NCLGS Sets the Stage for 2026
The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States closed out 2025 with its most successful Winter Meeting yet. The December conference brought together lawmakers, regulators, tribal leaders, industry executives and others to examine the rapidly evolving landscape of both regulated and unregulated gaming.
“I’ve attended every NCLGS meeting but one since I called the organizational meeting in 1995. This has been the best thus far,” said former Florida senator Steve Geller, organization founder and general counsel. “We had over 330 total attendees, including private-sector representatives. Notably, 180 legislators and regulators from 30 states and U.S. territories attended the Winter Meeting, reaffirming NCLGS as the primary national forum for gaming policy.”
The momentum hasn’t slowed. NCLGS is already gearing up for its 2026 Summer Meeting, set for July 8–11 at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego.
Tackling the Industry’s Most Pressing Issues
The Winter Meeting agenda showcased the breadth and complexity of today’s gaming environment, from emerging technologies to enforcement challenges, tribal sovereignty to sports integrity, issues that state policymakers will confront in the coming year and beyond.
It opened with a deep dive into the fast‑moving world of sweepstakes models. “Sweeps at the Crossroads” examined the legal uncertainty surrounding these products, growing litigation and the need for clearer regulatory frameworks. Policymakers and industry leaders debated how states should respond to a sector that increasingly resembles regulated gaming while operating outside traditional structures.
Tribal sovereignty took center stage for the Committee on Indian Gaming. Some of the nation’s most influential tribal leaders discussed compacts, iGaming expansion, sports betting, capital reinvestment and the importance of protecting sovereignty amid shifting legal and political pressures.
“Saying Yes to NIL” explored the intersection of name, image and likeness rights, athlete harassment and sports betting integrity. With college sports facing unprecedented scrutiny, panelists emphasized the need for stronger protections and clearer standards to safeguard both athletes and the integrity of competition.
The Committee on Lottery highlighted Puerto Rico’s historic role in launching the first modern government‑operated lottery in the Western Hemisphere. It examined how today’s digital environment demands modernization, innovation and renewed focus on responsible play.
With some operators moving away from credit card deposits and states considering new restrictions, the Special Committee on Payments explored the future of digital transactions, cryptocurrency and consumer protection in land‑based and online environments.
Puerto Rico’s own regulators and legislators took the stage for a dedicated general session, offering a rare inside look at the island’s consolidated regulatory structure and its vision for the future of gaming across casinos, sports betting, horse racing and esports.
The conference also included a forward‑ looking discussion on brick‑and‑mortar casinos. As iGaming, VGTs, charitable gaming and unregulated markets expand, policymakers examined how traditional casino operations can adapt to shifting consumer expectations and competitive pressures.
With legislatures preparing for 2026 sessions, experts in responsible gambling provided clarity on consumer protection, advertising standards, youth safeguards and treatment resources.
Illegal gambling enforcement was the focus of the Judiciary Committee. As offshore operators capture an estimated one‑third of the U.S. market, our panel emphasized the need for multi‑jurisdictional cooperation, new enforcement strategies and stronger alliances among regulators, attorneys general, tribes and licensed operators.
An international general session tackled one of the most serious challenges facing the industry: the intersection of money laundering, human trafficking and illicit finance. Experts from the Caribbean, the U.S. and the private sector detailed emerging typologies and vulnerabilities, underscoring the need for stronger AML/CFT frameworks and international collaboration.
The Committee on Emerging Forms of Gaming closed the program with a timely exploration of artificial intelligence, both its promise and its risks. From personalization to predictive analytics to potential manipulation of gaming systems, AI is reshaping the industry faster than policy can keep pace.
See You in San Diego
The 2026 Summer Meeting will offer an expanded speaker roster, new topics and fresh debates on the most critical issues facing the gaming industry. True to NCLGS’ mission, the agenda will feature balanced perspectives and substantive policy discussions designed to help lawmakers make informed decisions.
With momentum at an all‑time high, the San Diego Summer Meeting promises to be another can’t‑miss event for anyone invested in the future of regulated gaming. For more information, visit NCLGS.org.
