2025: THE INAUGURAL YEAR
IAG and PAGCOR were delighted to host the first ever The Regulators Forum on Thursday, 11 September 2025 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Newport World Resorts, Manila. Below is a historical account of the day’s proceedings.
SECRETARY’S WELCOME MESSAGE
Welcome to the inaugural “Regulators Forum”. Inside Asian Gaming is delighted to be working with PAGCOR and Newport World Resorts in presenting this event. With the move of the IAG Academy Summit from the smaller Hilton Ballroom in 2023 and 2024 to the expanses of the Marriott Grand Ballroom in 2025 as part of the wider IAG EXPO, the opportunity presented to extend IAG’s residence in the Marriott Grand Ballroom for an extra day, this allowing for the creation of this Regulators Forum.
I’d like to offer my very warm thanks not only to PAGCOR and its visionary Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco for initially approaching IAG to create today’s event, but also to Newport World Resorts and in particular Chairman Kevin Tan, for providing the venue and necessary logistical support.
As gaming continues to develop across the Asia-Pacific region, the need for regulators from different jurisdictions in the region to share information and build connections grows ever-greater. Today’s event is just a “toe in the water” in this regard, and we hope this Regulators Forum becomes an annual event, continuing to grow alongside the IAG EXPO in the years to come. I know both IAG and Newport World Resorts are highly committed to supporting PAGCOR in this very noble endeavor.
Andrew W Scott
Secretariat, Regulators Forum
Vice Chairman and CEO, Inside Asian Gaming
PROGRAM (First morning session)
| Time | Style | Title | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:30-10:00 (30 mins) |
WELCOME NETWORKING COFFEE AND REGISTRATION | ||
| 10:00-10:05 (5 mins) |
Remarks | SECRETARY’S WELCOME | ANDREW W SCOTT Vice Chairman and CEO Inside Asian Gaming |
| 10:05-10:25 (20 mins) |
Keynote | KEYNOTE SPEECH Appointed Chairman and CEO of PAGCOR in August 2022, Alejandro Tengco has spent the past three years preparing a comprehensive overhaul of the Philippine gaming regulator. Hear his thoughts on the reasons for creating an APAC regulators forum, and his hopes for this forum for the future. |
ALEJANDRO H. TENGCO Chairman and CEO Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) |
| 10:25-11:05 (40 mins) |
Presentation | FROM RELUCTANCE TO RESOLUTENESS: HOW SINGAPORE TURNED CASINO LIBERALISATION INTO A GLOBAL BENCHMARK FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING
This presentation traces Singapore’s two-decade journey from an avowedly gambling-averse nation to the international gold standard for responsible gambling regulation. It explains how the city-state balanced moral anxiety against economic necessity, embedded multi-layered safeguards into law, and built an adaptive ecosystem of research, education, treatment and enforcement. It provides practical take-aways for jurisdictions now weighing casino legalisation, underscoring that economic vibrancy and social protection are not mutually exclusive. |
LAU KOK KENG Partner, Head of Gaming Law Rajah & Tann Asia |
| 11:05-11:25 (20 mins) |
MORNING NETWORKING COFFEE |
PROGRAM (Second morning session)
| Time | Style | Title | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:25-12:05 (40 mins) |
Presentation and fireside discussion | COMPLIANCE COLLAPSE: HOW CROWN AND THE STAR SQUANDERED TRUST AND BECKONED OVERREACH
From endemic under-regulation, secured by political capture and enabling hubris and misconduct, to today’s crippling wave of regulatory overreach. When regulators swagger and celebrate inspection tallies and frame all gambling as inherently harmful, we drift into perilous territory. Overregulation risks displacing consumers to the black market, and erasing the wonder of what casinos at their best should be: the excitement, noise and spectacle of entertainment and hospitality done right. |
PAUL NEWSON Managing Director Regulating the GameIn discussion with ANDREW W SCOTT Vice Chairman and CEO Inside Asian Gaming |
| 12:05-12:35 (30 mins) |
Presentation | GAMING EDUCATION: ADAPTING TO EVOLVING CHALLENGES
The session explores how comprehensive gaming education can serve as a proactive regulatory tool to reinforce responsible gaming practices, enhance anti-money laundering (AML) measures, and address other critical concerns within the gaming industry. In specific instances, we examine key influences and propose actionable strategies that regulators can adopt to drive meaningful and sustainable improvements across the gaming sector. |
DR ANGELITO J DOMINGO Vice President Human Resource and Development Group PAGCOR |
| 12:35-13:15 (40 mins) |
Panel | RAPIDLY EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR REGULATORS
