Ben Haden (Iagr): 'Collaboration between gaming regulators is fundamental'

Navigate the future of gaming regulation in a transforming world. This is the central theme of the Iagr conference which takes place in Rome at the Parco dei Principi from 21 to 24 October. The International association of gaming regulators is a global organisation that fosters collaboration and information exchange among gaming regulators. The mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of gaming regulation worldwide. Ben Haden, president of Iagr and director of research and statistics at Great Britain’s gambling commission, explains us the details of the event.

How will the Iagr conference develop and what will be the main topics covered?

"The Iagr conference in Rome, held in partnership with the International Masters of Gaming Law (Imgl), explores the evolving landscape of gaming regulation. This year’s theme is Navigate the future of gaming regulation in a transforming world. The theme and content reflect the pressing issues of our time, including artificial intelligence, responsible gambling, emerging market challenges and illegal gambling.

Iagr conferences always aim to foster global collaboration, offering sessions designed to tackle both regulatory and legal challenges across borders. This year, the Imgl partnership brings richer cross-industry perspectives, opening up more dialogue between regulators, legal experts and industry leaders.

I can share with you that we expect this conference to be the highest attended conference in both Iagr and Imgl’s history with around 400 attendees joining us from over 50 countries. This record attendance shows the appetite of gaming regulators, lawyers and industry thought leaders to collaborate and stay at the forefront of global trends, opportunities and challenges.”

What are the latest product innovations and how will they be discussed at the conference?

“At this year’s conference, we’ll highlight how cutting-edge technologies, particularly Ai and data analytics, are reshaping the gaming industry. Sessions will explore innovations that empower regulators and operators to enhance monitoring, compliance and player protection.  We’ll also address emerging products, such as AI-driven solutions that help identify problem gambling behaviours and personalised gaming experiences.

By focusing on the potential and ethical implications of these innovations, I’m confident attendees will leave with a well-rounded understanding of tech's role in modern gaming regulation.”

Regarding the global market. How important is cooperation between regulators to ensure that the market evolves in the right direction?

“Global cooperation among regulators is vital to the success of gaming regulation. In our digital world where both players and operators cross borders with ease, regulatory gaps can be exploited, particularly by illegal gambling operations. That’s why Iagr emphasises international collaboration, sharing best practices and experiences through initiatives like our illegal gambling working group.

By working together, we can better ensure our regulatory frameworks protect players and market integrity. It's especially valuable for regulators at different stages of market maturity to come together. It’s a great melting pot of experience and fresh perspective, encouraging a balanced and current approach to regulation.”

Could artificial intelligence play a fundamental role in helping cooperation between regulators?

“Absolutely. Ai is transforming the world, and gambling and its regulation is no exception. Ai’s potential to enhance regulatory cooperation is significant. Its capability to improve process and enhance decision making and its capacity to step-change the depth of analysis possible will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of cross-border regulatory efforts.

At the conference, we’ll explore AI’s role in streamlining communication between jurisdictions and tackling illegal gambling. AI also offers enhanced compliance and collaboration tools, allowing regulators to share insights and risk models more efficiently.