Conference-at-a-Glance

*2022 Information Coming Soon!*  

Monday, November 15, 2021

1:00 PM - 1:50 PM

Opening Keynotes 
Chairman Ernest Stevens, Jr, National Indian Gaming Association Victor Rocha, Conference Chairman, National Indian Gaming Association

2:00 PM - 2:50 PM

The Tribal Gaming Perspective: An In-Depth Analysis of California Sports Betting
The California Legalize Sports Betting on American Indian Lands Initiative has qualified for the ballot in California. This proposal could bring in-person sports betting to California casino gaming facilities sometime in 2022. How did we get to this point and what are the prospects for approval given the other two competing initiatives? If successful, what does this mean for sports betting in California? 

Moderator: Jason Giles, Executive Director, National Indian Gaming Association
Mark Macarro, Chairman, Pechanga Band
James Siva, Chairman, California Nations Indian Gaming Association
Jacob Mejia, Director of Public Affairs, Pechanga Development Corporation

3:00 PM - 3:50 PM

The Commercial Gaming Perspective: Sports Betting Initiative
“California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act.”
When the story broke recently about a third sports betting initiative, reaction by California gaming tribes was muted, apparently a nod to the seriousness of this endeavor. What is in this initiative and what does it mean for the tribal retail ballot initiative? Representatives from the biggest sponsors of the new initiative tell their side of the story in this headline panel.

Moderator: Victor Rocha, Conference Chairman, National Indian Gaming Association
Jeremy Elbaum, SVP Business Development, DraftKings
Jonathan Edson, Senior Vice President Business Development, FanDuel Inc.

 

4:00 PM - 4:50 PM

From Traditional to Transformation – Demystifying Digital   
Our modern era has been generalized as the “Digital Era” which grossly overlooks the reality of the dynamics at play. Digital transformation is a component of the trend overtaking this call to rapidly advance innovation, but the cornerstones of this movement are driven by new technology and the adoption and transformation of the organization itself. Join these industry experts as we demystify the digital trends and bring valuable context to the reality of the solutions at play, and how you can reframe your views and thinking of this new wave to elevate your enterprise for transformation.

Moderator: Tamara Hansen, Director of Sales, NRT Technology
Becky Harris, Distinguished Fellow, Gaming and Leadership at the International Gaming Institute at UNLV
Chris Granger, Lead of Gaming, Wagering & Lottery for Visa Inc.
Joseph Pappano, Co-CEO, Sightline Payments
Victor Newsom, Senior Vice President Product Management, Everi

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

9:00 AM - 9:50 AM

Hacking, Fraud & Ransomware: Preparing For The Inevitable 
Every day a US company is hacked by unknown adversaries and Indian casinos are becoming prominent targets. Just last month a California casino was attacked and forced to shut down for weeks while two Idaho casinos reported system disruptions, and many more intrusions have gone unreported. As hacking and fraud targeting Indian gaming is on the rise, these panelists will share their techniques for hardening information systems and protecting operations from fraudsters.

Moderator: Eddie Ilko, Risk, Safety and Security Consultant, and Chairman of NICSSA
Andrew Cardno, CEO Game Changing Technologies, Inc.
Lindsay Slader, Managing Director-Gaming, GeoComply
Sondra Feinberg, Global Workload Lead, Fraud at Microsoft
 

10:00 AM - 10:50 AM

Gaming Laboratories International: Successfully Implementing Sports Betting 
Sports betting in the U.S. continues to expand rapidly, and implementations across the country and around the world have provided a framework for successful launches as well as pitfalls to avoid. In this working training session, GLI’s professionals will provide key learnings for regulators and other key stakeholders to help strengthen skill sets that will inform better decision-making regarding standards, internal controls, risk control frameworks, and more to position you and your property or enterprise for success in the sports betting arena.

Mike Robbins, Technical Compliance Specialist, GLI
Joseph Bunevith, Director of Client Solutions, GLI

11:00 AM - 11:50 AM

CASE STUDY: Pokagon Band’s Regulating Emerging Gaming Technology 
The rapidly evolving casino gaming landscape, heavily dependent on emerging technology, demands regulatory personnel possessing the requisite skills to ensure the integrity of gaming and protection of tribal assets. This presentation will discuss the process of formulating a TGRA Gaming Technology Unit and the benefits of such a unit in keeping abreast of new casino gaming offerings.

Larry Gust, Gaming Inspector, Pokagon Band Gaming Commission
Aaron Pierce, Gaming Inspector, Pokagon Band Gaming Commission
Brandon Macheta, Gaming Inspector, Pokagon Band Gaming Commission

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

9:00 AM - 9:50 AM

Sports Bettors: The New Casino Customer
Who is the sports bettor and how are they different from traditional casino customers? Sports betting is a very different kind of wagering than slots and table games. Industry researchers and sports book operators discuss sports betting behavior and the new type of customer who may be coming to your property soon. 

Moderator: Gene Johnson, Executive Vice President, Victor-Strategies
Daniel J. Kustelski, CEO & Co-Founder, Chalkine Sports
Joann Pierce, VP of Sales, GAN
John Worthington, General Manager at Gamewise
Sarah Robertson, VP of Sales, Kambi

 

10:00 AM - 10:50 AM

Mobile Sports Betting: Right Move for Tribal Gaming? 
Any European operator will tell you that mobile is where the real money is in sports betting. With a low margin online business, large scale is necessary to produce profit. Maturing markets in NJ and PA see 80% of revenue generated by mobile. But large scale can mean market domination by a few brands. Is this the right course for Indian Country? Can many tribes prosper in a (California) mobile market?

Moderator: Valerie Spicer, Founder Trilogy Group
Joe Asher, President of Sports Betting, IGT
Melissa Blau, Director, iGaming Capital
Luisa Woods, VP, Marketing- Gaming and Entertainment, Delaware North
Peter Hammon, Founder, UCLA Gaming Law Association,

11:00 AM - 11:50 AM

Retail Sports Betting As A Casino Amenity
Retail sports betting is now taking place at tribal casinos in AZ, CT, MI, MS, NC, NJ, NM, NY, PA, and WA, and will soon go live in several more Indian gaming states. What does retail sports bring to tribal casinos big and small? Current tribal operators share their experience in making retail profitable for their properties.

Moderator: Derrick Watchman
Vic Salerno, President USBookmaking
Rob Lekites, VP North America Sports Betting, GAN