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, and was a Trustee of the NSW Responsible Gambling Fund.

Paul has led significant public inquiries, strengthened regulatory governance, streamlined compliance frameworks and advanced risk-based supervision. His experience spans complex and sensitive regulatory challenges across multiple sectors.

Paul is the founder of Vanguard Overwatch, a specialist advisory firm focused on public policy and regulatory excellence, industry capability and helping clients navigate complex regulatory environments. Vanguard Overwatch also offers a rigorous compliance accreditation for the gambling sector, designed to help operators prevent gambling harm, strengthen defences against financial crime and manage regulatory risk.

Paul regularly presents at Australian and international gambling and regulatory conferences. He is 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, Reno College of Business and Extended Studies and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas International Gaming Institute.

Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics), a Bachelor of Laws, a Master of Legal Studies and a Master of Law and Management.