The International Association of Gaming Advisors (“IAGA”) is delighted to host the 40^th annual International Gaming Summit at the Culloden Estate and Spa in Belfast, Northern Ireland from 20 to 22 June 2023. The Summit is understood to be the first such event held in Northern Ireland and has been warmly welcomed by Visit Belfast and Tourist Northern Ireland.

As a silver sponsor, Harris Hagan proudly continues its long association with IAGA, which includes Julian Harris and John Hagan serving as President in 2013 and 2019/2020, respectively, and Bahar Alaeddini serving as General Counsel and Co-Chair of the Conference Programme Committee. It is without hesitation, therefore, that this Summit is commended to readers not least for the excellent quality of the content and networking events.

Partners, John and Bahar will moderate the following panels:

What’s Happening in the Republic of Ireland

Moderator: John Hagan

Panellists: Sharon Byrne, Chairperson, Irish Bookmakers Association; Rob Corbet, Partner, Arthur Cox; Micaela Diver, Partner, A&L Goodbody; Mark O’Neill, CFO, BoyleSports.

The Current State of Industry M&A

Moderator: Bahar Alaeddini

Panellists: Leon Ferera, Partner, Jones Day; Paul Richardson, Partner, Partis Solutions; Sonia Vermeys, Shareholder, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck; Daniel Vyravipillai, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley Investment Banking Division.

John will also host a fireside chat with Nigel Eccles, CEO of Co-Founder of Vault Labs.  Amongst other accomplishments, Nigel also co-founded FanDuel in 2009 and Flick in 2018.

The first day of the Summit will conclude with the following panel on the White Paper:

The Long-Awaited White Paper on Gambling Reform in Britain

Moderator: Dan Waugh, Partner, Regulus Partners

Panellists: Antony Gevisser, Senior Vice President – Legal & Operational Affairs, Super Group; Andrew Herd, Managing Director, Lancashire Court Capital Ltd; Wes Himes, Executive Director, Betting & Gaming Council; Helen Rhodes, Director of Major Projects, British Gambling Commission.

Each day of the conference will be followed by high-quality social events featuring regional cuisine and the warm hospitality for which Ireland is so well known. This year’s President’s reception and dinner is being hosted at Hillsborough Castle, the British Royal Family’s residence, on the 22 June 2023.  Optional social events have also been organised for 19 June 2023, including a golf tournament at Portstewart Golf Club, whiskey tasting at Bushmills Distillery and a tour of the Northern Ireland coast.

Please feel free to contact us if you would like to know more about IAGA’s work, membership and/or the Summit.  We very much hope that you can join us there!