based companies operating in the Italian gaming market handling the local licensing process as well as advising on the intended business model (online and/or land-based) and its subsequent implementation, delivery and ongoing operation including any related contracts and licensing arrangements.
Alongside a vast, consolidated and diversified legal and regulatory practice he also offers a bespoke matchmaking and business strategy service aimed entailing introduction and facilitation of dealings with the local regulatory authorities and banks as well as research, scouting and suitability checks on potential business partners.
Advises market analysts, banks, investment houses and venture capital funds directly or indirectly involved in the Italian and other European gaming markets.
Regular speaker at the most important international gaming conferences as well as member of the editorial board of various sector magazines and publications.
Co-founder and editor of www.gaminglaw.eu, a panEuropean information and commentary portal focusing on legal and regulatory issues under European and national gaming laws.
Vice-President and fellow member of the Leadership Committee of the International Masters of Gaming Law, a worldwide organisation gathering regulators, lawyers and advisors, in-house counsels and educators engaged in the gaming business.

Speakers:
Ekaterina Hartmann, Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, European Gaming and Betting Association, Belgium

Prior to working at EGBA, Ekaterina worked on complaint and infringement handling in relation to the legislation of DG Health and Consumers at the European Commission. Other work experience includes work as an Assistant to a Member of European Parliament and in a Brussels-based consultancy. Ekaterina holds a Ph.D in Health Policy from the Medical University- Sofia as well as an LL.M in European Law and a B.A. in European Studies, both from the University of Maastricht, The Netherlands. She speaks English, French, Dutch and Bulgarian.

James Scicluna, Co-Managing Partner, WH Partners, Malta

James Scicluna, Partner at WH Partners in Malta is a dual-qualified English solicitor and Maltese advocate. Prior to co-founding WH Partners, he was General Counsel and Chief of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs for Betclic, the European online gaming & betting group. Previously, worked as a solicitor with Jeffrey Green Russell’s (now Gordon Dadds) company and commercial team in London. James has strong cross border expertise in regulatory affairs and significant experience in acting for gaming clients in M&A deals and big ticket sports sponsorship. He provides advice mainly to the Gaming, Financial Services, Real Estate and Hospitality industries. His areas of expertise are: government relations, gambling regulation, devising strategic commercial solutions within a regulated environment, IPR licensing, sport sponsorship, brand development and protection, mergers and acquisitions, international corporate and tax structuring, joint ventures, crowd funding and European Union law, especially in so far as the Internal Market is concerned. He has also acted on the financing of corporate deals with underlying investments in real estate and the trade financing of businesses in the UK. James is ranked as a leading lawyer in several practice areas, including Gaming & Gambling by the foremost independent legal directories. He is also a lecturer in Gaming Law at the University of Malta. James holds a Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Malta and an LLM in International Business Law from University College London, UK. Besides being a General Member of the International Masters of Gaming Law, he is also a member of the Malta Chamber of Advocates and the International Bar Association.

Marco Castaldo, CEO of Microgame SpA and Chairman of Astra, Italy

Marco Castaldo is the General Manager of the Microgame group, the leading service provider for online gaming and land-based betting in the Italian regulated market. Marco’s main background is in strategy consulting and merchant banking: as a partner in The Monitor Group, where he managed the Italian and French practices, he advised clients in various industries over a 15-year span. Marco’s gaming experience includes several years as CEO of one of the original 10 Italian AWP/VLT Licencees. Marco studied Physics at MIT and holds an MBA with Distinction from INSEAD. Prior to his MBA, Marco worked for Schlumberger, world leader in oilfield services, serving in various nations in Asia and Africa.

Niki Stephens, Partner, Mishcon de Reya, UK

Niki is a Partner in the Corporate department and a regulatory specialist in the Betting and Gaming group. Niki has nearly 10 years’ experience advising clients in the gambling and gaming sectors and regularly advises operators, software developers and platform providers in relation to commercial agreements, regulatory and compliance matters including anti-money laundering, consumer protection and marketing, compliance assessments and regulatory enforcement action.

