As gaming jurisdictions prepare for an expansion of sports wagering after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on PASPA, now is the time to gain an in-depth understanding of how regulated sports betting works. 

The International Center for Gaming Regulation provides this two-day intensive seminar on the regulation of sports betting, and we are excited to return to an in-person seminar experience. This two-day event falls under the ICGR's Sports Wagering track of executive education seminars.

UNLV houses one of the only academic institutes that has focused on the gaming industry for over 25 years. We are excited to once again offer our sports betting program: Principles of Sports Wagering. 

Our program allows participants to gain a broad and deep education in sports wagering public policy, trends, operations, and other aspects of the gaming industry.

This two-day onsite event will start at approximately 9:00 a.m. PT each day. Exact details will be emailed prior to the start of the program.

Registration Fees Include:

• One registration for one individual to attend the two-day seminar
• All course materials
• Continental breakfast and lunch both days
• Transportation to and from the local sports book for tour
• Access to speakers who will be joining us both in person and online

A certificate of completion from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas will be awarded and delivered electronically at the end of the program.

Course Content

• Current State of U.S. Sports Betting – An examination on the status of legislation, tax,  licensing, and revenue projections across the U.S.
• Federal Law Updates – Post PASPA, what federal laws affect your sports betting operation? How do you interpret the Wire Act, Illegal Gambling Business Act, and Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act?
• Operational Models & Vendor Contracts – What do new and existing jurisdictions need to look out for when soliciting and negotiating contracts with vendors.
• Sports Betting Basics and Terminology – Handle, hold, over, under, vig, juice. Learn the basic terminology and common bets.
• Retail Operations – Setting up your retail sports book, mobile and risk management.
• Sports Wagering Advertising/Marketing – A closer look at the controversies surrounding gambling advertising
• Sports Wagering and Public Policy – Learn about land and mobile sports betting, online gaming, and esports regulatory issues.
• Economics, Integrity, and Legal Issues – Where does each dollar go that is wagered through a sportsbook? What are the largest cost centers for land based and mobile sportsbooks?
• Enforcement Issues – Learn about regulatory enforcement, the role of law enforcement, administrative approvals, integrity and best practices.
• Sports Wagering & Responsible Gaming – Understanding the meaning behind terminology including problem gambling, responsible gambling and more.
• Sports Book Tour – A 2+ hour tour of a local sports book that includes Q & A and information session.

The program will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 1, and will conclude for the day around 5:00 p.m. The program will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 2, and will conclude following the sports book tour.

Transportation to Las Vegas and hotel stay are not included in the cost of registration.

Educational Partners Include:

Karl Bennison retired in September 2019 as the Chief of the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s (GCB) Enforcement Division. Karl began his career with the GCB in 1994 as an Agent enforcing gaming laws and regulations and arbitrating disputes. 

Joe Bertolone is Vice President Sports Betting at IGT. Joe's diverse experience spans more than 25 years, starting in gaming regulation as the Chief of Administration at the Nevada Gaming Control Board and then as the first Chief of the Technology Division for the same agency.

Brendan Bussmann is a seasoned executive that has an extensive background in government affairs, communications, crisis management, strategy, and business development and continues to successfully implement strategies, as well as develop and expand new markets for various clients.

Alan Feldman is one of the world’s leading experts on responsible gaming. As Distinguished Fellow in Responsible Gaming for UNLV’s International Gaming Institute, Feldman develops programs and policies to advance related knowledge and capabilities within the industry and regulatory community.

Gregory Gemignani is an attorney who has provided direct gaming and regulatory instruction to operators, governments, and regulators in dozens of jurisdictions and has provided onsite instruction in South Africa, Japan, Puerto Rico, Oregon, Minnesota, California, and Ghana. 

John Holden is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Management in the Spears School of Business, Oklahoma State University. John’s academic scholarship is focused on legal and regulatory issues surrounding sports betting, related issues of sports corruption, and the emerging esports industry.

Steve Light is a Professor of Political Science and Public Administration and Co-Director of the Institute for the Study of Tribal Gaming Law and Policy at the University of North Dakota (UND). With Kathryn Rand (UND School of Law), Steve is widely recognized as among the nation’s leading experts on Indian gaming, federal Indian law, and tribal-state-federal intergovernmental relations.

John Lukasik's career in sports wagering has ranged from being a Sports Wagering Product Manager with IGT to being the former Director of Race, Sports & Esports with Caesars Entertainment Corporation where he was responsible for operations of sportsbooks at the Linq, Cromwell and Flamingo Casino and Resorts.

Kathryn Rand has served as Dean of the UND School of Law from 2009 to 2018, the first woman to hold the position. Rand is widely recognized as among the nation’s leading experts on Indian gaming, federal Indian law, and tribal-state-federal intergovernmental relations. She has published more than 50 articles and co-authored three books on tribal gaming,

Although the curriculum of the program is primarily designed for gaming regulators from either commercial or tribal jurisdictions, including gaming agency staff, Board or Commission members, legislators, or policymakers, it is open to anyone with an interest in the impact of legalized sports betting.  

1. In the event a course is canceled, registrants will be notified as soon as possible and receive a full refund of their registration fee. 

2. A service fee of twenty percent (20%) will apply to all participant-initiated cancellations received seven or fewer days prior to the event.

3.  All cancellations and refund requests must be made in writing. Refunds granted for credit card charges will be credited to the original account charged. No refunds will be given in the event of “No Shows.” Refunds may take up to 3 weeks for processing.

For additional questions, please contact our team at icgr@unlv.edu.