NCLGS Winter Meeting to Feature Exclusive One-on-One Conversation with NCAA President Charlie Baker

SAVANNAH, GA: The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) announced that NCAA President Charlie Baker will help kick off its upcoming Winter Meeting in a One-on-One conversation moderated by Massachusetts Representative Michael Finn, NCLGS Vice President. The Meeting will take place December 9-12 at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District in Savannah.

A former governor of Massachusetts and student-athlete at Harvard, Baker brings extensive experience in public service and executive leadership to one of the most consequential periods in college athletics. During his two terms as governor, he navigated complex policy challenges and built bipartisan support for major initiatives. Since becoming NCAA President in 2023, he has confronted a rapidly changing college sports landscape shaped by legal challenges, evolving state laws, and the growth of legalized sports wagering.

The discussion will examine the future of college sports governance, the impact of sports wagering on student-athletes and athletic programs, and the challenges of maintaining competitive integrity and protecting athletes in an increasingly complex environment. Baker has emphasized the importance of working with federal and state policymakers to establish a consistent national framework for college athletics, addressing issues affecting student-athletes and athletic departments across the country.

“State legislators play an important role in shaping the future of college sports, particularly as it relates to the betting landscape," said NCAA President Charlie Baker. "I look forward to joining NCLGS for a conversation about the evolution of college sports, the explosion in the popularity of sports betting, and the opportunities for policymakers, regulators and sports leaders to work together on crucial solutions that protect student-athlete well-being and safeguard the integrity of college games.”

For state legislators and others attending the NCLGS Winter Meeting, the conversation will offer an opportunity to explore the intersection of sports betting policy, college athletics, and state and federal regulatory authority.

“President Baker brings a valuable perspective to the challenges facing college athletics, drawing on his experience as governor and his leadership of the NCAA,” said Representative Finn. “I look forward to a candid discussion about the future of college sports, the impact of legalized sports wagering, and the role policymakers can play in protecting student-athletes and preserving the integrity of competition.”

The semi-annual NCLGS Meetings are the only national conferences where sitting legislators convene to discuss gaming policy in a nonpartisan, educational. The 2026 Winter Meeting program will feature legislator-led sessions, regulatory and industry panels, responsible gaming discussions, and networking events with policymakers and industry leaders from across the country.

Room reservations must be made prior to November 7 to secure the NCLGS group rate.

Sponsorship opportunities are also offered for organizations wishing to engage directly with policymakers and industry leaders. Sponsoring this event positions your organization at the center of gaming policy dialogue, with meaningful, lasting visibility among the decision-makers who matter most.

NCLGS semi-annual meetings are the only national forums in which sitting state legislators regularly convene to examine gaming policy in a nonpartisan, educational setting. 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.

For more information, visit NCLGS.org



Key Contacts:

Sponsorship: Josh Faber

Events: Jenna Wheeler

Legislative: Wayne Marlin

Media: Sherry Amos

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MEDIA PARTNERS

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.