Navigating the ever-changing currents of the global gaming industry has always required a delicate balance between innovation and regulation. For over three decades, I’ve been at the helm of a business that has witnessed the rise and fall of countless trends, regulatory shifts, and market demands. Storm International, with its flagship brand Casino Shangri La, has operated in this complex system, offering gaming experiences across multiple jurisdictions as best it can in the face of increasing tax, stifling regulations and general apathy towards the industry.
One of the greatest challenges for the gaming industry today is striking the right balance between necessary oversight and fostering an environment that allows businesses to grow sustainably. Rules are, of course, essential—they protect players, ensure responsible gaming, and maintain the integrity of our industry. We in the industry are well aware of how to run our businesses in the most efficient way possible and have no desire to lose our player base because of bad decision making where we would be entitled to lose that business as a result. But excessive or poorly informed regulation by regulators and poorly advised government officials will drive legitimate operators out of business, giving rise to illegal operators who will readily fill that gap, where the risks for players and governments alike multiply. Instead of focussing on that small minority who are admittedly adversely affected by unhealthy gambling habits caused by compulsive/addictive behaviour which is a condition affecting about 10% of the population in all its forms, why not focus on supporting a business that supports millions of jobs world-wide, billions in taxes and provides entertainment to the vast majority of people who enjoy gambling within their means to do so.
This is where collaboration becomes paramount. Policy decisions that affect our industry should not be made in isolation. Governments must engage with industry stakeholders to craft frameworks that ensure both accountability and sustainability. Business leaders bring insights grounded in real-world operations, which can help shape policies that protect public interests without stifling legitimate enterprise. As history has demonstrated time and again, competition and demand are the most organic regulators of any industry. They foster innovation, elevate standards, and ensure markets remain vibrant and fair.
Of course, this doesn’t diminish the importance of rules. Responsible gaming is important and we in the industry are well aware of that. At Storm International, we’ve invested heavily in systems and training to promote safe gaming environments, ensuring that our customers can enjoy themselves responsibly. But responsible gaming goes hand in hand with a thriving, profitable business. Operators must be allowed to innovate and grow, not merely survive. After all, a sustainable gaming industry contributes significantly to economies through job creation, tourism, and taxation—provided the environment allows for success, something many people in government are blind to, focussing more on making themselves feel important rather than supporting our industry, without which, in some cases, they wouldn’t have a job.
As we prepare for ICE 2025 in Barcelona, I encourage us all—industry leaders, regulators, and stakeholders alike—to engage in meaningful dialogue. Let us embrace innovative solutions and draw from the wealth of experience within our industry to shape a future where gaming continues to entertain millions responsibly while contributing positively to local economies. I know it’s a big ask but wouldn’t it be nice if the majority of the profit from the billions of risk taking investment made by businesspeople into this world-wide industry was returned to the investors, rather than to government that neither invests nor contributes to our well being in any way, although I won’t hold my breath?
Michael Boettcher
Founder and President, Storm International
