Opening Remarks from IAGA President Jeff Barbin

Opening Keynote

Beyond regulation: the challenges
and strategies of combatting illegal gambling
Despite increased efforts to curb illegal gambling by offering expanded regulated options and taking legal action against unlicensed operators, illegal gambling continues to thrive around the world. No market is immune: a 2023 report from the American Gaming Association (AGA) estimated that Americans bet an estimated USD $511 billion each year with illegal and unregulated gambling operators, and in 2024 the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) established an Illegal Gambling Working Group to address to the significant challenges regulators face from illegal gambling and facilitate better collaboration and sharing of information. The panel will first look at the key global issues, sharing insights into recent legal actions taken by regulators against unlicensed gambling and social gaming operators. Next, they’ll share insights from an illegal gambling study commissioned by the European Casino Association that analyzed legal and illegal gambling across all 27 EU member states, sharing how its results can be used to combat illegal gambling and enhance the reputation of legal operators. Finally, they’ll talk about what more can be done to fight illegal gambling.

Moderated by Greg Brower, a Shareholder with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, the panelists include:

• John Pierce, Enforcement and Intelligence Director, UK Gambling Commission
• Dr. Sven Jung, Director of Economic Analysis and Financial Planning, Handelsblatte Research Institute

Dealing with the Good, the Bad and the Unknown: C-Suite Roundtable
As anyone whose title begins with a capital C will tell you, industry leaders are constantly faced with a wide range of challenges, opportunities and uncertainties as they navigate the rapidly changing global gambling landscape. Bringing together C-level leaders from multiple gaming stakeholder verticals, our C-Suite panelists will opine on the current issues keeping them awake at night. Covering a wide range of topics including the growing challenges presented by illegal and gray market gambling, different approaches to handling player claims and fraudulent player behavior given the economic impact they each can have on profitability, and growing media and public scrutiny, they’ll also discuss how to balance the costs associated with increased AML scrutiny and other risk-based concerns, especially as the threats posed by financial crime, fraud and sophisticated cyberattacks grow. With additional insights provided into other “hot topics,” this is unique opportunity to hear from industry leaders who help shape public policy and perception about gaming in all its forms.

Moderated by Harper Ko, IAGA Vice President, the panelists include:

• Alex Dixon, Chief Executive Officer, Resorts World Las Vegas
• Raymond Lin, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel, Mohegan Gaming

Lunch 

A Fireside Chat with Kevin Mullally, CEO of the UAE General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority
Since the UAE emerged as a new gaming jurisdiction, all eyes have been on its newly formed General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority carefully watching for hints of what was to come. Interviewed by Ellen Whittemore who was instrumental in Wynn Resorts’ receiving the UAE’s first license, CEO Kevin Mullally will share keen insights into the status of the Emirates’ legal framework that was shaped from a blank slate drawing on the Board’s and his vast experience. He’ll discuss some of the best practices they are implementing to bring strong licensed operators and providers into the market and talk about why it’s important for regulators to review and amend regulations to reflect a rapidly changing industry.

Regulatory frameworks in focus: Lessons from established gambling markets
Join us for a dynamic panel featuring distinguished gambling regulators from established markets including North America and Europe where they discuss the challenges they face in their jobs as regulators, including when stakeholders on all sides question their impartiality. This panel will explore the evolving landscape of gambling regulation, sharing insights into best practices, challenges, and innovative approaches to ensure, fair play, consumer protection, and responsible gambling.  The panel will also share their experiences collaborating with other regulators and working with agencies such as FinCEN and the FBI in the US, provide future predictions and trends, and advice for other regulators.

Moderated by Laura McAllister Cox, Chief Compliance Officer for Rush Street Interactive, the panelists include:

Demystifying AI: is it a game changer for the gambling industry
Artificial intelligence (AI) brings with it much excitement and speculation in terms of its potential benefits for the global gambling industry and its stakeholders. Featuring an impressive lineup of technology and legal experts, and as AI takes shape, this session will discuss the use of AI in fraud detection and responsible gaming, security, personalization and even game design, emerging trends and capabilities and predictions for the future. Rather than making bold predictions or promising revolutionary changes, the panel will focus on practical, cutting-edge, application of AI in the gambling industry and assessing whether it is, or will be, a game changer and whether more gambling businesses should be adding it to their toolbox, processes and systems. Finally, the panel will consider the legal landscape for AI in the regulated market, sharing insights and updates from Europe and the US. 

Moderated by Jason Clairmont, Principal Evangelist - Betting and Gaming, for Amazon Web Services (AWS), the panelists include:

• Dr. Stefanie Fuchs, Partner, Hambach & Hambach

• Brian Krolicki, Commissioner, Nevada Gaming Commission
• Rhea Loney, Chief Compliance Officer, BetMGM

The progression of online casinos: adapting to a digital era
In the last two decades, the online casino industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, pioneering innovations that have changed the way players engage with gaming. This panel will explore the evolutionary journey of online casinos, from their inception to the cutting-edge technologies that define them today, including live dealer casinos that have revolutionized the online gaming experience by offering a traditional land-based casino environment.  Industry experts, technology innovators, and regulatory professionals will consider the pivotal advancements that have shaped online casinos and live dealer casinos, including the integration of high-definition streaming technology, interactive user interfaces, and cutting-edge broadcasting techniques.

Moderated by Sonia Church-Vermeys, a Shareholder with Brownstein Hyatt Farbert Schreck, the panelists include:

• Rory Dilweg, Chair, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Gaming Commission
• Dawn Himel, Director – Gaming Division, Louisiana Office of the Attorney General