Changing of the guard at regulator´s association

The International Association of Gaming Regulators has elected its first woman president in Susan Hensel, the director of licensing for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Hensel takes over from outgoing president Serobi Maja, who is the chief executive officer of the Limpopo Gambling Board in South Africa.

Gaming regulators in both the United States and other parts of the world praised Hensel’s dedication to casino regulation and her leadership at the association’s conference held in Cape Town, South Africa recently.

“Director Hensel has provided great leadership and commitment in an important transition period for our organization,” said Mark Lipparelli, chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and treasurer of the IAGR Board of Trustees.

“This independent group of regulators has established itself as the new forum for worldwide cooperation and education at a time when it is more relevant than ever and we look forward to Susan’s leading role at IAGR.”

André Wilsenach, executive director of the Alderney Gambling Control Commission in the Channel Islands says Hensel has been a long-standing and highly valued member of the Association and brings not only her knowledge of gaming regulation to the position, but also her experience of working with regulators around the world.

“Having worked with Susan, I am convinced she will lead the Association to higher heights in building much valued relationships amongst regulators and various interest groups around the world,” Wilsenach opined.

Among the topics covered during the conference were;

* Technological Developments and Challenges in Internet Gaming;

* Problem Gambling and the Impact of New Technology and Social Media;

* Best Practices on Testing and Certification of Gambling Equipment;

* Integrity in Sports Betting;

* Licensing Regimes; International Cooperation;

* Junket Operators: East vs. West; Pre-Commitment of Gaming Machines and Central Monitoring Systems.

The conference featured an opening address by Dr. Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry for South Africa and a keynote address by Professor Peter Collins, Executive Director, South African Responsible Gaming Foundation who discussed Ethics in Business, Politics and the Regulation of Gaming.

Hensel said that she and her fellow regulators must build on the momentum by establishing IAGR as a resource for thought leadership and encouraging cooperation among regulators around the world.

The following officers were elected to lead IAGR in 2011-2012: Mike Sarquis, Executive Director, Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, Australia as Vice-President; Mark Lipparelli, Chairman, Nevada Gaming Control Board, United States as Treasurer and James Chan, Singapore as Secretary.

The following were elected to IAGR’s Board of Trustees:

Trustee Atle Hamar, Norway
Trustee Mike Hill, New Zealand
Trustee Serobi Maja, South Africa
Trustee Lau Peet Meng, Singapore

Trustee Birgitte Sand, Denmark
Trustee Jenny Williams, Great Britain
Trustee Andre Wilsenach, Alderney

The IAGR works to advance the effectiveness and efficiency of gaming regulation throughout the world and provides a forum in which gaming regulators from various countries can meet, exchange views and information, and discuss policy issues. The body creates a means of fostering cooperation between gaming regulators in the performance of their official duties and is a central point of contact for inquiries from governments, gaming regulatory agencies and personnel, and representatives of the international gaming industry.

The 2012 annual conference will be held in Singapore.