EGAA Launches Gambling and Integrity Panel

June 22, 2018

Written by EGAA

The Esports Games Association Australia (EGAA) today announced the establishment of its Gambling & Integrity Panel, led by Sports Integrity expert, Iain Roy, and Gambling Law specialist, Julian Hoskins.

Just as in traditional sports, gambling operators are actively running markets on esports leagues and events. This has created obvious concerns for stakeholders and our members in that the issue of integrity comes into play. Major esports leagues and tournaments have already identified these factors and have rolled out sophisticated measures to combat any negative impact and address risk to the integrity of their competitions. Further, the global body, the Esports Integrity Coalition (ESIC), backed by major esports stakeholders, has done much work in the area and continues to do so.

The EGAA Board applaud these league and event-specific measures, and the global approach taken by ESIC, and have enhanced the approach locally by establishing a dedicated Panel to address regional concerns and come up with recommendations and an approach to best practice measures for other stakeholders and our members. We recognise and applaud the excellent work and leadership undertaken in relation to gambling and esports by our key partner in this regard, the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA) and their excellent staff.

The fundamental work and value of the Federal and State and Territory Governments in this regard is also recognised and obviously supported by the EGAA, and so we look forward to informing and being a key part of those discussions going forward.

Interim CEO of the EGAA, Mat Jessep made today’s announcement by saying: “We are very pleased to launch the Gambling & Integrity Panel for the benefit of the Australian & New Zealand esports scene, and are happy to have two fantastic legal experts in Julian Hoskins and Iain Roy to lead and assist esports in regards to these critical issues. “We welcome all inquiries from members, as well as potential members in esports locally, as well as our friends in Government, to engage with Iain and Julian to help develop the best practice approach to these critical issues, which will shape esports for years to come. Thank you Iain and Julian!”

Iain Roy

Until recently, Iain was a Senior Legal Counsel and founding Head of Integrity at Cricket Australia, where he had worked since October 2006. Prior to CA, Iain worked as the venue manager for the highly successful rugby sevens competition at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and, before that, in private practice for a number of years, first at King and Wood Mallesons in Melbourne and then in the Tokyo office of UK magic circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

In establishing the CA Integrity Unit, Iain developed an overarching strategic vision and operating plan and built the Unit to a team of over ten staff. He was responsible for the administration and operation of CA’s anti-corruption and security program, its anti-doping and illicit substances regimes, competition regulation and player conduct and related tribunal processes.

Most recently Iain travelled to Cape Town to investigate the infamous “sandpapergate” ball tampering issue involving members of the Australian men’s cricket team. Iain’s investigation and recommendations resulted in serious sanctions being imposed on, and accepted by, three high profile members of that team.

He has been the CA representative on the Board of the ACA Player Agent Accreditation Scheme and for many years has personally educated players, agents, coaches and team support staff in integrity-related issues.

Julian Hoskins

Julian Hoskins is a Principal of Australian law firm Senet Legal. He specialises in providing legal services to clients in all sectors of the gambling and entertainment industry.

Prior to commencing with Senet Legal, Julian held various General Counsel roles within Tabcorp, being Australia’s largest gambling and entertainment company, over a period of almost 10 years.  Before that, he held several senior positions in international law firms in Australia and Europe, predominantly acting for highly regulated clients including those in the gambling sector.

Julian was recently recognised by Legal500, in the GC Powerlist: Australia and New Zealand, as one of the Top 100 General Counsel for Australia and New Zealand.  He is a member of the International Association of Gaming Advisors and regularly presents at conferences and industry events.

About the EGAA

The Esports Games Association Australia Limited is an incorporated not-for-profit and member based company dedicated to the advancement of an even more professional and a self-regulated local esports industry.The EGAA acts for members where interests align and in key issues through community engagement and direct representation via Panels, Forums, and Groups. The community then informs the executive and the Board on policy and advocacy approaches.