IAGR Celebrates Global Regulators for Trailblazing Player Safety and Governance
With a flourish of innovation and a nod to responsibility, the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) unveiled the champions of its 2025 International Regulatory Awards.
Held amid the vibrant buzz of Toronto’s IAGR conference, the event toasted regulators from Australia, Nigeria, and Denmark for their audacious strides in reshaping gambling oversight with sharper transparency, ironclad governance, and unwavering player protection.
From casino overhauls to self-exclusion breakthroughs and youth-focused campaigns, these regulators are rewriting the rulebook for what it means to keep the gaming world fair and safe. IAGR President Ben Haden, a discerning voice on the judging panel, praised the winners for their tangible, lasting impact.
“Our judges looked for clear problem definitions, robust interventions and evidence of impact. The 2025 winners show how thoughtful reforms, strong governance and targeted education can improve consumer protection and market integrity over the long term,” Haden said.
Australia’s NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) snatched the Regulatory Excellence Award for its gritty, three-year transformation of Crown Sydney post-Bergin Inquiry. The NICC didn’t just tweak the system—they gutted it, banning junkets, tightening financial crime defenses, bolstering harm-minimization efforts, and rewiring governance from the ground up.
“The NSW Independent Casino Commission is proud to be recognised for its dedication to restoring the expected standards at Crown Sydney,” said Murray Smith, Acting Chief Commissioner of the NSW Independent Casino Commission. “This has included three years of intense remediation, which has completely transformed the casino’s governance, culture, safety, and compliance functions.”
“The NICC has proven that it is possible to enact long-lasting change and in doing so has set a new standard for Australian casino operations,” Smith added.
Nigeria’s Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) clinched the Regulatory Innovation Award for SAFEPLAY, a groundbreaking, regulator-driven self-exclusion platform—the first of its kind in Africa. Seamlessly linking operators under one system, SAFEPLAY sets a gold standard for player protection with a model that’s as replicable as it is revolutionary.
“We are honoured to receive the IAGR Regulatory Innovation Award for our SafePlay initiative. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to responsible gambling, player protection, and data-driven regulation that puts the welfare of Lagos residents at the heart of our innovation,” said Bashir A. Are, Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority.
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The Danish Gambling Authority (DGA) nabbed the Best Regulatory Campaign Award for its dynamic, school-based program that’s flipping the script on youth gambling attitudes. Through interactive demos and surveys, the campaign has shifted mindsets from chasing quick cash to understanding the risks and knowing where to find help. It’s the DGA’s second year in a row snagging this honor. IAGR Regulatory Awards
“I’m very proud that IAGR has bestowed The Danish Gambling Authority with this award. It’s crucial that young people understand that gambling is designed so that the player always loses in the long run. By conveying this message, we hope to promote a balanced attitude toward gambling, and I’m extremely honoured that our efforts are recognised internationally,” said Anders Dorph, Director of the Danish Gambling Authority.
The 2025 IAGR Awards didn’t just shine a light—they ignited a spark, showcasing how bold governance, responsible gambling efforts, and education can forge a safer, fairer gaming landscape across the globe.
