Industry observers and stakeholders attending this year’s GiGse, taking place at The Biltmore, Miami from May 31 to June 1, will be perfectly positioned to gain a better understanding of how the outcome of the PASPA repeal case might impact the American sports betting market. Among the speakers confirmed to address delegates there are Patrick Garofalo, state representative, Minnesota House of Representatives; Nicholas Menas, VP global strategy, Stars Group; Joe Asher, CEO, William Hill US; and Scott Butera, ex-commissioner, Arena Football League.
Between them, they represent interests from stakeholders, legislators, operators and the sports sector and, according to GiGse curator Ewa Bakun, are the key decision makers likely to shape the future of a regulated sports betting business in the US. She noted: “The industry’s appetite to learn more about what could be in store in North America if PASPA is repealed is reaching fever pitch and the people we have gathered for GiGse reflect our intention to progress the debate and insight ahead of what could be the most exciting year in US betting history. This year’s line up of panellists represents the leading authorities who can help regulators and operators to usher in a new dawn of properly regulated sports betting which protects the integrity of sport and consumer rights.”
Unsurprisingly, the 2018 GiGse agenda is dominated by sports betting as expectations continue to grow surrounding the Supreme Court’s (SCOTUS) ruling this year, with experts foreseeing a favourable outcome for New Jersey’s appeal of PASPA. Industry thought leaders including Eilers & Krejcik Gaming‘s Chris Grove and William Hill’s Joe Asher, will be using the platform provided by GiGse to explore how applicable European sports book experiences will be to the US as well as highlighting what operators can do to build their brands, their database and expertise levels in the event that the PASPA is repealed.
The potential growth for the industry and various sectors in the event of a favourable SCOTUS ruling is vast and the GiGse agenda reflects that with discussions covering the entire spectrum of the sports betting market. Speakers will also examine the US sports fans and players in a dedicated break out session where Neale Deeley, VP Sales at Sportradar, Ian Bradley, chief product officer at SBTech and Max Meltzer, chief commercial officer at Kambi, will discuss in-play betting prospects, the potential of successful international products in the USA and whether player conversion from DFS to sports betting is possible.
In addition to the headline panels at GiGse, sports betting roll-out options will be reviewed taking into consideration the needs of various industry participants, including both large and medium casinos, regional and resorts style properties, racing tracks and lotteries with insights from Ed Andrewes, CEO, New Resorts Digital; Adam Suliman, VP Ancillary Gaming and Innovation, JACK Entertainment; Brad Cummings, president, EquiLottery; and Art Manteris VP Sport and Race Operations, Station Casinos / Red Rock Resorts.
GiGse’s two-day programme, which takes place alongside the co-located Juegos Miami, will feature a wide range of industry debates including the monetisation of sports betting and its relationship with Tribal Gaming, the role of technology in growing the gaming industry outside of regulatory boundaries, the utilisation of behavioural data in tracking players from mobile to the casino floor, personalisation and artificial intelligence as methods of engaging with digital users, as well as an examination of the pace of online gambling regulation and consumer attitudes towards it.
