Since it was founded in 1980, the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) has provided a relevant, collaborative forum for discussing key issues that affect global gaming today. Supported by a membership that includes the industry’s leading attorneys, senior executives, financial advisors, regulators, consultants, and academics, IAGA hosts numerous conferences and special events each year where attendees participate in rich discussion about industry topics and trends, benefit from valuable networking opportunities, and gain vital education.

We caught up with IAGA Executive Director Kirsten Clark to learn more about the company, benefits of being an IAGA member, her favorite parts of G2E, and much more.

Tell us a little bit about IAGA (International Association of Gaming Advisors).
Originally established as the National Association of Gaming Attorneys (NAGA), IAGA was founded in 1980 in Nevada by several notable gaming attorneys to create an association that would “unite in common organization those professionally engaged in the gaming industry, to facilitate negotiations in the gaming industry and protect and promote the mutual interests of the corporation’s members and to promote and encourage education in the gaming industry.” The association soon drew the attention of gaming attorneys beyond Nevada who likewise wanted to support a forum where industry legal issues could be addressed, and NAGA’s membership quickly grew to include attorneys not only from the United States but also from the United Kingdom, France, and other international areas where gaming was legally regulated. As a result, and to recognize the organization’s growing international membership, in 1985 NAGA evolved into the International Association of Gaming Attorneys (IAGA) and held its first international conference in Monte Carlo.

As the organization’s annual conferences expanded beyond Europe to Australia, Canada, and the Caribbean, reflecting the globalization of the gaming industry and the increased international representation of its membership, the issues and strategies considered by IAGA began to require more than just legal expertise. The organization’s educational and networking events actively began including professionals from the gaming industry’s financial and operational segments. And, to better reflect the expanded focus of the topics being addressed, in 2007 IAGA’s name was changed to the International Association of Gaming Advisors. Its membership has since expanded to include not just gaming attorneys, but a wide range of industry financial experts, casino executives, regulators, consultants and educators from around the world.

Together, the industry experts that make up IAGA today meet throughout the year to discuss the key issues affecting global gaming. The organization and its members also actively participate in a wide range of activities focused on expanding the expertise and professionalism of the gaming industry, and encourage ongoing collaboration between the industry’s legal, finance, operational, educational, and regulatory advisors. As such, our members are regularly engaged in shaping the future of the industry and, through our conferences and collaborative opportunities, all members gain access to the collective heartbeat of the business.

What are four words you would use to describe IAGA?
Relevant, compelling, valuable, collaborative.

What are the benefits of being a member of IAGA?
IAGA provides a relevant, collaborative forum for discussing key issues affecting global gaming today. We’re proud to have members from all industry segments, and our longstanding supporters include a broad array of industry attorneys, senior executives, financial advisors, regulators, consultants, and academics who meet throughout the year to discuss the future of gaming. Other membership benefits include:

• Our annual International Gaming Summit provides gaming industry executives with an opportunity to discuss relevant topics facing the industry, network, and obtain continuing education credits.
• IAGA and our members support all facets of gaming education, contributing regularly with publications, conferences, and teaching, while offering additional opportunities for expanding gaming knowledge through programs like our annual ‘Shannon Bybee Scholarship’ that promotes and furthers the study of gaming law.
• IAGA’s prestigious members and their wealth of knowledge, experience, and achievement are an excellent resource, as IAGA members are actively involved in the development, operation, and
  evolution of regulated gaming worldwide.
• We host multiple seminars and other networking opportunities at several of the
  major global gaming conferences each year.

Can you give a brief overview of your career and what led you to where you are today?
Sure: my background includes pretty extensive senior management, public relations, marketing, and strategic communication experience. Prior to joining IAGA, I was Senior Vice President and COO—Asia for Gaming Partners International (GPI), where I was responsible for the company’s AsiaPac operations while overseeing its global marketing and product/project management divisions. Before GPI, I was responsible for global marketing, PR, and events management for Shuffle Master, Inc. As Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, I worked directly with our executive team to shape the company’s corporate and strategic messages across all channels while serving on the Corporate Product Group responsible for defining global product strategy.

IAGA approached me several years ago to gauge my interest in leveraging my experience to help them run the association, and I’ve been with them ever since. It’s been great to get the opportunity to use my experience to help IAGA progress and expand its support of the industry.

What is your favorite part of your job and why?
Interacting with such a diverse group of industry executives and getting to learn about so many different issues facing global gaming. I feel incredibly fortunate to get to expand my knowledge by working with so many of the individuals who are driving change and innovation.

How do you work with all segments of the gaming industry (eg., casinos, sports books, iGaming, lottery, etc.)?
We believe that when discussing the issues facing gaming, it’s critical to examine and consider the viewpoints and perspectives of all related segments. So, we routinely reach out to individuals across all segments to encourage their participation so that when we are discussing a particular topic on a panel, we are giving the most complete picture possible.

What are your most memorable moments from a G2E show?
Well, since I started in the industry running global marketing for Shuffle Master (now part of Scientific Games), it’s hard to separate G2E now from the long, long hours spent standing around a noisy and very busy booth! But, for IAGA, the most memorable moments are all centered around the various topics we discuss each year. It’s great to be a part of an association that brings such vital, relevant discussions to the conference and has the true thought leaders discussing each topic. I learn so much each year and am constantly amazed by how much more there is to learn about gaming!

What are the big topics that IAGA focused on at G2E 2019?
The recent Department of Justice revised opinion on the Wire Act; recent gaming advertising restrictions and the first amendment; the latest in financial crime and risk detection and prevention, among others.

What were your favorite topics of discussion for G2E 2019?
Sports betting expansion, the DOJ opinion, next gen technology.