The International Center for Gaming Regulation, at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, announced the inaugural Sports Wagering & Gaming Week, an activity that will feature two in-person events in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. The Gaming Startup Bootcamp, July 25-26th, is a must-attend course for entrepreneurs entering the gaming space. Immediately following, the ICGR will host Principles of Sports Wagering: Policy & Operations. This seminar provides a broad and deep education in sports wagering public policy, trends, operations, and other aspects of the gaming industry.
FIRST EVENT: GAMING STARTUP BOOTCAMP
The UNLV, a top tier 2.0 research institution, is hosting its inaugural Gaming Startup 2 Day Bootcamp in Las Vegas at Black Fire Innovation. This program will inspire, engage, and inform entrepreneurs and drive collaboration and networking with industry professionals. Entering the gaming and gambling space is unique and complex. What is the overarching state of venture capital post-COVID 19 and amid global unrest?
Learn the legal aspects to establish your startup organization and how to navigate the complexities of compliance in a highly regulated innovation space. Have your imagination and innovation sparked with roundtables with industry executives. Understand market assessment, go to market strategies and get the insights in Esports, sports wagering and more.
Seminar Topics: State of Venture Capital; Business 101: Legal Structures; Business 101: IP and Confidentiality; Business 101: Organization Structures; Prototype Production; The Role of the Incubator & Accelerator; Regulatory Compliance Structure; People & Culture & Sociology; Market Assessment, and Go to Market
Roundtable Discussions
a) Sports Wagering Roundtable. Engage in a roundtable discussion with sports wagering experts and learn about the current gaming ecosystem and what customers and operators are looking for.
b) Innovation Cycle Roundtable. Join in an engaging debate on the innovation cycle, including ideation, selection, development and commercialization.
c) Esports Roundtable. Be part of the latest examination of Esports and the current trends driving innovation and market acceptance.
EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS TO THIS BOOTCAMP
Dr. Bo Bernhard is Executive Director at the IGI, where he oversees all research and academic functions. Dr. Bernhard has delivered over 200 keynote addresses in clinical, regulatory, government, and policy settings. He has published in the top journals in both the business sciences (including Cornell Quarterly) and the social sciences (including a guest edited special volume of American Behavioral Scientist). He currently serves as executive editor for a leading peer-reviewed academic journal, Gaming Research and Review.
Joe Bertolone is Vice President of Sports Betting at IGT. His 25-year career in the industry started as the Chief of Administration at the Nevada Gaming Control Board and then as the first Chief of the Technology Division for the same agency. Bertolone is the former Executive Director of the ICGR.
John Lukasik is the Customer Research and Marketing Analytics Manager for Penn National Gaming. He previously held the position of Director of Race, Sports, and Esports for Caesars Entertainment, where he oversaw operations at the Linq, Cromwell, and Flamingo. He brings with him nearly a decade of experience in the gaming industry, where he has worked primarily in gaming operations.
Dr. Robert Rippee is currently the Executive Director of UNLV’s Black Fire Innovation Hub, as the visionary guide for teams of students, faculty, staff, and partner stakeholders in fulfilling the vision and mission for economic development and diversity through problem-solving based idea creation, innovation, acceleration, and commercialization.
Alan Feldman is one of the world’s leading experts on responsible gaming. As Distinguished Fellow in Responsible Gaming for UNLV’s International Gaming Institute, Feldman develops programs and policies to advance related knowledge and capabilities within the industry and regulatory community.
Gregory Gemignani is an attorney who has provided direct gaming and regulatory instruction to operators, governments, and regulators in dozens of jurisdictions and has provided onsite instruction in South Africa, Japan, Puerto Rico, Oregon, Minnesota, California, and Ghana.
Becky Harris is a Distinguished Fellow in Gaming and Leadership at the International Gaming Institute. Harris is a recognized expert on sports betting, gaming policy and regulation, legislative affairs, and workplace sexual harassment prevention. She is the former Chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
SECOND EVENT: PRINCIPLES OF SPORTS WAGERING. POLICY & OPERATIONS
As gaming jurisdictions prepare for an expansion of sports wagering after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on PASPA, now is the time to gain an in-depth understanding of how regulated sports betting works. The International Center for Gaming Regulation provides this 2-day intensive seminar. This two-day event falls under the ICGR’s Sports Wagering track of executive education seminars. The program allows participants to obtain a broad and deep education in sports wagering public policy, trends, operations, and other aspects of the gaming industry.
Seminar Topics: Current State of U.S. Sports Betting; Federal Law Updates; Operational Models & Vendor Contracts; Sports Betting Basics and Terminology; Retail Operations; Sports Wagering Advertising/Marketing; Sports Wagering and Public Policy; Economics, Integrity, and Legal Issues; Enforcement Issues, and Sports Wagering & Responsible Gaming.
Sportsbook Tour: There will be a Sportsbook Tour at South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa. It will be a 2+ hour tour that includes Q&A with resort GM and head of sportsbook operations.
EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS TO THIS SEMINAR
Karl Bennison retired in September 2019 as the Chief of the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s (GCB) Enforcement Division. Karl began his career with the GCB in 1994 as an Agent enforcing gaming laws and regulations and arbitrating disputes.
Brendan Bussmann is a seasoned executive that has an extensive background in government affairs, communications, crisis management, strategy, and business development. He continues to successfully implement strategies, as well as develop and expand new markets for various clients.
Kathryn Rand has served as Dean of the UND School of Law from 2009 to 2018, the first woman to hold the position. Rand is widely recognized as among the nation’s leading experts on Indian gaming, federal Indian law, and tribal-state-federal intergovernmental relations. She has published more than 50 articles and co-authored three books on tribal gaming.
Steve Light is a Professor of Political Science and Public Administration and Co-Director of the Institute for the Study of Tribal Gaming Law and Policy at the University of North Dakota (UND). With Kathryn Rand (UND School of Law), Steve is widely recognized as among the nation’s leading experts on Indian gaming, federal Indian law, and tribal-state-federal intergovernmental relations.
Other partners are already mentioned Alan Feldman, John Lukasik, Gregory Gemignani, and Becky Harris.