Top-level speaker line-up for KPMG eGaming Summit

Key figures from operators, service providers, international bodies and local Government will attend, by invitation, to consider and debate some of the substantial changes of the last year and the outlook for the next twelve months.  In addition to participants from across Europe, speakers will also be visiting from as far afield as Canada and Tel Aviv.

The day will be split into two parts, as in previous years, with the morning focused on Gibraltar matters, and the afternoon looking at the global picture for the sector. Mike Harvey, Director of KPMG Gibraltar, expressed his excitement regarding the morning sessions: “We will open the day with the same key speakers as 2012, because they can provide such an authoritative update on the state of Gibraltar’s sector.  We start with an introduction by the Hon. Gilbert Licudi QC, followed by a regulator update from Phill Brear, Gibraltar’s Head of Gambling Regulation. 

This year, Brear will particularly focus on social gaming, a hot topic in the sector, and particularly locally, in light of recent developments with 888 Holdings and Gamesys. Legal firm DLA Piper are then delivering a panel of European experts on ‘the evolution of remote gambling regulation’ - this will give the audience a good insight into key European jurisdictions before we widen out to a pan-European view and, in particular, the role of the EU Commission in shaping the regulatory landscape for Europe.”

By contrast, the afternoon session will broaden its focus to cover issues relating to the wider gaming marketplace.  Russell Kelly, Director in charge of eGaming Services for KPMG, commented: “The afternoon sessions are for thinking more strategically about matters pertinent to operators everywhere.  We start with two sessions by service providers, with Stuart Ballan of Counting House looking at ‘the future of payments’, followed by the insights of Michael Tobin, co-founder and CEO of Continent 8 Technologies, and a long-time industry player. This will be followed by Sue Rossiter of the RGA and Simon Trussler of KPMG on the topic of ‘unintended consequences – the pitfalls of gross profit taxation and similar economic strategies’, before a final panel session on ‘the outlook for gaming’, which will include some key local figures, ably moderated by Peter Montegriffo of Hassans.”

“It is certainly an interesting time to be meeting,” commented Archie Watt, Head of eGaming for KPMG. “The GBGA’s recent appeal to the UK’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport to call off its plans for additional licensing and point-of-consumption taxation has been backed by a warning that they are prepared for a legal challenge, and Malta has already filed a complaint with the European Commission, so that matter is coming to a head.”

Attendance has been capped at 140 delegates for the event, with demand for spaces likely to be extremely high.  Summit organiser Micky Swindale, Associate Director, KPMG, commented on the event: “The levels of interest we had even before the invites were sent out indicate that this conference has become one of the most anticipated events of the annual eGaming calendar in Gibraltar, and with good reason.  It is a rare opportunity to draw together all of the key local decision makers from industry and Government, along with international commentators and service providers to the sector, and really focus on the big issues.”