SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12

Registration Open

IMGL Masterclass #1

Distributed Gaming – Threat, Opportunity or Conundrum?  

Video gaming or lottery terminals have been approved in a number of states, yet in other states these machines operate in a gray or even a black market. The panel will discuss developments across the country, how the brick-and-mortar industry is responding and what the future may hold for these and other stakeholders, including legislators  

• Marc Ellinger, Principal, Ellinger & Associates
• Jessica Feil,Vice President, Government Relations & Gaming Policy Counsel, American Gaming Association
• Paul Jensen, Partner-in-Charge, Taft Stettinius & Hollister
• Joe Weinert, Executive Vice President, Spectrum Gaming Group

IMGL Masterclass #2

iGaming and the Intersection with Land-Based Gaming

As US states expand into iGaming, a number of policy considerations confront their legislatures. What is the right iGaming economic model for the state? How does the state balance an iGaming market with a domestic casino market or a successful state lottery? Are the state regulators ready for the technology heavy virtual gaming marketplace? This panel will tackle these issues and hope to offer lessons and best practices.

• Ali Bartlett, Attorney, Bose & McKinney 
• Marc Dunbar, Shareholder, Dean Mead 
• Howard Glaser, SVP Government Affairs and Legislative Counsel, Scientific Games
• Kevin Mullally,Vice President of Government Relations & General Counsel, GLI 

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Attendee Welcome Reception                                                                                                                                            

MONDAY, DECEMBER 13

7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Registration Open

7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

7:30 a.m. – 8:25 a.m.

NCLGS Officers & Committee Chairs Meeting (Invitation Only)

8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

President’s Address: Senator Keith Pickard, NCLGS President

8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Opening Address: Bill Miller, President and CEO, American Gaming Association 

Bill Miller is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Gaming Association.

Miller has more than three decades of experience on Capitol Hill and representing business interests in Washington. Prior to joining the association in January 2019,

Miller served as senior vice president at Business Roundtable, overseeing all outreach to Capitol Hill and the Administration on behalf of the association of chief  executive officers of leading U.S. corporations.

Before his six-year stint at the Roundtable, Miller was a partner at international corporate communications firm Brunswick. While at Brunswick, Miller’s focus included financial/investor communications, crisis work, stakeholder engagement, and global positioning on behalf a number of U.S. and international corporations. He also assisted several global investment firms on potential and actual crisis situations.

A veteran lobbyist, Miller previously led the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s political affairs and federal relations efforts and served as national political director, advising the business association’s CEO and overseeing its legislative, advocacy, and lobbying tactics. He coordinated and executed political and grassroots operations and implemented lobbying campaigns on many of the top issues facing the business community during his 12 years at the Chamber. He regularly appeared on CNN, CNBC, Bloomberg, FOX, ABC World News, and PBS. 

Miller also served as Chief of Staff to Representative Constance A. Morella, where he oversaw her legislative and political agenda from 1994 to 1999.

A successful entrepreneur, Miller has started several businesses, including a bank, restaurants, and a television pilot. He has also financed several technology start-ups. Miller holds a B.A. degree from the University of Maryland and a law degree from American University. He resides in Washington, D.C..

COMMITTEE SESSIONS

9:15 a.m. – 10:05 a.m.

Committee on Pari-Mutuel

Horse Racing’s Uncertain Future – An Industry at a Crossroads:

As the horse-racing industry waits to see how the federal Horse racing Integrity Safety Act (HISA) is implemented nationwide, issues such as fixed-odds betting and decoupling are taking center stage as racetrack operators try to survive in a hyper-competitive sports-betting landscape. Will states follow New Jersey’s lead and approve new options such as fixed-odds betting? Will cash-strapped state governments continue to reduce or remove payments from casinos/racinos to the horsemen?

