The WGB programme is available to view in full
We think it's the most exciting and thorough programme on regulatory opportunities ever. Do you agree? If so, don't delay - secure your place now. Day 1, Wedneday 24th March 2010 | 08:30-09:00 | Registration and Morning Refreshments |
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| | 09:00-09:05 | Chair’s Opening Remarks
Reuben Portanier, Chief Executive Officer, Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Malta |
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| KEYNOTE
09:05-09:15 | KEYNOTE ADRESS
Tonio Fenech, Minister of Finance, Economy and Investment, Malta |
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| | 09:15-10:00 | In Search of Political Will: What Prospects for a Pan-European Policy in Light of Increased Legal and Technological Advances?
· Challenges posed by divergent approaches of member states
· Does the solution lie within each country, at a national level?
· Hunting the treasure at the end of the rainbow: a harmonised Internal Market for gambling services
· Should governments do more?
Hans-Jörn Arp, Member of Parliament for the Christian Democratic Party (CDU), German State of Schleswig-Holstein
Prof Dr Kurt Schelter, Minister Emeritus and Attorney at Law
Rolf Francis Sims, Legal Adviser, Ministry of Culture, Norway |
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| INDUSTRY PANEL
10:00-11:00 | New Changing Regulatory Landscape: Examining Legislative and Regulatory Movements in the EU and Member States
· Transformation to a regulated market – is 2010 the golden year?
· Can you expect the stance of the European Commission, Parliament and Council to change with a new Presidency and Head of Internal Market and Services?
· Will the French and Danish reforms bring about the pressure to widen fair-market access in formally prohibitive states?
· Italy: Now opening to bingo, casino and other games
· Previous hardliners Denmark, Belgium, Sweden and Germany are amending their legislative framework – who’s next?
· Reflections on ECJ’s Santa Casa decision and its implications for the industry
· Restrictive proposed legislation and severe taxation levels in ‘liberalising’ countries: is it worth investing and operating in?
· UK government’s change of heart on the subject of mutual recognition of licences
· A comparative analysis of the major regulatory models likely to emerge in a fragmented but liberalising market
- Old Europe-model (Italy, France)
- The market-oriented pragmatic model (Sweden)
- The modern media model (UK)
Moderator: Maria Micallef, Partner, RSM Malta
Sigrid Ligné, Secretary General, European Gaming and Betting Association(EGBA)
Tim Phillips, Director of European Public Affairs, Betfair
Rupert Hornig, General Delegate, European Lotteries Association |
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| | 11:00-11:20 | Coffee Break Sponsored by KPMG |
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| PANEL
11.20-12.00 | Executive Panel: Preparing the Ground for Consolidation
What are the regulatory challenges and solutions for a shifting industry as super-affiliates become operators; land based operators move online; B2C operators diversify into B2B; old media offer gaming to customers; sub-branding profligates?
· Is there a requirement for a monopolies and mergers industry board or is this something for the regulators to consider?
· Find out if the old, new and emerging operators take the same view on what opportunities can be exploited and share the same regulatory vision?
· Who is set to become the dominant player in 5 years time
· Can niche players in this market survive and thrive long-term?
Moderator: Mauro De Fabritiis, Partner, Head of International Business Development, MAG Consulenti Associati
Gabi Campos, Managing Director, Dragonfish
Magnus Grinneback, Business Area Director, Betsson.com
Adrian Morris, Deputy Managing Director, Stanleybet |
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| PANEL
12:00-12:40 | Regulatory Panel: Challenges of Balancing the Interests of Different Stakeholders in a Multi-Faceted Structure
· How to overcome cultural, legal and regulatory barriers within the "more liberalised" European betting market
· Further opening up of the markets in EU member states and future of gambling in the EU – how it affects you
· Overcome the obstacles presented with regulating nascent and constantly evolving technologies
· Regulatory cooperation: Europe, USA, South America and China – will regulatory bodies be able to work together?
