With changes to liquor and gaming regulation over the last year, Sydney’s leading liquor and gaming seminar returns with timely and practical insights not to be missed. Hear from liquor and gaming industry leaders as they unpack the critical issues facing practitioners. Explore the regulatory updates, AML/CTF issues facing the casino sector, the different property and licensing issues & the way forward for gaming machine operators.

Presenters

Chris Thompson, Principal, Gwynne Thompson Solicitors
Christopher Thompson is a sole practitioner and principal of the boutique liquor and gaming practice, Gwynne Thompson, which he commenced with Greg Gwynne in 1994. Chris completed his law diploma whilst working with NSW Government Departments including the Registrar General's Department, Corporate Affairs Commission, Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW), Liquor Administration Board, and Licensing Court of NSW. He commenced private practice in 1990 with Connery & Partners, specialising in commercial property and licensing matters. Chris regularly prepares liquor and gaming applications, for lodgement with the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority, as well as advising on many commercial transactions relating to licensed premises throughout NSW. His practice involves acting for Vendors and Purchasers of leasehold and freehold licensed premises, particularly hotels. He has lectured with TAFE NSW in restaurant and hotel law courses, and has also provided expert evidence in a number of cases over the years.


Jamie Nettleton, Partner, Addisons
Jamie Nettleton heads the gambling law practice of Addisons. Both Australian and international businesses rely on Jamie’s expertise to advise on all aspects of gambling operations, including the potential application of gambling law to innovative products and concepts, as well as their investments in gambling businesses. It is Jamie’s global reputation that sees him sought after to advise gaming machine manufacturers, wagering operators, casinos, social media, online gambling and other gambling and gaming service providers. Jamie’s advice includes licensing, regulatory and compliance issues, sports and racing integrity, consumer, advertising and privacy law issues, and more generally, the potential application of gambling law to. Jamie’s advice to international gambling operators setting up business in Australia extends to preparation of prospectuses. Jamie works closely with these clients in developing their Australian business strategies, particularly in connection with new technologies. Jamie’s position at the forefront of gambling law saw Jamie elected as President of the International Masters of Gaming Law for 2018 and 2019, and his role as a Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne as a lecturer in Gambling and the Law. He has also been ranked as a leading gambling lawyer by Chambers Global every year since 2008.


Brett Boon, Partner, Thomson Geer
Brett Boon has extensive experience in acting for registered clubs and in gaming and liquor law generally. He has handled a diverse range of projects for clubs, hotels and associations over the past 30 years. Brett heads up Thomson Geer's Lawyers Hospitality and Gaming group of 5 specialist practitioners. The group has the benefit of specialist lawyers in many fields throughout Thomson Geer nationally including Property Development, Construction, Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property and General Commercial and Corporate law. He understands the emphasis on income diversification for clubs, and is currently involved in major development projects for a number of clubs involving commercial and retail uses, child care, hotel developments, residential developments and franchises. His clients include all types of Clubs and some hotels. Brett also acts for club industry associations such as ClubsNSW, GolfNSW, Leagues Clubs Australia and the RSL and Services Clubs Association. Brett was appointed by ClubsNSW to the Club Industry's peak Governance body the Code Authority in 2005. The Authority administers the Code of Conduct for NSW Clubs and hears and determines complaints made under the Code.


Michiel Brodie, Consultant, Addison
Micheil Brodie is the Chief Executive of the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority having come to the role with a broad based experience in the public sector across four jurisdictions and possessing significant expertise in leading complex regulators and wide ranging responsibilities. Micheil has extensive experience in the gaming and liquor sector in both policy and operational leadership roles. He has substantial experience as a statutory decision maker and was a member of the Northern Territory Licensing Commission and Northern Territory Racing Commission. Among a number of substantial strategic policy implementations he rates leading significant reforms such as the Northern Territory's $75m "Enough is Enough" program and the formation and implementation of whole of Government policy in the liquor and gambling environment in two other jurisdictions as major achievements. Micheil also has a strong record of success in managing regulators in both licensing and compliance activity and has been responsible for schemes as diverse as: private security, gaming machines, casinos, prostitution and liquor and real estate. Micheil has worked with industry at all levels from individual restaurant licensees to peak bodies and multi-national corporations. He has unique experience in negotiating and maintaining complex agreements for significant licenses including casinos, lotteries and wagering. Micheil has masters degree qualifications in business and public administration, is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, a member of the Advisory Board of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission and has been a member of Gambling Research Australia for a decade. On invitation Micheil recently joined the International Association of Gaming Regulators' Board of Trustees.


John Green, Director, Liquor and Policing, Australian Hotels Association (NSW)
As the Director of Liquor & Policing with AHA NSW, John’s responsibilities include stakeholder and membership engagement, advocacy, building relationships between police and licensees plus the development of evidence based strategies on liquor, policing and other issues impacting the hotel industry. He represents on local and State government and agency committees/working groups dealing with liquor accords, Sydney nightlife, licensing, armed robberies and nationally, on counter terrorism issues. He is the association’s media spokesperson. John’s previous occupation was with the NSW Police Force, in charge of the NSW Police response to alcohol related crime. His 26 year career included general policing in the eastern/southern suburbs of Sydney, then specialist policing and leadership skills in areas such as Dog Squad, Tactical Response Group, Olympic Security, Local Area Commands, emergency/aviation security, counter terrorism and crisis management.


Shanna Protic Dib, Senior Associate, Addisons
Shanna is a Senior Associate in the gambling law practice of Addisons. Shanna works closely with both local and international companies on all regulatory and commercial matters relating to the conduct of their business within the gambling and gaming industries. Shanna advises gambling operators, media, entertainment and technology companies and affiliates on the evolving Australian legal landscape relating to gambling and gaming, with clients ranging from start-ups to large multi-nationals. Shanna has a particular focus on regulatory and policy issues, licensing and compliance issues, and general commercial matters. The diverse legal and commercial issues that rise in this context requires Shanna to advise across a broad range of areas of law, including gambling, consumer, advertising and marketing, privacy, e-commerce and technology law. Shanna has had previous experience working in-house with one of Australia leading media companies, providing her with a unique perspective, which allows her to provide advice to clients that is both practical and commercially relevant.