The Asia-Pacific gaming industry has become a hotbed of innovation, with new technologies emerging at a rapid rate and regulators increasingly needing to pivot to stay in touch. In this fascinating session, leading industry figures at the coalface of the technological revolution provide insights into how they are looking to transform casino floors and how regulators can stay ahead of the curve to achieve positive outcomes for all stakeholders. |
ANDREW W SCOTT (moderator) Vice Chairman and CEO Inside Asian GamingBRYAN JENKINS Managing Director Angel Australasia Pty LtdVINEET MALHOTRA VP Technical Services and Compliance, Asia BMM TestlabsPAULO DA SILVA Regulatory Development Manager GLI Asia Pacific |
| 13:15-14:30 (75 mins) |
NETWORKING LUNCH |
PROGRAM (Afternoon sessions)
| Time | Style | Title | Speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14:30-15:30 (60 mins) |
Workshop | GLI WORKSHOP
Presented by GLI Asia Pacific Managing Director Richard Howarth and Regulatory Development Manager Paulo Da Silva, this workshop will include a detailed presentation followed by an extensive Q&A session. The presentation will include discussion of the benefits of a regulated wagering market, the importance of global standards to ensure efficient regulation, and the intersection of responsible gambling and regulation. The economic benefits of a regulated wagering market will be highlighted. The workshop will also include a specific focus on igaming both in the Asia-Pacific region and globally. |
RICHARD HOWARTH Managing Director GLI Asia PacificPAULO DA SILVA Regulatory Development Manager GLI Asia Pacific |
| 15:30-15:50 (20 mins) |
AFTERNOON NETWORKING COFFEE | ||
| 15:50-16:50 (60 mins) |
Workshop | BMM WORKSHOP
The session will focus on BMM’s role in the regulated gaming markets, its collaboration with regulators and the challenges test laboratories face in today’s evolving environment. The presentation will highlight the importance of keeping pace with global technical advancements while ensuring compliance with the specific needs and requirements of individual markets. Additionally, the presentation will encompass the expansion of iGaming markets worldwide. |
JEFFREY FONG VP Business Development, Asia BMM TestlabsVINEET MALHOTRA VP Technical Services and Compliance, Asia BMM Testlabs |
| 16:50-17:00 (10 mins) |
Remarks | SECRETARY’S CLOSE AND 2026 DISCUSSION
Closing comments and a brief discussion with the audience on the evolution of this Regulators Forum for 2026. |
ANDREW W SCOTT Vice Chairman and CEO Inside Asian Gaming |
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
ALEJANDRO H. TENGCO
Chairman and CEO
PAGCOR
- 10:05-10:25 (20 mins) KEYNOTE SPEECH
Alejandro H. Tengco has served as Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) since August 2022. Prior to his government appointment, he was President and CEO of Nationstar Development Corporation, a construction firm recognized for projects like the National Museum of Natural History renovation. He also held leadership roles in the food and real estate sectors and previously headed the government affairs group at PLDT.
A product of Jesuit education, Chairman Tengco studied at Ateneo de Manila University from grade school through postgraduate studies. He earned a degree in Business Management in 1982 and pursued law at Ateneo Law School until 1984.
As PAGCOR chief, Chairman Tengco has led transformative reforms aimed at modernizing the gaming industry, enhancing transparency, and increasing revenues. His leadership has helped reposition PAGCOR as a key driver of national development and a more attractive destination for global investment.
DR. ANGELITO J. DOMINGO
Vice President Human Resource and Development Group PAGCOR
- 12:05-12:35 (30 mins) GAMING EDUCATION: ADAPTING TO EVOLVING CHALLENGES
Dr. Domingo is currently the Vice President of the Human Resource and Development Group (HRDG) at the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), while also serving as a Senior Faculty Member at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business, teaching in the Master in Entrepreneurship program since 2012. Previously, he was Industrial Estate Administrator for the Sta. Maria Industrial Park under RAMCAR Group, and held senior HR roles at RAMCAR – Battery Group and the Asian Institute of Management. He brings over 20 years of leadership experience in HR and operations, complemented by eight years of military service in the Philippine Army.
As a consultant and facilitator, Dr. Domingo has worked with organizations such as World Bank, USAID, Philip Morris, ICTSI, and Cera Ace Co. Ltd. (Japan), with recent engagements including DMCI, Sterling Paper Inc., Miriam College, Piandré Group, and Seven A.D. Advertising Agency, focusing on training, performance management, and strategic planning.
Dr. Domingo holds an Executive Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the Development Academy of the Philippines, where his dissertation focused on Democratizing Entrepreneurship Education and Development in the Philippines. He also earned his Master’s in Business Management from the Asian Institute of Management, and is a proud graduate of the Philippine Military Academy.
