Fuga (Iagr): ‘Working for a global gaming regulation’

Iagr President, Dale Fuga, explains to GiocoNews.com targets and expectations of this year edition of the conference.

What do you expect from this edition of the Iagr Conference? What will be the topics at the center of the debate? “I expect to see a lot of interaction and dialogue at our conference. Our conference theme is: ‘Let’s make great regulation – together’ which is exemplified by the wide range of topics covered in our agenda. Discussion will be encouraged between delegates and presenters and between regulators and industry. We have many very interesting topics on the agenda, such as: the effectiveness of regulatory sanctions; the success or failure of payment blocking; a discussion regarding various gambling regulatory models; challenges around defining and measuring gambling-related harm; and, of course, the importance of maintaining a dialogue between regulators and the industry. I think this will be great conference which will prove to be of lasting benefit for all of those who attend”. What are the priorities that regulators face today, on a general level, from your point of view? “The primary purpose of a regulator is to ensure the honesty and integrity of the games and those involved within the gaming industry as well as protection of the patrons, the general public and the vulnerable. These priorities have remained constant throughout the years despite the rapidly changing technology and market shifts. Our challenge as regulators is to keep abreast of these changes and adapt our policies and procedures accordingly while adhering to the preceding fundamentals. Hence, the importance of maintaining an open dialogue amongst each other and with those in the industry”. Do you believe that the objective of harmonizing the laws governing the individual gaming markets can be achieved? “Legislation, laws, and regulations vary by country, state, province, and even municipality. They are guided by politics, customs and policies which, although remaining true to the main principles outlined in the response to the question above, makes it difficult to achieve complete harmonization throughout all gaming markets. Through associations and conferences such as ours, however, we can discuss ideas, share best practices and seek an understanding of our differences”. Recently, one of the topics that is being discussed in Europe is that of games advertising: especially now, that Italy, with a recent government law, banned all forms of advertising of games of chance. What do you think of this kind of measure? will it be the subject of debate at the Copenhagen Conference? “Yes, the advertising ban and/or limitations, including the recent advertising ban in Italy, is a topic which will be raised at the conference on Wednesday morning, September 19th. I am looking forward to the discussion and seeing the various arguments which may arise for and against the issue”.