Niki also advises on a full range of corporate transactions, including sales and acquisitions, reorganisations and joint ventures, and has worked on a number of cross-border transactions. Her experience covers a wide range of sectors including betting and gaming, technology, retail and leisure.

Niki has been recognised by Legal 500 as a ‘Next generation partner’ in Betting & Gaming and is acknowledged as ‘up and coming’ in Chambers. Niki is also a general member of the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL).

Emerging Markets in the Netherlands, Germany and Others Gradually Legalizing Online Gambling

Moderator: Frank Tolboom, Partner, Kalff Katz & Franssen, Netherlands

Frank Tolboom is partner at Kalff Katz & Franssen where he heads the Gaming & gambling practice group. He has a strong focus on regulation, licensing and compliance and has been involved in various sanction proceedings.

For more than 10 years Frank has been advising clients active in the (social) gaming and gambling industry and related sectors (media, payments and (e)sports) primarily on regulatory and compliance matters, licence application proceedings and civil and administrative litigation.

Frank is general member of the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL) and AIJA. He regularly speaks as gaming & gambling law expert at major industry conferences and contributes to key trade journals.

Speakers:
Justin Franssen, Partner, Kalff Katz & Franssen, Netherlands

Partner Justin Franssen is head of the Gaming practice group at Kalff Katz & Franssen Attorneys at Law. Prior to his admission to the bar in Amsterdam, he worked as a general counsel for a gaming company in Amsterdam and New York. He founded the KPMG European Gaming & Entertainment Services Group and co-founded gaminglaw.eu, the leading European portal on gaming and gambling law and regulation. Franssen established the Gaming, Sports & Entertainment practice group at VMW Taxand Attorneys at law, which he led for 12 years. He is board member of the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL) and member of the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA). In addition, he is on the editorial board of Gaming Law Review & Economics and on the advisory boards of the UNLV Gaming Law Journal and the International Research Institute for Gambling and Gaming in Bonn (D). He is a frequent speaker at key conferences and industry events and publishes regularly. He has been awarded eight consecutive ‘ Band 1′ rankings in Chambers Global. Peers laud Justin Franssen of Kalff Katz & Franssen Attorneys at Law as “the best gaming lawyer in Holland and one of the best in Europe.” (Chambers Global Edition 2014).

Matthias Spitz, Senior Partner, MELCHERS Law Firm, Germany

Dr. Matthias Spitz is a Senior Partner at Melchers Law Firm. He specialises in the area of gaming law with a focus on European law and administrative matters. Since 2013, he has been a member of the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL). He advises clients on the legal developments in online gambling and sports betting in Germany and, specifically, on the implementation of new gambling products on the German market, as well as on the development of advertising strategies for operators of online gaming. His areas of practice further cover administrative proceedings against regulatory measures. Matthias frequently publishes articles on regulatory developments in leading industry journals.

Frieder Backu, Partner, Witzel Erb Backu & Partner Rechtsanwälte mbB, Germany

Frieder Backu’s areas of specialism are IT law, corporate law and tax law for IT and technology companies.

He advises companies on formations, transactions and contractual negotiations and is their trusted partner for comprehensive, continuing legal advice, including complex and cross-disciplinary issues. His many longstanding clients include technology companies and corporates in Germany and abroad.

Frieder is an expert in the highly controversial field of gaming / gambling law.

Peter-Paul de Goeij, Managing Director, NOGA, Netherlands

Peter is an analytical and results-oriented business leader and consultant with extensive experience leading, directing, controlling business operations, structuring processes, formulating strategic plans, and dealing with regulatory and public affairs. Engaging and collaborative, he is a trusted professional, relied upon to identify and capitalise on opportunities for major process improvements. He is skilled in executive management, restructuring, policies execution, legal advice, lobbying, and business development.

He possesses in-depth knowledge and understanding of formulating actionable strategy recommendations, managing various departments, securing licences, and forging partnerships. He is able to understand process deficiencies and possess a keen understanding of how people — whether employees, vendors, customers, or partners–impact operations. He is known as articulate communicator, exhibiting excellent relationship building skills with fluency in Dutch, English, German, French and a basic control of Swedish.

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IMGL 2021 Spring Virtual Conference

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