PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
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Better together
QUIRINO MANCINI President INTERNATIONAL MASTERS OF GAMING LAW
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his issue of the IMGL Magazine was being finalized on the eve of our spring conference in Tampa Bay, Florida, meaning that attendees will get the added benefit of a physical copy to take away with them. Our conferences are a vital part of what it means to be an IMGL member. Indeed, they are considered so important that our founders (of which I was one) included a requirement to have attended an IMGL conference into the criteria for membership. Why was this done? As well as indicating a level of enthusiasm, it singles out those who will get the most out of membership by committing themselves to the learning and networking that are at the heart of the organization. That’s why the Tampa Bay organizing committee have gone to great lengths to arrange a unique social program including a tour of the city’s aquarium, a tequila tasting experience for younger members, our opening and closing receptions and, of course, another of our legendary gala dinners. It is not all socializing, of course, and our education program is as strong as ever with speakers and panellists from four continents contributing to a packed agenda. I must express my appreciation and gratitude to the organizing committee for their hard work in creating an event which will, I’m sure, live long in the memory. One highlight of our Tampa Bay conference is the second edition of our student writing competition which will see another young gaming lawyer given IMGL’s support as they embark on their careers. I am grateful to Kathryn Rand and her colleagues on our education committee for the work they have put in to both solicit entries and select this year’s winner.
I am delighted to report that our relationship with gaming regulators continues to mature and develop. As well as a burgeoning partnership with IAGR, which you will hear more of as we approach our joint conference in the autumn, we have a new event happening in Tampa. We sometimes forget how pressurized regulators are, having to manage the political demands of law makers whilst working with the industry. Our first regulator’s breakfast will be a “safe space” for upwards of 30 public officials to network, share experiences and hopefully advance the cause of better regulation. Our executive direction, Brien Van Dyke, recently conducted a survey of members which was instructive. Thank you to everyone who completed the survey. As ever, your contributions were thoughtful and highly relevant and will inform our future plans for the organization. It is always good to hear direct from members what they value about the organization and, of course, areas where we could serve them better. The results will be shared with attendees at our spring conference. If you haven’t been able to travel to Tampa Bay, you’ll have another opportunity to connect with fellow IMGL members at our autumn conference in Rome in October. This is a joint event with IAGR and is sure to be a sell out so I encourage you to register early via our website. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this edition of the IMGL Magazine and look forward to your feedback. Quirino Mancini
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IMGL MAGAZINE | APRIL 2024
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