Exclusive interview with Karen Sierra-Hughes, GLI Director of Latin America and Caribbean Government Relations and Business Development

"We expect the impact of the NMi acquisition at G2E to be very positive"

2017-09-19
Reading time 2:46 min
Gaming Laboratories International will showcase its certification and testing services during this year's edition of Global Gaming Expo, taking place in Las Vegas on October 3 - 5.

How are you gearing up for G2E Las Vegas?

One interesting aspect of our business at GLI is that technology never stops advancing, and that means regulators, suppliers, and operators worldwide are continually adapting to new technologies – getting a feel for them, gauging market reaction, assessing how they might fit into their current and future plans. So in a way, we are continually preparing for G2E because we are in constant contact with regulators, operators, and suppliers about new technologies, many of which will be on display at G2E. At the show itself, representatives from each of our global offices will be in attendance so our clients can benefit of the most accurate and current information on the jurisdictions they are planning to enter. We can also host clients and regulators in our Las Vegas lab, giving them an up-close look at the work we do.

What impact do you think the acquisition of NMi Gaming will have on the industry?

The reaction to GLI's acquisition of NMi Gaming has been very positive from regulators, suppliers, and operators. NMi Gaming's clients instantly benefitted from the acquisition because they were able to take advantage of GLI’s global reach and accreditation in 475 jurisdictions. Plus, GLI’s clients benefitted because GLI’s labs were able to provide even greater levels of service and attention. So we expect the impact of the acquisition at G2E to be very positive.

What new jurisdictions have you started working on this year? How would you describe the work carried out in each of them?

Speaking specifically to our work in the LatAm and Caribbean region and from a regulatory standpoint, we have been focusing on policy development in new jurisdictions and on regulatory development. We have also been conducting training for regulators through our GLI University program. Along with that, regulators have had a great deal of interest in our field inspection training for those jurisdictions where there are gaming regulations already established. From the supplier standpoint, and as a direct consequence of the regulatory developments, we offer our online gaming and sports betting certification and security audit services to our LatAm and Caribbean supplier clients. This compliance process is now allowing these clients to expand operations in jurisdictions outside of the region, and we are happy to be part of this important progress.

What can you tell us about 10th edition of the Roundtable of Regulators of Government Games and Lotteries in Latin America and the Caribbean, to be held on October 9 -10 at the Radisson Decapolis Hotel in Panama City? How will you articulate this event with the one organized by Cibelae?

Learning, collaboration, and strategy are the three areas of focus for our 10th annual Latin American and Caribbean Regulators Roundtable. We are planning a two-day, educational event exclusively for gaming and lottery regulators and government lotteries. The Roundtable takes place Oct. 9 and 10 in Panama City, Panama, and we will discuss a variety of relevant gaming and lottery topics. Space is limited, so we encourage attendees to register today at gaminglabs.com/events/latamcaribbeanroundtable2017.

GLI is an associate member of CIBELAE. With their permission, we set the location to coincide with the week of their Biannual conference. While our Roundtable take place the 9th and 10th, the CIBELAE conference takes place October 11, 12 and 13. This will allow for our usual attendees to participate in both events in one trip in the case of the Government Lotteries that are members of CIBELAE; and will also provide the option to Government Lotteries that are not members of CIBELAE to attend their conference.

What will be the main challenges for GLi next year?

We believe challenges also create opportunities. We believe that the continued interest on the online gaming legalization and new technologies will represent challenges and changes to the regulatory landscape. GLI will once again demonstrate to our supplier and regulators clients that we have the expertise, resources and understanding of their local needs and culture to support them in reaching their goals and objectives as the gaming landscape changes.

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