The Moment We Can’t Ignore
Revolutionary changes in college sports and sports betting demand a unified response by regulators, universities and other stakeholders.
The rapid expansion of legalized sports betting across the United States has reshaped the relationship among gaming, public policy and college athletics in ways few could have predicted.
As wagering becomes increasingly woven into the fabric of American sports culture, the pressures placed on student athletes, universities, regulators and the NCAA have intensified.
For lawmakers, this moment demands clarity, collaboration and a willingness to confront the realities of a new era. That’s precisely why the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) is bringing together leaders from across the country at our Winter Meeting, December 9-12 at the JW Marriott in Savannah, Georgia, and why I’m proud to host a candid conversation with NCAA President Charlie Baker.
Baker, who previously served as governor of Massachusetts, brings a rare combination of executive leadership, regulatory experience and firsthand understanding of the challenges facing college sports today. His perspective is invaluable at a time when the NCAA is navigating unprecedented change: the rise of name image likeness (NIL), the influence of third-party collectives, the explosion of legal sports wagering (and the rise of sports prediction markets), and the growing concern over athlete safety and integrity.
Our discussion in Savannah won’t be a scripted keynote or a ceremonial appearance; it will be an honest, direct conversation about what the NCAA is facing, what legislators need to understand and how we can work together to protect both the integrity of competition and the well-being of student athletes.
The issues confronting college sports are not abstract. They’re already shaping the daily lives of young athletes and the institutions that support them. Several states have reported increases in harassment and threats directed at players tied to game outcomes and betting activity. Universities are struggling to navigate inconsistent state regulations governing advertising, data-sharing and responsible gambling standards. NIL deals have created new financial ecosystems that intersect with wagering markets in ways that raise legitimate questions about transparency and oversight. And as betting markets grow, so does the pressure on the NCAA to ensure that competition remains fair, credible and insulated from misconduct.
These challenges require thoughtful policymaking—not reactive measures, not fragmented approaches, but coordinated, informed action.
That’s the role NCLGS has played for the past 30 years. As the only legislator-led organization dedicated exclusively to gaming policy, NCLGS provides a nonpartisan forum where lawmakers can engage directly with regulators, operators, academics, tribal leaders and industry experts.
Our Winter Meeting will continue that tradition, offering attendees the opportunity to examine the most pressing issues in sports betting, casino gaming, lottery, technology and responsible gambling. The conversation with Baker is a centerpiece of that effort, but it’s part of a much larger dialogue about how states can regulate effectively, protect consumers and anticipate the next wave of challenges in a rapidly evolving industry.
For legislators, regulators and stakeholders across the gaming ecosystem, the reasons to attend are compelling. The Winter Meeting offers access to national experts who are shaping policy in real time, committee sessions that go beyond headlines to address real regulatory complexities and opportunities to collaborate with colleagues who are writing and implementing gaming laws across the country.
It’s also a milestone year, the 30th anniversary of NCLGS, marking three decades of leadership in responsible, transparent and forward-looking gaming policy.
Savannah provides an inspiring backdrop for these discussions. The JW Marriott Plant Riverside District offers a setting that encourages connection and thoughtful dialogue. And the city’s historic charm makes it an ideal place to reflect on where the industry has been and where it’s headed.
But the true value of this meeting lies in the urgency of the issues before us. College sports are at a crossroads, and the decisions made by policymakers in the coming years will shape the future of both athletics and regulated gaming in America.
As vice president of NCLGS, I believe this moment requires us to listen carefully, act responsibly and engage directly with leaders like Baker who are navigating these challenges every day. I invite you to join us in Savannah this December. The conversation will be substantive, the stakes are real, and the work we do together will help define the next era of gaming policy in the United States.
—Massachusetts Rep. Michael Finn is vice president of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States.
NCLGS Winter Meeting 2026
December 9-12, 2026
JW Marriott Savannah Plant
Riverside District
Savannah, Georgia
The NCLGS Winter Meeting, coming December 9-12 to the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District in Georgia, will feature a candid discussion with NCAA President Charlie Baker. For more information, visit NCLGS.org.
