Ethical Gambling Forum – Tuesday 7th May 2024
I was grateful to be asked to open this conference focussed on the ESG aspects of the gambling Industry. Before assuming office on October 13th of last year, I spent 31 years practicing law in Gibraltar, with a primary focus on the financial services sector, although I also had professional involvement in the gaming sector. During my career, I attained the honour of being appointed as a King's Counsel (then Queen’s Counsel) and also served as a Visiting Professor of Law at a university in the United Kingdom. Additionally, I have co-authored several law books. As Minister, I am now the Licensing Authority in Gibraltar (assisted by the Gambling Division), among other Ministerial responsibilities. The underlying premise in licensing gambling companies in Gibraltar, both B2C and B2B is one of them establishing substance in Gibraltar (for the good of the economy), behaving responsibly in their approach to consumers (from a fairness and protection perspective), keeping crime out of gambling and ensuring they uphold the good reputation of Gibraltar. 1