IAGR names former UAE regulator chief Kevin Mullally as first chief executive
The International Association of Gaming Regulators has appointed former UAE regulator chief Kevin Mullally as its first chief executive officer, citing the need to expand operational capacity as its global influence and regulatory agenda continue to grow.
• The International Association of Gaming Regulators has appointed Kevin Mullally as its first chief executive officer.
• IAGR said the new role is designed to expand operational capacity, deepen member engagement, and strengthen strategic partnerships.
• IAGR President Ben Haden said the board of trustees unanimously backed the appointment, citing Mullally’s global regulatory experience.
• Mullally takes the position shortly after leaving his role at the United Arab Emirates General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority.
• He will also continue leading Mullally Group, an advisory firm focused on regulatory frameworks and governance practices.
The International Association of Gaming Regulators has appointed Kevin Mullally as its first chief executive officer, marking a structural shift for a body that has historically operated through a member-driven model.
IAGR said Mullally will be responsible for strengthening the organisation’s operational capability, expanding engagement with its membership, and building relationships with strategic partners. The association described the newly created role as a response to its growth, widening international influence, and a regulatory agenda that has become more complex as more jurisdictions develop and refine gambling policy.
IAGR also stressed that the appointment is intended to enhance executive capacity without changing how the organisation is governed. Strategic direction will remain the responsibility of its board of trustees, preserving the member-led foundation of the association.
IAGR President Ben Haden said Mullally brings deep regulatory experience and a global perspective aligned with IAGR’s mission. Haden added that the board was unanimous in its enthusiasm, highlighting Mullally’s understanding of governance, international collaboration, and the challenges regulators face across different legal and cultural environments.
Mullally moves into the role only weeks after exiting the United Arab Emirates General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, where he served during its establishment phase from the third quarter of 2023. During that period, he helped shape regulatory frameworks and oversaw the launch of the UAE Lottery, the country’s first licensed gambling business. After his departure, Mullally founded Mullally Group, an independent advisory firm supporting governments, regulators, and institutions on regulatory frameworks and governance practices. He will continue as managing director while serving as IAGR chief executive.
Before joining the UAE regulator, Mullally spent more than 17 years at Gaming Laboratories International in senior positions. He also served as executive director of the Missouri Gaming Commission after working within its legal department, and earlier was chief of staff for Senator Harry Wiggins in the Missouri Senate.
In his remarks on the appointment, Mullally said IAGR’s strength comes from regulators working together across jurisdictions. He said his focus will be on expanding collaboration, sharing practical solutions, and keeping IAGR at the forefront of the most pressing regulatory issues worldwide.
In the United Arab Emirates, the GCGRA moved quickly to establish interim leadership when Mullally’s departure was confirmed, with chair Jim Murren taking on the chief executive role on an interim basis.
Creating a first chief executive role is a clear signal that IAGR is transitioning from a primarily convening organisation into one that wants greater operational reach. As regulatory questions become more technical and more international, especially around digital products, cross-border enforcement, and supplier ecosystems, the need for dedicated executive capacity becomes difficult to ignore.
Mullally’s background is notable because it blends hands-on regulatory leadership with long experience in testing, compliance, and industry infrastructure. That combination is increasingly valuable as regulators grapple with product complexity, data-driven supervision, and the practical mechanics of licensing, monitoring, and enforcement across online channels.
The most important point for the market is what stays the same. IAGR is emphasising that strategic direction remains with the board of trustees, which helps protect credibility with member regulators. If the new chief executive role succeeds, expect IAGR to become a more active node in global regulatory coordination, with more structured working groups, clearer positions on emerging risks, and stronger engagement with adjacent sectors such as financial crime, payments, and consumer protection.
Sources
Why This Matters
iGaming Times analysis: The IAGR's first-ever permanent CEO appointment formalises the organisation's transition from a part-time conference-secretariat structure into a continuous-operating regulator-coordination body. The choice of a former UAE regulatory-chief signals the IAGR is positioning to add operational support to emerging-market regulators rather than acting purely as a forum for established jurisdictions. The cross-jurisdiction information-sharing playbook gets richer as a result, which over time tightens the offshore-channel compliance perimeter for operators serving multiple licensed markets.
Related Coverage
See our sports betting regulation hub.
More from iGaming Times
Enjoyed this article? Share it: