National Council of Legislators from Gaming States

Elects Georgia Representative Al Williams as President

SAN DIEGO, CA: The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) elected Georgia State Representative Al Williams as President at the Summer Meeting held in San Diego this month. Williams, who had served as NCLGS President-Elect since 2023, is a veteran lawmaker, civil rights leader, and respected voice on responsible governance. He will lead NCLGS as it continues strengthening its role as the nation’s premier forum for informed, bipartisan education on gambling and gambling policy.

Williams brings more than two decades of legislative experience to his new role. First elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 2002, he has served on key committees including the Rural Development Council, Appropriations Subcommittee for Public Safety, the Special Subcommittee on State Prisons, the House Rules Committee, and committees focused on Economic Development and Tourism, Defense and Veteran Affairs, Game Fish and Parks, and Regulated Industries.

A Vietnam War veteran and lifelong civil rights advocate, Williams marched in the 1963 March on Washington and the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march, and was jailed 17 times for his activism. His leadership extends beyond the legislature through roles with Fair Fight Action, the Liberty County Development Authority, and numerous civic and community organizations.

Following the annual elections, NCLGS announced the following Officers who will serve alongside President Williams:

• West Virginia State Senator Jason Barrett, 1^st Vice President
• Massachusetts State Representative Michael Finn, 2^nd Vice President
• Kansas State Representative Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, Secretary
• Ohio State Senator Bill DeMora, Treasurer

NCLGS Founder, General Counsel and former Florida State Senator Steven Geller, and Immediate Past President, West Virginia Delegate Shawn Fluharty, will also serve as officers for the 2026-2027 annual period.

This bipartisan slate reflects the broad geographic and political diversity of NCLGS and underscores the organization’s commitment to balanced, transparent, and forward‑looking legislative dialogue.

“I am deeply honored to serve as President of NCLGS and grateful for the confidence my fellow legislators have placed in me,” Williams said. “For more than two decades, I’ve worked to ensure that Georgia and states across the country approach gaming with integrity, responsibility, and a clear understanding of how these policies affect our communities. NCLGS is the only organization where lawmakers can come together openly and constructively to examine the fast‑changing gaming landscape.

“I look forward to working with our new slate of officers as well as our founder and immediate past president as NCLGS continues to building a strong, bipartisan foundation for the future of gambling in America. Together, we will ensure that NCLGS remains the trusted voice for legislators navigating new technologies, emerging markets, and evolving regulatory challenges.”

Founder Steven Geller stated, “Having witnessed the evolution of NCLGS from its inception, I'm excited to support President Williams and our newly elected officers as we continue our mission. The dynamic landscape of gaming requires adaptive strategies and informed decision-making. I am confident that under Representative Williams' guidance, NCLGS will remain at the forefront of responsible gaming policy development."

Under Williams’ leadership, NCLGS will continue expanding its role as a national resource for legislators confronting issues such as sports betting integrity, iGaming, prediction markets, tribal‑state relations, illegal gambling, and emerging technologies reshaping the gaming ecosystem.

Chief Operating Officer Juliann Barreto of Spectrum Gaming Group, which serves as NCLGS Executive Director, said, “With gaming policy evolving rapidly across the country, NCLGS remains committed to providing lawmakers with the tools, research, and collaborative environment necessary to craft responsible, informed legislation. We are thrilled to welcome Representative Al Williams as the new President of NCLGS. His extensive experience and dedication to ethical governance will be invaluable as we navigate the complexities of modern gaming legislation. Al's leadership will undoubtedly strengthen our commitment to fostering transparent, bipartisan dialogue among legislators nationwide."

NCLGS is the only organization of state lawmakers that meets on a regular basis to discuss gaming-related issues. The NCLGS semiannual meetings, which are open to the public, attract numerous state legislators as well as regulators, gaming operators and suppliers, attorneys, lobbyists, media, and other stakeholders to discuss all aspects of regulated gaming, as well as the risk implications of unregulated gaming. NCLGS meetings are proudly produced and organized by Spectrum Gaming Group, which serves as Executive Director.