Compliance Updates
Massachusetts Gaming Commission Names Director of Investigations and Enforcement Bureau and Executive Director
The MGC met on January 31 in a public meeting to interview candidates for the role of IEB Director. Following those interviews, commissioners voted 5-0 to appoint Caitlin Monahan Director of the agency’s IEB. Monahan served as Interim Director of the IEB and before that served for three years as a member of the MGC’s legal division, recently as deputy general counsel. Prior to joining the MGC, Monahan was a litigator in the Boston office of the law firm WilmerHale. She started her career as an assistant in the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. Monahan graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School.
“I am excited for this important opportunity to lead the Commission’s Investigations and Enforcement Bureau. Having served in the MGC’s legal division previously and in this role on an interim basis, I know the essential work in front of us and look forward to continue to collaborate with my colleagues across the MGC to ensure the integrity and safety of gaming in the Commonwealth,” said Monahan.
The IEB is the largest division at the MGC and is responsible for ensuring the integrity of Massachusetts gaming operations. The IEB has an investigatory side, staffed with members of the Massachusetts State Police Gaming Enforcement Unit and financial investigators, who complete background checks and ongoing suitability determinations on operators, vendors and employees of the gaming establishments. The IEB is a law enforcement agency, with subpoena power and broad investigatory authority to make sure that the people and business entities involved with gaming meet the established standards of integrity, honesty and good character. The IEB also has an enforcement side, staffed with Gaming Agents, who ensure that the Massachusetts casinos are in compliance with all regulations promulgated by the Commission. Additionally, the IEB oversees the MGC’s licensing division.
“Caitlin has been a valued member of the MGC team for a number of years, first in the legal division and recently as interim IEB Director – this experience will help ensure her success as she begins this new role. Her contributions have been essential to the work of the MGC in the regulation and oversight of casino gaming, horse racing, and establishing sports wagering in the Commonwealth, and I know she will continue to meet and surpass our high expectations as a leader of our organization,” said Chair Cathy Judd-Stein.
Much like final interviews for the IEB Director, Commissioners met in a public meeting on Monday March 18 to interview two final candidates for the role of executive director. Following interviews and deliberations, commissioners voted 4-0 to appoint Dean Serpa as executive director of the MGC. Throughout his career, Serpa has served in multiple senior roles throughout Massachusetts state government including leadership roles for the office of Governor Charlie Baker. He currently serves as the chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC).
“I want to thank the commissioners for entrusting me with this important role, and I look forward to joining the committed team at the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. I am passionate about moving projects from inception to competition and working with teams to get things done – I am excited to build on my experience with GPAC as I get started as executive director of the Commission,” said Dean Serpa.
The executive director serves as the executive and administrative head of the MGC and is responsible for administering and enforcing the provisions of the law relative to the commission and each of the agency’s administrative units. The executive director reports to the five-member Commission.
“Dean’s unparalleled operations experience and record of leadership and service to the Commonwealth will allow him to step into the role of executive director and have an immediate impact on the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. His time as chair of the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee will provide him with an essential level of familiarity regarding MGC policies and programs as he begins his tenure,” said Commissioner Eileen O’Brien.
Commissioners Nakisha Skinner (chair) and Brad Hill served on the initial screening committee for the new IEB director and were joined by Chief People and Diversity Officer David Muldrew. Commissioners Eileen O’Brien (chair) and Jordan Maynard served on the initial screening committee for the executive director and were joined by Chief People and Diversity Officer David Muldrew and Chief Financial and Accounting Officer Derek Lennon. Former interim IEB director, Heather Hall, also served on the ED screening committee until she departed the Commission.
Compliance Updates
Delasport Ready for Brazil Expansion
Award-winning iGaming supplier Delasport has just positioned itself as the most progressive supplier to date by meeting the new Brazilian regulation requirements for Sports Betting and Online Casino. The global technology developer has taken all required measures to comply in terms of certifications, Data vault integration, payment providers, KYC, AML, and much more.
Delasport’s team of over 400 experts worldwide are advancing to deliver its renowned products and services to the Brazilian market. They have partnered with GLI (Gaming Laboratories International) – the leading certification lab approved by the Brazilian Ministry of Finance.
So far, Delasport is fully certified against GLI-33 and GLI-19 – the standards that have inspired regulators in Latin America and likely in Brazil. Additionally, the team is in the process of submitting the platform for certification against Brazilian technical standards. Delasport is also advancing rapidly through data quality testing of its integration with the SIGAP Datavault system.
Key Advantages
Operators that plan on entering the newly regulated Brazilian market will have numerous advantages if they partner with Delasport. They will be able to provide their players with personalization features like My Sportsbook, My Event Builder, My Combo, and My Casino that skyrocket revenues and retention.
Furthermore, Delasport’s KYC and AML provider is a market leader that guarantees the highest level of compliance for all operators that choose to go on this route.
Also, Delasport has already partnered with numerous PIX payment system operators and provides a real-time AI-powered Responsible Gambling system which can easily adapt to local regulations.
Another key advantage is the strong relationship with third-party casino suppliers that will soon be able to provide their exciting portfolios to this thrilling jurisdiction.
Last, but not least, operators will feel Delasport’s support from the get-go all the way to establishing themselves as a market leader. Delasport is knowledgeable of the cultural and regional differences within Brazil and can address all localization needs before they arise.
“Delasport stands on a solid foundation of experience, supplying Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 operators in highly regulated markets globally”, the company’s CCO Filippo Ferri comments. ‘This makes Delasport fully equipped to assist operators navigating complex platforms or adapting to modern jurisdictional requirements, such as Brazil’s.’
The supplier’s VP of Business Development Rosaire Galea Cavallaro adds: ‘It’s a great privilege to enter such a vast and exciting market with the confidence that we’ve gained at Delasport throughout the years. We’re looking forward to seeing our product in action in a new territory, achieving and maintaining solid margins for our partners, keeping the record of having double digit margins in sports betting and helping them scale with ease in both verticals to generate maximum revenue for their brands.’
Canada
IAGR announces Toronto as host city for 2025 conference
Hot on the heels of its most attended conference in history, the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) is excited to announce that its 2025 conference will take place in Toronto, Canada, from October 20 to 23, 2025.
The event will be held in partnership with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) at the Westin Harbour Castle, offering stunning waterfront views and a premier, downtown Toronto location.
‘Fresh off the success of our Rome conference, we’re thrilled to continue the momentum with next year’s event in Toronto,’ said Ben Haden, IAGR President.
‘The IAGR 2025 conference promises to be another unparalleled opportunity for our global community to come together, collaborate and shape the future of gaming regulation. We’re looking forward to working with AGCO to bring it all together.’
AGCO CEO and Registrar Dr. Karin Schnarr, added, ‘We’re excited to welcome IAGR and its members to Toronto. This partnership provides a great opportunity to share Ontario’s innovative regulatory practices and foster meaningful discussions that drive positive change in the industry.’
Stay tuned for registration details early next year.
Compliance Updates
Aristocrat Awarded First Gaming-Related Vendor License from GCGRA
Aristocrat announced that the company was the first international slot and online technology company to be granted a Gaming-Related Vendor license by The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the federal entity overseeing commercial gaming activities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This announcement grants Aristocrat the ability to provide the company’s land-based electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and online games and technology solutions to commercial gaming operators licensed by the GCGRA. The issuance of the license marks a new milestone in the GCGRA’s endeavour to establish a well-regulated commercial gaming sector in the market.
As a leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of regulated land-based slot games, Aristocrat will operate under the “Gaming Related Vendor License” category. As the GCGRA’s first supplier to obtain the license, the company will offer world-class gaming content, hardware, and services to cater to player interests and financial preferences.
“We are honored to be the first large, international technology provider to be awarded a gaming-related vendor license to serve the UAE market. At Aristocrat, our vision is to deliver the best seat in the house wherever, and whenever the world plays. We look forward to doing so by providing premium content for players in the UAE while simultaneously encouraging responsible gameplay,” said Hector Fernandez, CEO, Gaming for Aristocrat.
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