Moderator: Dr. Olga Finkel, Managing Partner, WH Law
Peter Naessens, Staff Member, Gambling Commission, Belgium
Reuben Portanier, Chief Executive Officer, Lotteries & Gaming Authority, Malta
Phill Brear, Head of Gambling Regulation, Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
Eric van Vondelen, Secretary, Netherlands Gaming Control Board
André Wilsenach, CEO, Alderney Gambling Control Commission |
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| | 12:40-13:20 | An Update on Recent ECJ Rulings
Outcome and practical impact to your company of:
· The recent Santa Casa decision
· Carmen Media Group and Winner Wetten against the German state
· Advocate-general of the EC’s pronouncement on claims brought by Ladbrokes and Betfair against the Dutch government
· Cases brought against the Swedish government, regarding the right of Swedish newspapers to accept advertisements from foreign based online bookmakers
· Greek courts referring a case regarding Stanleybet, borne out of that company's attempt to open a betting shop in Greece
Dr Alan Littler, Faculty of Law & Tilburg Law & Economics Center (TILEC), Tilburg University
Ana Paula Barros, Head of Law, Santa Casa da Misericordia de Lisboa (SCML)
Karin Klein, Head of Regulatory Affairs, Bwin
Mark Warrington, Legal Counsel, Betfair
Dimitris Panageas, Director of Legal Services, Greek Organisation of Football Prognostics / OPAP |
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| | 13:20-14:30 | Lunch |
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| | 14.30-15.10 | Panel Framer: Investing in Responsible Gaming: Now Requiring Urgent Attention at Board Level
· The principal gains to your company and the gaming ecosystem
· What are the requirements for successful implementation?
· Pro active industry standards and boundaries
· Future Development of responsible gaming
· Consumer lead processes/empowerment
Hillevi Stuhrenberg, Manager for Responsible Gaming & CSR, Betsson
Followed by a discussion:
· Key accelerators for the market: legitimacy, transparency and security
· Importance of corporate responsibility in ensuring player protection for the industry’s reputation and integrity –
· Responsible gaming – a more dedicated and effective commitment required to comply with regulations
Dr Birgit Bosch, Managing Director, Interwetten Malta Ltd.
Ruth Tanami, Director for CSR & Responsible Gaming, 888
Eric Bouhanna, CEO, Adictel Worldwide |
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| | 15:10-15:30 | Banks and Financial Advisers: A Potential Change of Attitude
· How near is the end of online gaming blockage?
· Alternative solutions for payment collection and chargeback elimination
Mark Munson, Head of Payment Services, Ladbrokes
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| | 15:30-15:50 | Coffee Break |
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| | 15:50-16:20 | Mergers and Acquisitions: Back on the Agenda with a Brighter Regulatory Landscape
· Willing sellers and serious potential buyers in a buoyant market
· Core trends for future activity
· Main issues to consider
· Current opportunities
Mervyn Metcalf, Managing Director, Global Leisure Partners |
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| | 16:20-16:50 | Getting to Grips with Advertising: Pitfalls and Opportunities
· Advertising in the US and other international developments
· Understanding procedures for legitimate campaigns
· The importance of social media marketing
Lynsay Taffe, Policy and Public Affairs Advisor, Advertising Standards Authority
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| PANEL
16:50-17:30 | Innovations in iGaming: What Unique Regulatory Challenges Will They Pose?
· What can solution providers do to smooth the regulation of new products
· How can regulatory authorities and in-house councils frame regulation to accommodate for the pace of innovation in iGaming?
· Unwrapping the potential of mobile gaming: will those need separate legislation?
