Thomas Fears

Regulatory Compliance, eGambling

Manitou Springs, Colorado, United States

About

I have a successful track record of progressively responsible compliance administration, with experience in gaming and eGaming regulatory compliance, government practice, procurement, tax, licensing, criminal law, litigation, personnel, fiscal, legislative, and intergovernmental practice. I am diplomatic across jurisdictions and cultures, founded upon a philosophy of partnership. Excellent team-building skills. Flexible and versatile -- able to maintain a sense of humor under pressure. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Gambling • Developed and implemented gaming regulatory policy. • Wrote and approved regulatory internal control proposals. • Supervised investigative teams to enforce violations of civil and criminal laws and investigate gaming business owner and key personnel suitability. • Promoted cooperation on an intrastate, interstate, tribal, national, and international basis. • Monitored independent gaming device testing laboratories. • Set up and managed consumer complaint program. Legal • Primary clients included state Gaming, Racing, Lottery, Bingo/Raffle, Liquor, and Motor Vehicle law enforcement, regulatory, and licensing agencies, and Tax authorities. • Provided legal and interpretive guidance in administrative, budgetary, purchasing, policy, personnel, taxation, licensing, law enforcement and legislative matters. • Advocacy spanned all elements of affirmative and defensive litigation. • Promoted intergovernmental relationships when representing state interests in: tribal negotiation requiring cultural sensitivity and understanding, interstate negotiation, and international cooperation • Adjudicated disputed unemployment insurance claim appeals. Procurement and Fiscal Compliance • Management and oversight of a team of contract administrators in administering a portfolio of agency agreements valued over $500 million. • Solicited, negotiated, drafted, and executed procurement contracts. • Monitored and ensured budgetary limits and contract terms were observed.

Experience

  • Director of Regulatory Operations at Alderney Gambling Control Commission
    Mar 2016 - Oct 2016 · 8 mos

    Director level management of the licensing, auditing, and investigatory work of the Alderney Gambling Control Commission in supervising top tier regulation of the eGambling industry.

  • Open Space Advisory Committee Member at City of Manitou Springs
    2009 - 2015 · 6 yrs

    Advise city government on issues relating to the acquisition and management of open space and trails.

  • Contract Manager at Colorado Department of Corrections
    2010 - 2014 · 4 yrs

    Management and oversight of over $500 million portfolio of Department vendor agreements, service contracts, and purchases (not including purchase orders), ensuring compliance with fiscal rule and statute. Supervised three contract administrators in processing contracts from solicitation through expiration.

  • Hearing Officer at Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
    Apr 2009 - Sep 2010 · 1 yr 6 mos

    The position adjudicated disputed Unemployment Insurance claim and taxation appeals, completing hearings and decisions in a timely and efficient manner. Presided over and conducted impartial hearings by: controlling the course of the proceeding; ruling on motions and objections; receiving written and oral evidence in accordance with applicable law, rules of evidence and rules of procedure; questioning witnesses and representatives on questions of fact and law; and critically observing witnesses. This position resolved disputed factual and legal issues by composing written decisions after weighing and evaluating the evidence, applying the burden of proof, etc.; determined relevant legal and factual issues by critically thinking and undertaking legal research, and determining the applicable law; and advised and consulted with peer Hearing Officers regarding the handling of cases and issuance of decisions.

  • Sr. Regulatory Investigator at Alderney Gambling Control Commission
    Sep 2006 - Mar 2009 · 2 yrs 7 mos

    The position developed and implemented regulatory policy in the field of internet gambling regulation. Duties included conducting background investigations into the probity of owners and key (important) personnel in the internet gambling business, reviewing and approving regulatory proposals, auditing regulated business for compliance with those regulatory proposals, including Anti-Money Laundering and Know Your Customer, addressing regulatory compliance issues, including discipline, and liaising with other international authorities. I also set up and managed consumer complaint handling and tracking processes. I supervised three investigators.