The Mid-Atlantic region has been the most hotly competitive gaming market in the United States for decades, and that competition is expected to heat up in coming months, as gaming in the New York City region expands. This will likely prompt even more competition, considering the ever-present prospect of gaming in the Meadowlands. At the same time, new gaming verticals are arising throughout the region, with the expansion of igaming in markets from Maryland to New York and elsewhere. How will existing markets respond, and what should states do to protect and potentially grow their existing forms of gaming? 

As emerging technologies continue to roil the gaming industry and alter social norms, what ground rules need to be set?  From unregulated slot machines at convenience stores to illegal websites, how can the regulated, licensed gaming industry address these challenges? Will digital gaming cannibalize or create opportunities for gaming operators and lotteries, as well as other stakeholders? Will technology create opportunities to capture a broader, younger demographic? Can regulators keep pace? Who will win and who will lose in this rapidly changing business environment? This panel will answer these and other questions in this critical, topical forum. 

The evolution of digital lottery offerings includes digital instant games, which have evolved to become quite similar to digital slot offerings. Are these two technologies doomed to compete against each other for the same players and the same share of wallet? Are there opportunities for differentiation? Are they targeting the same demographics, or can these offerings be differentiated in a manner that expands the pool of potential players? What role will regulators play, particularly in the states in which the same agency regulates gaming and lottery? What creative solutions can be offered, and what are the opportunities and challenges that solutions present? 

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“Responsible gaming,” “problem gambling” and “safer gaming” have emerged from the shadows of the gaming lexicon and are now central to any discussion of gaming policy. Legislators, regulators, operators and suppliers all recognize that an issue that is centuries old is now central to the expansion and authorization of all forms of digital gaming. What lessons have the public and private sectors learned? What do policy leaders need to understand, and what more needs to be done to ensure proper protections in the era of digital gaming?

A panel of investors and sell-side analysts will discuss future opportunities in gaming, examining both the geographic opportunities and the emerging gaming verticals. Topics will include examining the potential impact of tax rates, new technologies and expanding competition. What are investors seeking, and what are they avoiding? Will emerging operators and suppliers compete effectively with larger, established organizations for capital, and who will win?