Paul Newson
Principal, Vanguard Overwatch and founder Regulating the Game
Paul is a Patron, past President, and Trustee of the International Association of Gaming Regulators. He previously served as Deputy Secretary within the NSW Department of Industry, overseeing gambling, liquor, and racing public policy and regulation in New South Wales. Paul was also a Trustee of the NSW Responsible Gambling Fund.
With extensive experience in public policy and regulatory oversight, Paul has led high-profile inquiries, strengthened regulatory governance, streamlined compliance frameworks, and championed risk-based supervision. His expertise spans complex and sensitive regulatory challenges across multiple sectors, positioning him as a trusted leader in the field.
Paul is the founder of Vanguard Overwatch, a specialist advisory firm dedicated to advancing public policy and regulatory excellence, strengthening industry capability, and helping clients navigate complex regulatory environments.
Vanguard Overwatch also offers its unique, rigorous compliance accreditation, setting the international benchmark for best practice in the gambling sector. This accreditation ensures operators proactively prevent gambling harm, fortify defences against financial crime, and safeguard their organisations from regulatory risk.
A sought-after speaker, Paul regularly presents at Australian and international gambling and regulatory conferences. He is a graduate of the prestigious Executive Development Program - Confronting Challenges and Embracing Opportunities: Strategic Leadership in the Gaming Industry, a joint initiative of the University of Nevada, Reno College of Business and Extended Studies, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas International Gaming Institute.
Paul is also the founder of Regulating the Game, an immersive gambling law and regulation conference designed to build individual and organisational capability, deepen sector knowledge, and advance best-practice regulatory approaches. As part of this initiative, Pitch! was introduced to foster innovation, inspire compliance, and excite industry leaders.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics), a Bachelor of Laws, a Master of Legal Studies, and a Master of Law & Management.