• Dallas Baker, Head of International Operations, BetMakers
• Jack Jeziorski, Executive Vice President, Monarch Content Management, a Stronach Group Company
• Representative Chris Kannady, Oklahoma
• Matt Vance, Executive Vice President Racing, Lone Star Park and Remington Park

10:35 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.

Committee on Responsible Gaming

Identifying, Adopting Best Practices:

The rapid growth in digital gaming, coupled with new technologies, creates new challenges for states, including challenges across state lines. Legislators need to consider practices that will protect the vulnerable and that will meet this growing array of challenges. The committee will hear from presenters and the public as NCLGS considers a resolution to help states address this issue more effectively.

• Tammi Barlow, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Rush Street Interactive
• Wiley Harwell, Executive Director, Oklahoma Association for Problem and Compulsive Gambling
• Judge Cheryl Moss (ret.), Nevada Gambling Treatment Diversion Court

11:25 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Committee on Indian Gaming

Finding a Level Playing Field in the Digital Future: 

As states continue to adopt new forms of digital gaming, what must tribal gaming commissions and operators do to ensure full participation in this future? This is especially important as many compacts were developed during a land-based era. What are the concerns and opportunities for states as they develop and maintain dialogue with states?

Representative Kevin Ryan, Connecticut

Representative Christina Haswood, Kansas

• Ben Fenner, Partner, Peebles Kidder Bergin & Robinson LLP

• Matthew Morgan, Chairman, Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association

• Julie Wilkerson, Trial Attorney, Jena Band of Choctaw Indians

12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. 

Keynote Luncheon:  Andy Abboud, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Las Vegas Sands

Andy Abboud is a founding Team Member serving the company since 1998. Possessing some of the most diverse wide ranging political experience in the hospitality industry, Andy’s duties include managing the political and governmental affairs for Las Vegas Sands and the Adelson Family along with aiding and assisting in the company’s expansion efforts and development projects.

Andy is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. He began his career working on local, state, and federal campaigns in the late 1980’s. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed to serve as Executive Director of the Republican Party of Harris County, Texas. While in Texas Andy served on the City of Houston’s Site Selection Committee in their successful bid to land the 1992 Republican National Convention. Following that, Andy returned to his home state of Nebraska where he worked on the Republican National Committee’s Victory campaign, several state, local and federal campaigns, as well as serving as the Executive Director of the Douglas County and Nebraska Republican Party organizations.

Andy has been instrumental in instituting Las Vegas Sands Corp.’s political and community development activities, along with helping to ensure LVSC properties continue to set the industry’s standards. Abboud oversees the company’s political and government relations efforts in Washington, D.C.,          Carson City, Beijing and other Capitals around the globe. He led the company’s campaign to obtain a gaming license in Pennsylvania, spearheading a proposal to redevelop the former Bethlehem Steel property into a mixed-use resort development. He continues to provide leadership for the company’s expansion opportunities in other jurisdictions within the United States and abroad.

Andy has been at the forefront of several of the company’s political and community initiatives including the creation and development of LVSC’s Responsible Gaming Program. In the development of this program, he facilitated a partnership with the Harvard University Medical School and Cambridge Health Alliance Division on Addictions to develop a cutting-edge training curriculum for all team members, establishing LVSC as the foremost leader in responsible gaming in the world.

Andy also organized the charitable arm of the Las Vegas Sands Corp. 501c(3) charitable foundation, the Sands Foundation. The Sands Foundation distributed millions of dollars in charitable contributions to thousands of organizations and individuals in need throughout Southern Nevada and the world focusing on youth, health, and education. In recent years, Andy has helped facilitate Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson’s program to bring wounded warriors and their families to Las Vegas for VIP treatment as a show of gratitude for their service to our country.

