Hostile to money laundering. Towards zero gambling harm.®
Discover how Vanguard Overwatch accreditation can advance safer gambling outcomes and help shield your organisation against money laundering and regulatory risk.
PRODUCTS
HOW WE CAN HELP
Reconnaissance
An initial assessment of an organisation’s anti-money laundering and responsible gambling arrangements, to identify good practices and any potential gaps or shortcomings.
Reconnaissance is a more focused assessment or compliance health check, and involves a high level review of policies and procedures, including risk-based sampling to test effectiveness of implementation.
A report is prepared with findings and recommendations to ensure an organisation can meet and exceed its regulatory obligations.
Overwatch
Our core accreditation program involves a thorough assessment of an organisation’s governance, strategy, compliance posture and performance structured around eight key pillars.
Overwatch is a comprehensive review of an organisation, underwritten by assurance activities to inform a rigorous assessment and determine eligibility for Vanguard Overwatch accreditation.
Steward
A bundle of services designed for organisations to foster innovation and continuous improvement in compliance arrangements and outcomes, facilitate strategic discussions and planning, contribute to public policy and gambling related discourse and initiatives, and support organisations with specialist capability.
Steward can be customised to provide priority regulatory advice and guidance, support to leadership and turnkey capability subject to organisational requirements.
ACCREDITATION
COMMITMENT TO BEST PRACTICE
Vanguard Overwatch sets the benchmark internationally for rigorous compliance accreditation and certifies operators are vigilant towards preventing gambling harm and hardened against financial crime.
ACCREDITATION PROCESS
Vanguard Overwatch accreditation involves a thorough assessment of an organisation’s gambling and anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing related policies, performance, and compliance orientation. As part of the accreditation process Vanguard Overwatch will review and assess the organisation against the following eight pillars:
“Strategy, risk and governance arrangements”
“Safer gambling posture and approach”
“Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing posture and approach”
“Compliance with relevant codes of practice”
“Assurance: targeting implementation of key policies and procedures”
“Capability, training and development”
“Compliance culture”
“Advertising, marketing and promotions”
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Vanguard Overwatch assessment process initially involves gathering information and documents to help build an understanding of the organisation’s strategy, governance arrangements, policies and procedures, compliance culture and performance.
We then analyse all the documents collected, survey employees and conduct targeted assurance activities to test the effectiveness of implementation of gambling and AML/CTF related policies and procedures.
We also conduct site visits and speak with senior managers and employees to obtain information and insights, assess awareness of responsible gambling and AML/ CTF obligations and associated organisational policy and procedures. Additionally, we observe team practices around key responsible gambling and AML/CTF functions.
Vanguard Overwatch prepares a comprehensive assessment report including our findings and recommendations and a determination regarding Vanguard Overwatch eligibility.
Should an assessment identify any shortcomings in existing polices or practices, Vanguard Overwatch will provide guidance on remedial requirements. We will also review the organisation’s remediation roadmap to support a pathway towards meeting Vanguard Overwatch eligibility requirements and accreditation.
BENEFITS
HOW WE HELP YOUR ORGANISATION
Achieving Vanguard Overwatch accreditation allows an organisation to display the Vanguard Overwatch certification badge at its venues, on its website and social media, as well as on its communications and marketing material.
Vanguard Overwatch accreditation demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to ethical leadership, best practice and underscores the following achievement and benefits:
International benchmark for safer gambling and anti-money laundering compliance accreditation
Meet and exceed regulatory obligations and safeguard corporate reputation
Helps shield your organisation against gambling harm, financial crime and regulatory risk
Distinguishes industry leadership and best practice
Promotes ethical leadership and socially responsible culture
Contribute to sustainable industry and preserve and fortify social licence
Demonstrate your commitment to safer gambling culture and outcomes
PREMIUM BUNDLE
OVERWATCH STEWARD
OVERWATCH STEWARD is an optional additional bundle of services designed for organisations to foster innovation and continuous improvement in compliance arrangements and outcomes, facilitate strategic discussions and planning regarding policy and gambling related initiatives, and support organisations with specialist capability.
An Overwatch Steward package is intended to augment organisational capability and functions, and support strategic and operational activity and outcomes. Alternatively, we can design an outsourcing model where we provide targeted support or more comprehensive turnkey capability and service where this may be a better fit.
Periodic public policy and regulatory forums
Mentor and guide emerging leaders and compliance professionals
Public policy and compliance advice and support
Annual senior management and board responsible gambling and anti-money laundering awareness and development sessions
Whistle-blower portal, investigative triage and support
Independent review of regulatory related technology
Responsible gambling and AML/CTF assurance support
Review relevant policies and procedures
Communications support on regulatory and compliance matters
Representation with regulators
AML/CTF independent reviews
PRINCIPAL BIO
Paul Newson
Principal, Vanguard Overwatch
Vanguard Overwatch is designed and directly overseen by Paul Newson, Principal.
Paul is a Patron and past president and trustee of the International Association of Gaming Regulators. Paul was a former Deputy Secretary within the NSW Department of Industry, responsible for gambling, liquor and racing public policy and regulation in NSW and a former Trustee of the NSW Responsible Gambling Fund.
Paul has extensive experience stewarding public policy and regulatory oversight including highly sensitive and complex issues and inquiries, enhancing regulatory governance arrangements, removing undue regulatory burden, and prioritising risk-based supervision.
Paul regularly speaks at Australian and international gambling and regulatory conferences and is a graduate of the Executive Development Program - Confronting Challenges and Embracing Opportunities — Strategic Leadership in the Gaming Industry (A joint program of the University of Nevada, Reno College of Business and Extended Studies and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas International Gaming Institute.)
Paul is the founder of Regulating the Game, an immersive gambling law and regulation conference structured to build individual and organisational capability, deepen sector knowledge, and advance thinking and discussion about contemporary best practice gambling regulation.
Pitch! is a new addition to Regulating the Game and is focused on provoking innovation, inspiring compliance and exciting industry. Regulating the Game conducts conferences in Sydney and internationally.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics), a Bachelor of Laws, a Master of Legal Studies, and a Master of Law & Management.
STRATEGIC COUNSEL.
REGULATORY GRAVITAS.
ETHICAL LEADERSHIP.
Vanguard Overwatch signals an organisation prioritises safer gambling, meets the highest standards of AML/CTF compliance, and is committed to preventing and minimising the risk of gambling harm and financial crime.
INSIGHTS
INDUSTRY NEWS
TAKE THE FIRST STEPS
GET IN TOUCH
Contact info@vanguardoverwatch.com or on 02 8218 2194 for more information
Vanguard Overwatch accreditation helps secure your organisation against financial crime risks and prevent and minimise gambling harm.
Discover how Overwatch Steward can support your organisation effectively navigate regulatory issues and challenges, enhance compliance policies and practices and support innovative sustainable industry.