European Gaming Lawyer magazine Autumn 2015 | Page 7

[ President’s Message ] Joerg Hofmann, [email protected] W President Joerg Hofmann elcome to this edition of the European Gaming Lawyer! You will find that this edition once again demonstrates IMGL’s continued positive and significant development, in particular in relation to the high standards that we have set ourselves regarding the educational purpose and international orientation or our organization. One of the highlights of this edition clearly is the announcement of this year’s winners of the prestigious “Regulator of the Year Award” for the Americas and Europe. You may recall that in 2014 the IMGL introduced a new Regulator of the Year category for Asia/Australasia in order to account for the increasing number of members from the Asia and Pacific region and the significant developments of markets and regulation in this part of the world. For similar reasons the IMGL this year decided to subdivide the “Americas” category into a “North America” and a “Central/South America” category and to select a winner for the 2015 Regulator of the Year Award from both these regions. This not only underlines IMGL’s endeavors to further expand globally but also honors the outstanding achievements by regulators in the emerging markets of Central/ South America more accurately as political and cultural variances between North and Central/South America can better be taken into account. But now, without further ado, let me introduce you to this year’s winners of the Regulator of the Year Award for North America, Central/South America and Europe. I congratulate Mark Ostrowski, Administrator/Director, Illinois Gaming Board (2015 ROY – North America) Manuel San Roman Benavente, General Director of Casino Gaming and Slot Machines, Peru (2015 ROY – Central/South America) Jenny Williams, Commissioner and Chief Executive, Gambling Commission, Great Britain (2015 ROY – Europe) I wish to thank them for their exceptional commitment towards a sensible gambling regulation and for encouraging an open dialogue between industry players, regulators and all other parties involved. You will find a lot more information on our award winners later in this edition. Although not a surprise considering Mr. San Roman’s remarkable achievements and the pioneering role of Peru in gaming regulation, I consider it a happy coincidence that our Regulator of the Year 2015 for Central/South America operates in the country where our next IMGL Autumn Conference will be held. The IMGL Autumn Conference in Lima (14-16 October 2015) marks a historic step in IMGL history as it will be the first IMGL conference ever to be held in South America. Being able to hand over our very first Regulator of the Year Award for Central/South America on this occasion and being able to hand over this award to a Peruvian official gives me great pleasure and will make this historic step even more special. Speaking about the IMGL Autumn Conference, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you to register for the conference soon. I hope to see many of you there and am already looking forward to the conference, not least as I am confident that it will continue IMGL’s streak of very successful and wellrecognized conferences. In fact, this reminds me of something I have wanted to share with you: During my travels I have had the pleasure of observing and experiencing just how well-recognized the IMGL and our conferences are. I notice that IMGL members are welcomed with open arms, high expectations and utmost respect when acting as speakers, moderators or guests at global conferences. The uncompromisingly high standard of our own conferences and Masterclasses, the quality and the international profile of our publications and the open debate and dialogue that has been established between stake holders in the industry, advisors and regulators within our organization are gratefully received. I am convinced that when the founders of the IMGL noticed that the gaming world lacked a platform which could bring together these demanding assets they made the best decision in creating the IMGL. I am proud that the IMGL stays true to its roots by being the pre-eminent international networking and educational organization that it is and still constantly continues to grow and improve from strength to strength. Keep up the good work and see you all in Lima! European Gaming Lawyer | Autumn Issue | 2015 | 7