Regulator of the Year 2017 – Europe
Birgitte Sand Director , Danish Gambling Authority
Past IAGR president 2014-2015
In 2008 , Birgitte Sand was appointed to her current position as Director of the Danish Gambling Authority after being a long-standing member of the Executive Board of the National Tax Administration in Copenhagen . She began her career in the Danish Court of Taxation but has since then covered a wide range of different tasks and management positions in the Ministry of Taxation . Her experiences span from legal advice on corporate tax structures and taxation of private companies and property to the central IT department , and furthermore include projects regarding leadership , innovation , strategy , change of organizational structures and the development of a nationwide userfriendly IT solution for salary payments . She has been a long-standing member of the board coordinating the nationwide tax compliance projects .
More recently , Birgitte Sand has been responsible for the successful implementation of a liberalisation of the Danish Gambling Market . The results show that the markets are now stable , highly compliant and well-functioning . Jamie Nettleton of Addisons Sydney and Vice President of IMGL states , “ Birgitte deserves recognition for her untiring efforts to promote Denmark as a best practice precedent for other jurisdictions , whether in Europe or globally , considering a licensing regime for gambling .”
The Danish Gambling Authority is responsible for issuing licenses and furthermore supervising and controlling a wide range of gaming providers that stretch from land-based casinos to lotteries , gaming machines , charity lotteries , betting , online casino , public poker tournaments and horse racing . Of this position , she states , “ I enjoy tremendously getting outside the regulatory comfort zone and being challenged by the industry presenting new products and new ways of operating that do not necessarily fit into any existing framework . A good working relationship calls for trust , cooperation and willingness to find solutions . I have the highest regard for jurisdictions that seek to create a framework where gambling can prosper in a legal manner and players at the same time experience a fair and transparent market .”
Over the last year , Birgitte has been challenged with a government dictated relocation of the Gambling Authority and has successfully overseen the relocation and recruitment of new staff for the authority . Of the variety of challenges and opportunities she has faced in her gaming career , she says , “ Initially , it felt like entering a dark cave ; turn on the torch and realize you stand in a gold mine - of opportunities !”
Birgitte Sand holds a master ’ s degree in Law from the University of Copenhagen , and she has also completed an INSEAD Executive Programme . She has been very active as a speaker in international industry conferences and by doing so she is helping to bridge the gap between industry ( commercial ) professionals and government regulators . She candidly remarks , “ We , as regulators , have to admit to the fact that we do not always have the resources and skills to understand gaming in the same way the industry does . Once we are clear about industry needs , we can create a cooperative environment with the industry in order to create a platform where compromises and realistic solutions can be agreed , and gambling legislation understood and respected .”
Since 2011 Birgitte Sand has been a member of the International Association of Gaming Regulators ( IAGR ) Board of Trustees and served as President from October 2014 to October 2015 . She is still serving as a trustee and furthermore as chair of the subcommittee for statistics . She states , “ I have had the privilege to learn from fellow regulators around the world how important it is to create platforms for cooperation and development between industry , sport organizations , legislators and regulators if ever we wish to fight illegal gambling and crime in gambling . It makes a lot of sense to me if my DGA colleagues and I can contribute to building a strong defence against the bad elements in the gaming industry by sharing our experiences and taking part in an honest and open exchange of successes - and failures .”
Birgitte has over the years supported IMGL by attending and speaking at many IMGL conferences and is co-chair of the IMGL 2017 autumn conference in Copenhagen . Justin Franssen of Kalff Katz and Franssen says , “ The Danish regulatory set up as well as the role of the Danish regulator inspires many in the gaming industry . Birgitte continues to be deeply engaged in various industry events across the globe . Not only does she make sure the Danish authority stays on top of regulatory developments she also is super friendly and approachable .”
European Gaming Lawyer | Autumn Issue | 2017 | 19