Regulating the Game announces finalists for inaugural RTG Global Awards

The organizers of leading industry law and regulation conference Regulating the Game have announced the finalists for the inaugural RTG Global Awards, to be awarded at a gala dinner at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth on Tuesday 10 March 2026.

The RTG Global Awards were established to recognize regulatory and sector leadership, stewardship and excellence across gambling policy and regulation, safer gambling, compliance, technology and community outcomes – acknowledging the role these disciplines play in underpinning integrity, public confidence and sustainable sector development.

Organizers said the breadth and quality of submissions received in the inaugural year has confirmed a strong appetite for recognition that is rigorous, independent and grounded in demonstrable, real-world impact.

Among the finalists confirmed this year are a number of individuals and organizations recognized for leadership and impact within their respective categories, including Dr Eugenia Chidhakwa (Lotteries and Gaming Board, Zimbabwe), Rob Annable (Picklebet) and Duncan Garvie (BetBlocker) for community impact; Dominic Monti (Wests Illawarra), Nathan Hinde (PointsBet) and Sue Pemberton (Parramatta Leagues Club) for compliance excellence; Michael Simone (Bankstown District Sports Club) and Vicki Le (Cabravale Club Resort) as emerging leaders; Chris Dimou (Parramatta Leagues Club), Gaming Laboratories International and Danny Munk (Wests Illawarra) for leadership voice; and CherryHub and KONAMI Australia recognized in the RegTech category as well as Crown PlaySafe, Parq Casino and The Star Entertainment Group for safer gambling champion.

Finalists have now been confirmed across all six categories. The full list of finalists will be available on the Regulating the Game Global Awards website at www.regulatingthegame.com.

The finalists in the six award categories were shortlisted following independent assessment by a judging panel comprising senior leaders with deep expertise spanning regulation, law, integrity, governance and responsible gambling.

These were Don Hammond, Chief Executive Officer of Leagues Clubs Australia; Jamie Nettleton, Former President, International Masters of Gaming Law and Partner at Addisons; Khalid Ali, Chief Executive Officer of the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA); and Tracy Parker, Senior Vice-President – Accreditation, Advisory and Insights for the Responsible Gambling Council (Canada).

RTG Founder and Principal at Vanguard Overwatch, Paul Newson, said the inaugural Global Awards reflected a growing appetite for recognition grounded in substance and sector contribution:

“The response to the first year of the Global Awards shows there is a clear place for recognition that goes beyond profile or promotion,” he stated. “These Awards are about surfacing leadership and stewardship – the people, organizations and solutions that are lifting standards, shaping practice and contributing to better sector and community outcomes.

“The independence and caliber of the judging panel has been central to that credibility.”

The RTG Global Awards Gala Dinner will be held as a flagship networking event within the Regulating the Game program. Tickets are available separately, enabling colleagues, finalist teams and sector stakeholders who may not be attending the full conference to join the Awards evening.

Visit https://tickets.regulatingthegame.com/events/regulatingthegame/1799516