JEFFREY FONG
Vice President, Business Development, Asia
BMM Testlabs
- 15:50-16:50 (60 mins) BMM WORKSHOP
Jeffrey Fong has been with BMM for over six years, currently serving as Vice President of Business Development for Asia. In this capacity, he oversees the strategic planning and implementation of business initiatives tailored to meet regional objectives. His role focuses on enhancing customer support and service offerings within the rapidly evolving Asian gaming market.
With 15 years of diverse experience in gaming and hospitality across Asia and the U.S., Jeffrey has held various roles, including sales leader, head of business analysis and project director. His expertise in business development and strategic planning, combined with substantial experience in both iGaming and land-based gaming operations and regulations, equips him to navigate the complexities of the industry.
RICHARD HOWARTH
Managing Director
GLI Asia Pacific
- 14:30-15:30 (60 mins) GLI WORKSHOP
Richard Howarth is the Managing Director at Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), a global leader in independent gaming testing, technical consulting, compliance assessment, and regulator training services. With a career spanning over two decades across sales, marketing, and commercial leadership, Richard brings a wealth of expertise to his role at GLI, where he oversees strategic business development for the APAC Region, including Australia, New Zealand, Macao, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, and Cambodia. His focus is on fostering relationships with suppliers, operators, regulators, and industry bodies, and ensuring alignment with delivery teams to meet the standards and expectations of the global gaming industry.
Before joining GLI in December 2023, Richard held leadership roles across diverse industries, including gaming, hospitality, telecommunications, and technology. This included roles with IXUP Limited, Tattersall’s Group, Sportingbet, and The Star Entertainment Group, where he built a track record of driving substantial growth that solidified his reputation as a results-oriented leader in high-stakes industries. He also held prominent positions at Telstra, the Australian Defence Force, and Coca-Cola, where he honed his expertise in strategic sales and commercial marketing.
Richard holds an MBA from the University of Technology Sydney and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Business (Marketing) and Arts (Psychology, Sociology) from Monash University in Melbourne. A committed industry leader and advocate, he is also active in community initiatives, serving as a Crisis Support Volunteer at Lifeline.
BRYAN JENKINS
Managing Director
Angel Australasia Pty Ltd
- 12:35-13:15 (40 mins) RAPIDLY EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR REGULATORS
Bryan has been with the Angel Group in the live table gaming casino equipment supply business for more than 25 years now, including roles as CEO of Angel Singapore PL and currently as Managing Director of Angel Australasia PL. His experience in the Philippine market is extensive and he is proud to have been associated with the support of casino IRs throughout the country.
Angel Group is dedicated to innovation as seen most recently in the development and distribution of Smart Table technology throughout Australasia and Southeast Asia.
Angel’s smart table focus is on what we refer to as “AI Capture”, our proprietary video assisted AI solution. The AI Capture base is the launch pad for opportunities to expand smart table applications through software development. AI Capture future proofs Angel’s ability to innovate for table games beyond baccarat including roulette, sic-bo, blackjack and poker derivative games.
AI Capture operates seamlessly with RFID technology for float and chip inventory and of course the Super Angel Eye for game result data. Combine that with our Chip Validation and Counting System for chip inventory management and our Table Management System provides a comprehensive solution to a truly smart table environment.
LAU KOK KENG
Partner, Head of Gaming Law
Rajah & Tann Asia
- 10:25-11:10 (40 mins) FROM RELUCTANCE TO RESOLUTENESS: HOW SINGAPORE TURNED CASINO LIBERALISATION INTO A GLOBAL BENCHMARK FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING
Lau Kok Keng leads the Gaming Law practice of Rajah & Tann, a top tier law firm in Singapore with offices all over Southeast Asia. He is a member of the International Masters of Gaming Law and is recognized as a leading gaming lawyer by Chambers Asia- Pacific (Tier 1) and Who’s Who Legal (Global Elite Thought Leader in Gaming).
Since 2001, Kok Keng has been actively involved in representing and advising clients in the gambling industry. His practice is arguably the most experienced and extensive gambling law practice in Singapore. In recent times, Kok Keng has been advising various offshore internet gambling operators, support service providers and land/ship-based casino operators on navigating gambling law licensing requirements and prohibitions.
He has also provided expert opinion on casino junket activities, money laundering and probity laws as part of an inquiry by an Australian State Gaming Authority, and advised on the enforceability of gaming debts and the conduct of international marketing activities for leading Australian, Macau and Vietnamese casinos. Kok Keng was one of the three presenters at the Thai Entertainment Complex Roundtable (TECR) event which was held in Bangkok on 5 June 2025.
