European Gaming Lawyer magazine Autumn 2017 | Page 14

International Masters of Gaming Law
Regulator of the Year 2017
By Sue McNabb
E
Sue McNabb
ach autumn, International Masters of
Gaming Law (IMGL) recognizes
outstanding regulators based on
stringent standards, including
preeminence in the regulatory fi eld
and their noteworthy contributions to the overall
body of regulatory work.
Th e regulators are selected from various
jurisdictions internationally based on a rigorous
nomination and review process. Th e categories
are Europe, North America, South and Central
America, Australasia, Indian Country, and Evolving
Jurisdictions. A regulator is not necessarily chosen
from each category in each year. Th ey are selected
only if they receive the required nomination and meet
the demands of the review procedure.
Th e specifi c criteria for the selection process
include that the overall body of work as a regulator
be exceptional and that the regulator make
contributions to the gaming industry as a whole
while demonstrating noteworthy achievements in
the regulation of the industry. Th e nominee must
also provide a stable regulatory environment in the
jurisdiction, be identifi ed as a person of high integrity,
and demonstrate service to the community.
Th rough this annual selection process, IMGL
continues its mission of “advancing gaming law
through education” by selecting regulators who refl ect
a similar mission in their management style while
serving as role models in the regulatory environment.
Th is year’s recipients of the award for IMGL Regulator
of the Year certainly refl ect these characteristics in
their professional approach to the task of regulating
a challenging and diverse gaming market. IMGL is
proud to announce the Regulator of the Year, North
America: Ronnie Jones, Chairman of the Louisiana
Gaming Control Board; Birgitte Sand, Director of the
Danish Gambling Authority, Regulator of the Year,
Europe; and David Vialpando, Chairman of the Iipay
Nation of the Santa Ysabel Gaming Commission and
Terry Hale, past Interim Chief Gaming Regulator of
the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma as co-recipients for
Regulator of the Year, Indian Country.
IMGL has presented the awards since 2002. For
a complete list of all past recipients, please visit our
website at imgl.org.
Regulator of the Year 2017 –
North America Regulator of the Year 2017 –
Indian Country
Ronnie Jones Terry Hale
Regulator of the Year 2017 –
Indian Country Regulator of the Year 2017 –
Europe
David Vialpando Birgitte Sand
14 | European Gaming Lawyer | Autumn Issue | 2017