Brendan Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of AUSTRAC, will be a featured speaker at the 2025 edition of the Regulating the Game 2025 conference. The Australian event, focused on gambling law and regulation, will take place at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour from 10-13 March 2025.
Thomas, who began his 5-year term as CEO of the Australian financial watchdog in January 2024, brings extensive experience in leading public services and delivering reforms, particularly within NSW’s criminal and civil justice systems.
As the head of Australia’s financial intelligence unit and AML/CTF regulator, he oversees AUSTRAC’s efforts to safeguard the financial sector from criminal exploitation while providing critical intelligence to support national security, law enforcement, and regulatory partners.
As of late, AUSTRAC has intensified its focus on the gambling sector, following a series of high-profile enforcement actions against major casino operators and several corporate bookmakers.
Reports in the Financial Review have also highlighted AUSTRAC’s increased scrutiny of pubs and clubs in the wake of the 2022 NSW Crime Commission’s Project Islington, which, while finding no widespread laundering of criminal proceeds, revealed significant amounts of illicit funds being gambled in these venues.
Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch and organizer of Regulating the Game, commented: “Having Brendan Thomas speak at the conference signals AUSTRAC’s ongoing commitment to the gambling sector. His participation emphasizes the importance of making sure the industry is alert to money laundering risks and continually strengthened against financial crime.”
Regulating the Game organizers noted that Thomas’ presentation will offer insights for regulators, industry leaders, and key stakeholders, especially as AUSTRAC’s role in combatting financial crime is set to expand further with the anticipated passing of the Government’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill 2024.
This legislation aims to extend the AML/CTF regime to high-risk professions, such as real estate agents, lawyers, accountants, and dealers in precious metals and stones, marking a pivotal shift in Australia’s regulatory landscape.
Regulating the Game is a flagship conference that brings together experts, regulators, and industry professionals to foster critical discussions, address regulatory challenges, and drive innovation for effective gambling regulation.
Interested parties can visit the event’s website to register or contact the organizing team for more information about exhibiting, sponsorship opportunities, or applying to speak at Pitch!
Last month, Regulating the Game confirmed Dr. Marla Royne Stafford as the first Conference Chair for its 2025 edition. Dr. Stafford, a Professor of Marketing at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) and a recognized authority on responsible gambling, will chair one of the conference days.
In her role, she will guide discussions, introduce key speakers, and help steer the conversation on key issues in the gambling sector, including policy, leadership, and emerging technologies.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/noticias/2024/10/03/80764-regulating-the-game-confirms-austrac-ceo-brendan-thomas-as-featured-speaker
