Georgia Lawmaker Appointed as New President of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States
Al Williams has already been serving as president-elect since 2023
Georgia Representative Al Williams has been chosen to lead the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States, taking over as president at the organisation’s summer conference earlier this month.
According to NCLGS, the move elevates a lawmaker who has been a regular presence at its meetings for years and had already been serving as president-elect since 2023.
Williams succeeds West Virginia Delegate Shaun Fluharty, who will remain involved as an officer alongside NCLGS founder Steve Geller during the 2026-27 term.
In response to the appointment, Fluharty stressed “I am confident that under Representative Williams’ guidance, NCLGS will remain at the forefront of responsible gaming policy development.”
The council said its officers are elected at its annual summer gathering, and its executive committee is made up of lawmakers who deal with gaming legislation in their state houses.
Williams said, “I am deeply honored to serve as President of NCLGS and grateful for the confidence my fellow legislators have placed in me.”
He added, “We will ensure that NCLGS remains the trusted voice for legislators navigating new technologies, emerging markets, and evolving regulatory challenges.”
The Landscape
The appointment comes at a delicate moment for Williams, whose stance on Georgia sports betting has not always aligned with industry hopes.
This year, he publicly rejected claims that he had been closely involved in drafting the state’s latest gambling proposal, telling Legal Sports Report that suggestions he had been part of talks all year were untrue.
Georgia’s latest push to legalise sports betting failed in the House in March after months of disagreement over how revenue should be spent. This leaves the state still outside the growing number of US jurisdictions where wagering is permitted. The push for legalisation has reappeared several times, with the bill also falling through last Spring.
NCLGS presents itself as a forum for legislators rather than a lobby group, saying its role is to help lawmakers examine gaming policy and regulation openly.
The rest of the officer line-up for 2026-27 includes West Virginia Senator Jason Barrett as first vice-president, Massachusetts Representative Michael Finn as second vice-president, Kansas Representative Stephanie Sawyer Clayton as secretary and Ohio Senator Bill DeMora as treasurer.
