With the industry so often consumed with the notion of brand awareness and individuality, the emergence of digital platforms and an ever-increasing competitive market has meant it is now more vital than ever for companies to positively embrace the notion of collaboration and brand convergence. 

Throughout the final day of the event (Thursday May 11th) industry experts will partake in a plethora of discussions including but not limited to: the collaboration between land-based and online companies, the use of technology in regards to player protection, the relationship between tribal and commercial operators and more.

The first panel of the ‘Converging Worlds’ track is aptly titled ‘Lay of The Landscape’, and will examine casino, sports betting and multi-brand operators’ place in the industry as more and more states legalise iGaming. Panellists will provide insight into how the eventual consolidation of online casinos and mobile sports betting will change the landscape and discuss how operators on both sides of the industry can capitalize on their inherent strengths to enhance their share in the market,
Panellists include Rhea Loney (Chief Compliance Officer, BetMGM), David Rebuck (Director, NJ Department of Gaming Enforcement), Nick Smith (Sportsbook Manager, Snoqualmie Casino), Dan Shapiro (SVP- Chief Development Officer, Caesars Digital) with Brian Egger (Senior Gaming Analyst, Bloomberg) moderating the panel.

Speakers of the ‘Commercial vs Tribal – What are the differences when entering a new market?’ panel, will be sharing their thoughts on the challenges new markets present to both tribal and commercial operators. The group of expert panellists will explore what lessons commercial and tribal operators can learn from one another and whether Digital can heighten brand awareness to new and existing tribal audiences. 

The panel will feature Richard Roberts (President, Digital Gaming, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment), Laurel Pittman (Head of Sportsbook, Desert Diamond Casinos), Marie Jiacopello Jones (Partner, Co-Chair, Gaming Department, Foxrothschild LLP), James A. Lewis (Counsel, Duane Morris). The panel will be moderated by Melissa Blau (Founder and Director, iGaming Capital).

The ‘Player protection – collaboration focus’ panel, will have expert speakers from an array of diverse organisational backgrounds, discussing the findings of the Pre-Day ‘Player Protection Symposium’ track. Discussion on the day will focus around how cross-sector analysis can help find the best practices for player protection strategies, whilst also highlighting how technology can be utilised to recognise both healthy and unhealthy player trends, and how players can be proactively protected whilst also meeting regulatory requirements.

The esteemed panellists include Jen Shatley (Principle Consultant, Logan Avenue Consulting LLC), Martin Lycka (SVP, American Regulatory Affair and Responsible Gambling, Entain), Christopher Hebert (Director, Gaming Division, Louisiana Dept of Justice, Office of the Attorney General), Warren Russell (Founder & CEO, W2), Chrissy Thurmond (Senior Director, Responsible Gaming, DraftKings). The panel will be moderated by Paul Buck (CEO, Epic Risk Management).

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, said: “The convergence of worlds is a hot topic. Each brand has its unique strengths and weaknesses, but there’s so much to learn from other verticals or disciplines. By doing so, we can create greater opportunities for the industry as a whole, while also aligning with the modern-day consumer market and further establishing our industry’s place in the cultural zeitgeist.”

Other panels across the track include comprehensive analyses of the role integrity has within sports and betting, lottery’s place in the digital realm and special keynotes from Frank Abagnale (Best selling author and subject of the film ‘Catch me if you can’), and Barry Gibson (Chairman of Entain), as keynote speakers.