Andy is also active in several civil and charitable organizations, previously sitting on the Board of Directors for the Problem Gambling Center and The United States Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Las Vegas Sands Corp. Political Action Committee (Sands PAC), The Keystone Corporation, The Nevada Resort Association, and services on the Board of Trustees of the UNLV Foundation as well as on the Board of Trustees of the University of Nebraska Foundation. In addition to board seats Andy serves on the Public Affairs Council for the United States Chamber of Commerce, the US Brazil Council at the United States Chamber of Commerce and the Government Affairs Committee of the American Gaming Association. In 2006, Andy was the special honoree at the annual Spread the Word Nevada Storybook Gala, and, in 2010 he was Keystone Corporation’s honoree receiving their Keystone Corp.’s Economic Freedom Award.

1:30 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.

Committee on Emerging Forms of Gaming

Adopting New Technologies:

Cashless gaming is knocking at the door, and legislators and regulators must answer the call.  As operators of retail and digital gaming push to adopt cashless or digital payment solutions, questions need to be addressed.  What are the risks, rewards and responsibilities for providers, operators and regulators? How fast is the payment technology developing? How will this change the overall gaming landscape?  

• John Gronen, Chief Financial Officer, Sightline Payments
• Jason Hollingsworth, Director of Regulatory Compliance and Controls, Gaming at Fiserv
• John Pappas, State Advocacy Director, iDEA Growth & Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Corridor Consulting

2:20 p.m. – 3:10 p.m. 

Committee on Lotteries

Building a Digital Future for Lotteries:

Lotteries across the United States must often take on multiple roles as revenue generators and sometimes as regulators, while moving into the emerging realm of ilotteries. What will this mean for public policy, for the gaming landscape, for their retailers and other stakeholders? 

• Scott Bowen, SVP Government Affairs, NeoPollard Interactiv
• Peggy Leah Daniel, US General Manager, NJ Lotto
• Howard Glaser, SVP Government Affairs and Legislative Counsel, Scientific Games

3:40 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Committee on Casinos

The Future of Brick-and-Mortar Casinos in a Changing World:

With roughly 1,000 casinos of some type in 42 states, the retail casino industry is an integral part of the US economy, but this mature industry faces a range of daunting challenges: How will it address an aging customer base, as well as new challenges from digital operators? Are tax policies that were developed decades ago in need of reform? Do casinos need to broaden or change their business model? What can policymakers do to guide these changes into new directions?

• Chad Beynon, Managing Director, Macquarie Securities
• David Katz, Managing Director, Gaming, Lodging & Leisure Equity Research, Jefferies
• Joe Weinberg, Chief Executive Officer, Cordish Gaming Group

4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

VIP Reception for Sponsors and Donors (Invitation Only)

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Opening-Night Welcome Reception

7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Registration Open, Continental Breakfast

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Executive Committee and Legislator Roundtable – open to all legislators

SELECT COMMITTEE SESSION

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Select Committee on Inclusion and Diversity

Policymakers across the United States share a vital interest in promoting diversity and inclusion in gaming. How should the gaming industry best ensure representation of diverse talent in gaming? How does the industry focus on identifying and advancing diverse talent into technical, management, operational and executive roles? What role can legislators and regulators play in advancing this agenda?

• Katherine Armstrong, Vice President of Culture (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), Churchill Downs
• Kim Barker Lee, Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion, IGT
• Reggie Ledan, Senior Compliance Manager, FanDuel
• Stephanie Piimauna, SVP and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Seminole Hard Rock 

GENERAL SESSION

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

General Session

Sports Betting Retrospective: Expectations, Reality and Lessons Learned

Since the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in May 2018 to overturn PASPA, numerous states have adopted sports betting based on their own fiscal and economic expectations. What were those expectations? Were they met? If not, why? What could have been done differently? Are there lessons learned from the adoption of sports betting and igaming that others need to consider?

• Speaker of the House Alec Garnett, Colorado

• Brandt Iden, Head of Government Affairs-US, Sportradar

• Bill Pascrell III, Partner, Princeton Public Affairs Inc.

• Daniel Wallach, Founder, Wallach Legal

• Representative Mike Zalewski, Illinois