August 2018 President’s Message

​IMGL is looking forward to our 2018 autumn conference which is taking place in Prague from 5-7 September 2018.  Stephen Ketteley and Robert Skalina and the Prague conference committee have put together a fulsome agenda, details of which are available on our website at imgl.org.

The conference will involve a number of topical discussions involving industry leaders, covering issues such as artificial intelligence, keeping crime out of gaming, promoting social responsibility and diversity.

There will also be a number of social highlights, including a Gala Dinner at the Lobkowicz Palace (which is being sponsored by the SAZKA Group) and an opening reception at Zofin Garden (being sponsored by CMS).

Plans are also underway for our reception due to be in Las Vegas on 9 October taking place at The Country Club- Wynn Las Vegas.  Invitations will be forwarded to all IMGL members soon.

On the following day (10 October), IMGL will be hosting an IMGL Masterclass, which is being convened by Marc Ellinger and Marc Dunbar, to take place at the Sands Expo within the Venetian.  Details are available on our website.

The various IMGL Regulator of the Year regional Committees have been busy in their selection of the IMGL Regulators of the Year.  A number of highly qualified nominees have been proposed, and I am pleased to announce that the following awards have been made:

Regulator of the Year- Americas – Sara Gonso Tait, Executive Director, Indiana Gaming Commission

Regulator of the Year – Europe –   Juan Espinosa Garcia, Direccion General de Ordenacion del Juego, Spain

Regulator of the Year – Australasia – Michael Sarquis, Executive Director, Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, Department of Justice and Attorney General, Queensland, Australia.

Regulator of the Year – Indian Country – Gordon Dickie, Executive Director, Seminole Tribal Gaming Commission, Florida

Outstanding Achievement Award – Europe – Joseph Cuschieri, Malta

Outstanding Achievement Award – United States – A.G. Burnett, Nevada

Please join me in congratulating each of the recipients.  Each is extremely well deserved and IMGL is pleased to recognize the leadership which each of these regulators has given.  These awards will be bestowed at various IMGL events, with the American recipients being awarded plaques to recognize their awards at our VIP reception in Las Vegas on 9 October 2018.

Finally, I would like to thank our Executive Director, Sue McNabb, for her tremendous efforts given to IMGL in her capacity as IMGL Executive Director.  Sue is retiring as IMGL Executive Director, and we thank her for the energy, integrity and the huge endeavours which she has brought to the role.  Sue will continue to be involved actively as an IMGL member, and I am sure that you will continue to see her at various IMGL events from time to time.  Please join me in wishing Sue well and thank her for her support as IMGL Executive Director.

I would also like to welcome Brien van Dyke as IMGL’s Assistant Executive Director.  She will be dealing with the support and co-ordination of IMGL matters going forward.  Brien can be contacted on brien@imgl.org.

We look forward to seeing you in Prague and other IMGL events, including an IMGL Masterclass near you.

Best wishes,

Jamie Nettleton
PRESIDENT