· Updating your platforms to be compliant ahead of the world cup and ensure you can generate revenues through them
Roger Parkes, Head of Regulatory Compliance, Betfair
Giulio Coraggio, Senior Associate, Lovells Studio Legale
Eitan Klein, In House Counsel, Spiral Solutions
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| | 17:30 | Chair’s Closing Remarks/Questions and Answers |
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| | 17:45 | End of Day I |
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| Cocktail Reception |
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| Dinner |
Day 2, Thursday 25th March 2010
PANEL
10:00-10:30 | Pan-European iGaming Legislation: State Controlled vs EU wide Regulatory Initiatives
· Possible evolution becoming a reality based on conditional recognition policy
· Updates on EU countries already adopting this approach
· Projections into 2010-11
Moderator: Julian Harris, Partner, Harris Hagan
Santiago Asensi, Asensi Abogados
Justin Franssen, Attorney, Van Mens & Wisselink
Dr Wulf Hambach, Partner, Hambach & Hambach
Quirino Mancini, Partner, SCM Partners
Thibault Verbiest, Partner, ULYS |
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| | 10:30-12:30 | COUNTRY ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS
Belgium
Jan Decorte, Partner, Koan - Legal Strategies
Denmark
Host TBA
France
Thibault Verbiest, Partner, ULYS
Germany
Dr Wulf Hambach, Partner, Hambach & Hambach
Greece
Host TBA
The Netherlands
Justin Franssen, Attorney, Van Mens & Wisselink
Malta
Andrew Zammit, Managing Partner, Zammit & Associates
Italy
Quirino Mancini, Partner, SCM Partners
Stefano Sbordoni, CEO, Studio Legale Sbordoni
Ireland
Joe Kelly, Partner, A&L Goodbody
Poland
Piotr Dynowski, Senior Associate and Head of the IP, Media and Advertising Team, Bird & Bird Maciej Gawroński, Warsaw
Spain
Albert Agustinoy Guilayn, Partner, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira
Santiago Asensi, Partner, Asensi Abogados
UK
Host TBA |
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| | 12:30-14:00 | Lunch |
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| | 14:00-14:10 | Chairman’s Opening Remarks |
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| | 14:10-14:40 | Fervent Excitement Within the Global Gaming Industry: Latin America Gaming Expansion
With rigorous regulation to foster continued growth and encourage private investment: Latin America is poised to become the world’s third-largest gaming market
· New legislation expected in Mexico to regulate Class III games
· Brazil: coming into focus with the advancement of Bill 2254 in the federal legislature – likely to become law in March 2010
· Possibilities and challenges related to legalising online gambling: Argentina is likely to be before the end of the year
Santiago Asensi, Partner, Asensi Abogados
Tim Phillips, Director of European Public Affairs, Betfair, former E-gaming Consultant for Latin America, Expansión Gaming |
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| | 14:40-15:20 | Central and Eastern Europe Offering Interesting Prospects
How to take advantage of the ever increasing opportunities in Eastern Europe, including:
· Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia embrace the online gambling revolution by allowing operators other than the state lottery to hold licences
· The new Romanian gaming legislation, its effects upon the industry, compliance with the ECJ practice or EU principles
· Bulgaria and Croatia are scheduled to follow suit with new legislation later in 2009
· Bulgaria is considering future amendments in gaming regulation
Bogdan I. Mararu, Senior Partner, Mararu and Mararu SCA
Nadia Hristova, Member of the Management Board, Bulgarian Trade Association of the Manufacturers and Operators in the Gaming Industry |
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| | 15:20-15:40 | Coffee Break |
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| | 15:40-16:00 | Asia: A Piece of the Action?
· Doing business the Asia way: the focus on cash betting, credit betting and the agency system
· The pan-Asian regulatory framework: pure prohibition, or opportunities?
· Catering to the locals: markets and methods to localise your business
· East to West: the rise of internet penetration and international payment options to benefit Western operators?
