NCLGS to Examine if Regulation Hinders Innovation in Rapidly Evolving Gaming Markets at Summer Meeting

SAN DIEGO, CA: The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) will bring together leading voices in technology, regulation, and gaming policy for a timely discussion examining how regulatory frameworks impact innovation across the gaming ecosystem.



The session, “Does Regulation Stifle Innovation? Legislative Considerations for a Rapidly Evolving Gaming Industry,” will take place during the NCLGS Summer Meeting, July 8-11, at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego.

As new forms of gaming continue to emerge – from blockchain-enabled platforms to next-generation wagering technologies – lawmakers face increasing pressure to balance consumer protection against the need for a competitive, forward-looking marketplace. Multi-jurisdictional licensing requirements, rising compliance costs, and lengthy approval processes can slow the pace of innovation for both startups and established operators. Regulators, meanwhile, are often challenged to apply existing frameworks to rapidly evolving technologies and business models.

This panel will explore how current laws and regulatory structures shape the innovation landscape and will examine opportunities for modernization, greater regulatory coordination, and risk-based oversight approaches that support both consumer safeguards and technological advancement.

The panel will be chaired by Senator Bill DeMora of Ohio, a member of the NCLGS Executive Committee.

Presenters will include:

• Desiree Dickerson, CEO & Co‑Founder, THNDR
• Travis Geiger, Co‑Founder, WagerWire
• Roger Parkes, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Gaming Associates
• Sam Ross, Senior Program Lead, Group Strategy, FDJ United
• Eric Weiss, Managing Director, North America, IC360

This session is part of a robust program that includes:

• General Session – Prediction Markets (extended session)
• General Session – Sports Betting in America: Risks, Rewards, and the Road Ahead (extended session)
• Joint Committee on Casinos & Indian Gaming Sovereignty – Sports Betting & the Future of Tribal Gaming: A California Conversation
• Pari‑Mutuel Committee – The Road Ahead: Decoupling, HHR and HISA
• General Session – State Attorneys General on the Docket
• NCLGS International Committee – Illegal Gambling at Home and Abroad
• Special Committee on Taxes – Balancing Revenue, Competition and Sustainability in Modern Gaming
• Committee on Lottery
• Committee on Responsible Gambling, featuring a presentation from Parents Standing Together

There will also be two evening receptions, and a late-night event sponsored by FanDuel (details coming soon). The meeting will conclude with a Legislator/Regulator Roundtable, presented in partnership with the North American Gaming Regulators Association (NAGRA).

Registration for the NCLGS Summer Meeting is now open, with early‑bird discounts available until May 22. Sponsorship opportunities remain for organizations seeking to engage directly with lawmakers and industry leaders during NCLGS’s milestone 30th anniversary year.

NCLGS has a block of rooms available at two San Diego hotels:

• Hard Rock Hotel San Diego: You must book your room prior to June 5, 2026 in order to receive the group rate. Click here to book your room at Hard Rock.
• Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter: The Hilton is just a short walk from the Hard Rock. You must book your room prior to June 16, 2026 in order to receive the group rate. Call 1-800-Hiltons and use the group code 90C or click here to book your room at Hilton.

For more information, visit NCLGS.org

NCLGS meetings are produced and organized by Spectrum Gaming Group, which serves as Executive Director and has supported the organization’s growth for more than a decade.

Key Contacts:

Sponsorship: Josh Faber

Events: Jenna Wheeler

Legislative: Wayne Marlin

Media: Sherry Amos

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.

2026 Summer Meeting Sponsors

MEDIA PARTNERS

NCLGS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR