MGA conference hosts gaming regulators and advisors

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) hosted – and participated in – the first joint conference bringing together the Gaming Regulators European Forum (GREF) and the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA).

The two-day conference was held at the Westin Dragonara Resort in St Julian’s.

Advisors and regulators from all the global gaming spheres met for the first time at the conference, which provided an excellent opportunity for operators, suppliers, attorneys, investors, regulators and other advisors to discuss key challenges facing the gaming industry today.

MGA’s executive chairman Joseph Cuschieri participated in a panel titled, “Lotteries: What Does the Future Hold?” together with other international experts from the gaming industry.

The panel discussion included (left to right): Stephen Martino, from Duane Morris; Ben Haden, UK National Lottery; Joseph Cuschieri, MGA; Irene Van Affelen, Dutch Charity Lotteries; Jeremy Kleiman, Saiber LLC (US); and Leslie MacLeod-Millar, International Gaming Regulation (UK)

The panel discussed the evolution of the international lottery industry which has changed the focus to new technologies, in-store experience, new products and on line sales channels.

It also discussed policy objectives of governments in the various territories with respect to the role of lotteries, funding of good causes, their products and the pros and cons of state control of such entities.

The role of regulators in the fight against match-fixing, the evolving anti-money laundering compliance practices, emerging markets, and the changing landscape of national lotteries amongst other interesting topics were also discussed.

The opening speech was delivered by competitiveness minister Emmanuel Mallia.