VINEET MALHOTRA
Vice President Technical Services and Compliance, Asia
BMM Testlabs
- 12:35-13:15 (40 mins) RAPIDLY EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR REGULATORS
- 15:50-16:50 (60 mins) BMM WORKSHOP
Vineet Malhotra has been with BMM since 2006, starting as a Systems Consultant and advancing through several leadership roles. As Vice President of Technical Services and Compliance for Asia, he leads BMM’s technical teams in the region and oversees compliance with all relevant technical standards and regulations in both land-based and iGaming domains. With 17 years of experience supporting BMM’s operations in Asia, Vineet is recognized as a subject-matter expert in technical compliance and a key driver of the company’s success in the Asia-Pacific gaming market.
PAUL NEWSON
Principal
Vanguard Overwatch
- 11:25-12:05 (40 mins) COMPLIANCE COLLAPSE: HOW CROWN AND THE STAR SQUANDERED TRUST AND BECKONED OVERREACH
Paul Newson is Principal at Vanguard Overwatch, a specialist advisory firm focused on advancing gambling policy and regulatory excellence, strengthening industry capability, and guiding clients through complex regulatory environments. Paul is also the founder of the Regulating the Game conference, held annually in Sydney. A former Deputy Secretary in the NSW Department of Industry, Paul led public policy and regulation for liquor, gambling and racing in New South Wales. He is a patron and past president of the International Association of Gaming Regulators, and a former trustee of the NSW Responsible Gambling Fund.
Paul holds degrees in Arts (Politics) and Law, as well as a Master of Legal Studies and a Master of Law and Management. Earlier in his career, Paul also held a senior management role at AUSTRAC during its assumption of the AML/CTF regulatory function. Paul is also a graduate of the Executive Development Program – Confronting Challenges and Embracing Opportunities: Strategic Leadership in the Gaming Industry, a joint initiative of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas International Gaming Institute and the University of Nevada, Reno.
ANDREW W SCOTT
Vice Chairman and CEO, Inside Asian Gaming
Chief Executive Officer, Complete Media Group
- 10:00-10:05 (5 mins) SECRETARY’S WELCOME
- 11:25-12:05 (40 mins) COMPLIANCE COLLAPSE: HOW CROWN AND THE STAR SQUANDERED TRUST AND BECKONED OVERREACH (in discussion with PAUL NEWSON)
- 12:35-13:15 (40 mins) RAPIDLY EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR REGULATORS (moderator)
- 16:50-17:00 (10 mins) SECRETARY’S CLOSE AND 2026 DISCUSSION
Andrew is a media publisher, commentator and journalist in Hong Kong since 2005 and Macau since 2009. With vast casino, blackjack and poker experience, visiting over 200 casinos in the last 39 years, Andrew regularly appears on television as an industry commentator and was 2014 Macau Person of the Year. He has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Science (International Integrated Resort Management) with Honours. He has been involved in gaming related media since 2005, been CEO of Inside Asian Gaming (IAG) since 2015, and from 1 January 2025 became CEO of Complete Media Group, the parent company of IAG and US-based gaming media brand CDC Gaming.
Andrew is a member of the Macau Gaming Management Association, the International Federation of Journalists, the Portuguese and English Press Association of Macau, and the Melbourne Cricket Club, as well as being a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Directors, and a former Vice Chairman of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Macau.
PAULO DA SILVA
Regulatory Development Manager
GLI Asia Pacific
- 12:35-13:15 (40 mins) RAPIDLY EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR REGULATORS
- 14:30-15:30 (60 mins) GLI WORKSHOP
Paulo Batalha Da Silva is the Regulatory Development Manager of Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), where he oversees the regulatory development business of GLI in the Asia Pacific region. He is responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with gaming regulators and government agencies across the APAC region, particularly in Macau, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. In this role, he provides jurisdictional consultation and regulatory advisory services, while also monitoring legislative and regulatory developments to ensure alignment with evolving compliance standards.
Paulo brings over 15 years of industry experience in the gaming and technology sectors, with a proven track record in regulatory affairs, legal compliance, sales, and business development. Prior to joining GLI, he served with APE, Konami, Jumbo, Spintes, IDX Games, Pacific Intellectuals Alliance and Laxino Systems Limited (Macau). He maintained accounts with MGM Macau, Wynn Macau, Sands Group, SJM, Melco, Resorts World Genting, Solaire Resorts, Hann Resorts, Newport World Resorts, and City of Dreams Manila.
Fluent in English and proficient in Portuguese, Cantonese, and Mandarin, Paulo is known for his deep regulatory knowledge, strong industry network, and track record of delivering commercial and compliant solutions across diverse markets.