Spring 2024 Updates

I have just returned from our very successful spring conference in Tampa Bay, Florida where attendees benefited from three days of learning, networking and socialising.

Our conferences are a vital part of what it means to be an IMGL member. Indeed, they are considered so important that our founders (of which I was one) included a requirement to have attended an IMGL conference into the criteria to qualify for membership, and once a member, to attend at least one of our bi-annual gatherings.

Why was this done? As well as indicating a level of enthusiasm, it singles out those who will get the most out of membership by committing themselves to the learning and networking that are at the heart of the organisation. That was the reason why the Tampa Bay organising committee went to great lengths to arrange a unique social program, including a tour of the city’s aquarium, a tequila tasting experience for younger members, opening and closing receptions and, of course, another enjoyable gala dinner.

It is not all socialising, of course, and the education programme for all our events is as important as ever, with speakers and panellists from four continents contributing to a packed agenda. I must express my appreciation and gratitude to the organising committee for their hard work in creating an event which will, I’m sure, live long in the memory. Special thanks also to our sponsors whose ongoing support is of paramount importance for purposes of enabling the IMGL to always deliver an event up to the highest standards in terms of locations, fringe programme, services….and wine list too.

One highlight of our Tampa Bay conference was the second edition of our student writing competition, which saw another young gaming lawyer given IMGL’s support as they embark on their career. This year’s winner was Charles Cahillane whose paper on Loot Boxes impressed both our judges and the audience in Florida. I am grateful to Kathryn Rand and her colleagues on our education committee for the work they have put in to both solicit entries and select this year’s winner. Many congratulations go to Charles and to our other worthy finalist Tamara Parson who also submitted an excellent paper.

I am delighted to report that our relationship with gaming regulators continues to thrive and develop both at individual members and association (IAGR) levels. One new feature of our Tampa Bay event was a regulator’s breakfast which was a tremendous opportunity to connect with those who make and enforcement the rules we all live by.  Even more is to come when our paths cross again with those of the IAGR later this year in Rome, where we will be holding our respective conferences with a partly joint programming and lots of interesting topics of common interest.

As I write we are also deep into the planning of our autumn conference to be held in partnership with IAGR. I am also looking forward to numerous occasions both in the US and Europe where we will share panels with regulators and gain their unique perspectives. We sometimes forget how pressurised they are, having to manage the political demands of law makers whilst working with the industry

Our executive director, Brien Van Dyke, recently conducted a survey of members which was instructive. Thank you to everyone who completed the survey. As ever, your contributions were thoughtful and highly relevant and will inform our future plans for the organisation. It is always good to hear direct from members what they value about the IMGL and, of course, areas where we could serve them better.

If you were not able to travel to Tampa Bay, you’ll have another opportunity to connect with fellow IMGL members at our autumn conference in Rome in October. This event promises to be a very special one as well as a likely sell out, so I encourage you to register early via our website.

Meanwhile, I wish you a successful few months and look forward to catching up with many of you at the various upcoming industry events.

Quirino Mancini