Gaming Policy at a Crossroads
NCLGS gathers in San Diego July 8-11 to address critical issues confronting the industry
The gaming landscape is evolving at a pace unmatched in modern history. To address the changes and challenges, lawmakers, regulators, tribal leaders and industry stakeholders will gather July 8-11 at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego for the 2026 NCLGS Summer Meeting.
The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States is the only organization of state lawmakers focused exclusively on gaming policy. This year’s program reflects the urgency, complexity and national significance of issues confronting the sector. It arrives as state and federal jurisdictions grapple with rapid technological change, expanding legal markets and the illegal and offshore operators. From prediction markets to responsible gambling, tribal sovereignty to new forms of gaming, the agenda underscores the breadth of policy questions facing legislators nationwide.
Key sessions include:
Prediction Markets—A Legal and Regulatory Flashpoint: These platforms have ignited a rare jurisdictional clash between federal commodities regulators and state gambling authorities, creating a patchwork of lawsuits and regulatory uncertainty across the country.
With states asserting their authority and federal regulators offering limited clarity, policymakers face fundamental questions: Are prediction markets financial instruments, gambling products or something entirely new? How should consumer safeguards, insider information risks and market integrity be addressed? This session will examine the legal battles and the growing push for a unified regulatory framework.
Sports Betting—Balancing Growth and Responsibility: Few sectors have expanded as rapidly as sports betting. Legislators will explore the tension between economic opportunity and public health concerns, particularly among young adults who are increasingly exposed to sports wagering through digital platforms and advertising.
Panelists will also address integrity issues affecting athletes and leagues, regulatory challenges, and the parallels and contrasts between sports betting and prediction markets. As states refine their regulatory models, it’s a timely examination of what responsible expansion should look like.
California Conversation— Tribal Sovereignty and the Future of Gaming: The Special Joint Committee on Casinos and Indian Gaming Sovereignty will bring together tribal leaders, lawmakers and industry experts for a forward-looking discussion on one of the country’s most influential jurisdictions. They will explore how sovereignty, innovation and market expansion intersect, and the next era of tribal-state partnerships.
Parimutuel Racing—Modernization, Regulation and the Road Ahead: The Parimutuel Committee will examine the shifting landscape of horse racing as states consider decoupling, evaluate the growth of historical horse racing machines and reassess the structure of racing commissions. Legislators will discuss how to preserve the integrity and economic viability of racing while adapting to new market realities.
State Attorneys General—Enforcement in a Digital Era: State Attorneys Generals on the Docket is a candid look at priority enforcement, including illegal offshore operators, multijurisdictional investigations and unregulated online gaming. With digital markets blurring state boundaries, AGs are increasingly central to shaping the future of consumer protection and regulatory authority.
Illegal Gambling— A Global and Domestic Challenge: The NCLGS International Committee will address the proliferation of illegal gambling including offshore online casinos and crypto-based platforms. As international operators reach U.S. consumers with limited oversight, legislators will discuss what tools and strategies can protect consumers and uphold state sovereignty.
Responsible Gambling— Youth Exposure and Advertising: The Committee on Responsible Gambling will focus on the impact of gambling ads on minors. With a feature from Parents Standing Together, the session will explore how digital marketing, social media and televised sports expose young people to gambling content. Panelists will discuss ways to strengthen safeguards and promote age-appropriate messaging.
The Future of State Lotteries: The Committee on Lottery will examine foundational questions facing one of the most stable pillars of state gaming. As iLottery platforms expand and third-party couriers grow, lawmakers must balance digital convenience with retailer protections, defining the boundaries between lottery and casino-style games.
High-impact sessions will bring the meeting to a close. The Special Committee on Taxes will examine how tax rates influence competition, investment and the growth of illegal markets. With states taking widely different approaches across sports betting, iGaming, brick-and-mortar casinos and emerging wagering platforms, legislators will compare models across jurisdictions to understand what drives sustainable revenue without undermining market integrity.
The Committee on Emerging Forms of Gaming will explore whether current regulatory structures unintentionally stifle innovation. Panelists will address the challenges facing startups and technology developers, including multijurisdictional licensing, rising compliance costs and rigid approval processes.
The meeting concludes with the Legislator–Regulator Roundtable, presented in partnership with the North American Gaming Regulators Association (NAGRA). In this session, lawmakers and regulators will address shared challenges, compare approaches across jurisdictions and identify how coordination can strengthen oversight in an increasingly interconnected gaming environment.
Three dedicated networking events including evening receptions and informal gatherings are an opportunity to continue conversations sparked during the sessions.
Planning is already under way for the 2026 Winter Meeting, December 9-12, in Savannah, Georgia. Early registration opens July 9, with discount rates available for a limited time. For more information, visit nclgs.org.
Juliann Barreto is COO of Spectrum Gaming Group. Spectrum is executive director of NCLGS.