· Advertising gambling into Asia: the legal possibilities
· A recovery in the bricks and mortar sector: Macau on the mend, Singapore set to open
Tom Lippiett, Associate, Berwin Leighton Paisner |
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| 16:00-16:20 | Last minute call – Taking Advantage of the Worldcup – iGaming in South Africa
• The current and future state of iGambling regulation in South Africa
• The 2010 World Cup: landbased and interactive sportsbetting
Garron Whitesman, Attorney, Whitesmans Attorneys |
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| | 16:20-16:50 | Navigating the Path to a Regulated US iGaming Market
· As the USA igaming market gears up for liberalisation, get an overview of how events are unfolding in the USA
· Key strategic and legal advice to prepare your business: what potential various regulatory scenarios
· How to take full advantage of the emerging opportunities
Robert W. Stocker II, Dickinson Wright PLLC |
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| | 16:50-17:00 | Closing Keynote
Reuben Portanier, Chief Executive Officer, Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Malta |
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| End of Conference |
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Adrian Morris
Deputy Managing Director
Stanleybet Albert Agustinoy Guilayn
Partner
Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira Ana Paula Barros
Head of Law
Santa Casa da Misericordia de Lisboa (SCML) Andre Wilsenach
CEO
Alderney Gambling Control Commission Andrew Zammit
Managing Partner
Zammit & Associates Bogdan I. Mararu
Senior Partner
Mararu and Mararu SCA Bogdan I. Mararu
Senior Partner
Mararu and Mararu SCA Carmelo Mazza
International Business Development Manager
MAG Consulenti Dimitris Panageas
Director of Legal Services
Greek Organisation of Football Prognostics / OPAP Dr Alan Littler
Faculty of Law
Tilburg Law & Economics Center (TILEC), Tilburg University Dr Birgit Bosch
Managing Director
Interwetten Malta Ltd. Dr. Olga Finkel
Managing Partner
WH Law Eitan Klein
In House Counsel
Spiral Solutions Eric Bouhanna
CEO
Adictel Worldwide Eric van Vondelen
Secretary
Netherlands Gaming Control Board Gabi Campos
Managing Director
Dragonfish Garron Whitesman
Attorney
Whitesmans Attorneys Giulio Coraggio
Senior Associate
Lovells Studio Legale Hans-Jörn Arp
Member of Parliament for the Christian Democratic Party (CDU)
German State of Schleswig-Holstein Hillevi Stuhrenberg
Manager for Responsible Gaming & CSR
Betsson Jaka Repansek
Founder
RePublis Consulting Joe Kelly
Partner
A&L Goodbody Juan Carlos Alfonso Rubio
Coordination Director
Loterías y Apuestas del Estado, Spain Julian Harris
Partner
Harris Hagan Justin Franssen
Attorney
Van Mens & Wisselink Karin Klein
Director of Regulatory Affairs
Bwin, Austria Lynsay Taffe
Policy and Public Affairs Advisor
Advertising Standards Authority Magnus Grinneback
Business Area Director
Betsson.com Maria Micallef
Partner
RSM Malta Mark Munson
Head of Payment Services
Ladbrokes Mark Warrington
Legal Counsel
Betfair Mervyn Metcalf
Managing Director
Global Leisure Partners Nadia Hristova
Member of the Management Board
ulgarian Trade Association of the Manufacturers and Operators in the Gaming Industry Olga Finkel
Managing Partner
WH Law Peter Naessens
Staff Member
Gambling Commission, Belgium Phill Brear
Head of Gambling Regulation
Gibraltar Regulatory Authority Piotr Dynowski
Senior Associate and Head of the IP, Media and Advertising Team
Bird & Bird Maciej Gawroski, Warsaw Prof Dr Kurt Schelter
Minister Emeritus
Attorney at Law Quirino Mancini
Partner
SCM Partners Reuben Portanier
Chief Executive Officer
Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Malta Robert W. Stocker II,
Counselor at Law
Dickinson Wright PLLC Roger Parkes
Head of Regulatory Compliance
Betfair Rolf Francis Sims
Legal Adviser
Ministry of Culture, Norway Rupert Hornig
General Delegate
The European Lotteries Ruth Tanami
Director for CSR & Responsible Gaming
888.com Santiago Asensi
Partner
Asensi Abogados Sigrid Ligné
Secretary General
European Gaming and Betting Association(EGBA) Stefano Sbordoni
CEO
Studio Sbordoni Thibault Verbiest
Partner
ULYS Law Firm Tim Phillips
Director of European Public Affairs
Betfair Tom Lippiett
Associate
Berwin Leighton Paisner Tonio Fenech
Minister of Finance, Economy and Investment
Malta Wes Himes
Secretary General
Remote Gambling Association Wulf Hambach
Partner
Hambach & Hambach Law Firm  |