Brett Abarbanel
Director of Research, International Gaming Institute
Assistant Professor, William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration
Affiliate Researcher, University of California, Los Angeles Gambling Studies Program
Expertise: Esports & Gambling, Gaming, Gaming Technologies, Tourism, Responsible Gambling
Biography
Brett Abarbanel is director of research at the International Gaming Institute, with an affiliate position at the University of California, Los Angeles’s Gambling Studies Program. She has expertise in global gambling and social science applications, and her research covers Internet gambling policy and behavior, esports and gambling, operations and technology, and responsible gambling and community relations.
Abarbanel serves as co-executive editor of the UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal, which publishes internationally relevant gambling research articles representing a broad span of academic disciplines. She has been interviewed as a gambling expert for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Discovery Channel and served as a consultant for multiple industry and government entities around the world.
In 2015, she was honored by the Global Gaming Expo and The Innovation Group with their Emerging Leader Award, and was named to the 2016 Global Gaming Business 40 Under 40 list.
Education
- Sc.B., Statistics, Brown University
- A.B., Architectural Studies, Brown University
- M.S., Hotel Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Ph.D., Hospitality Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
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gaming & gamblingBrett Abarbanel In The News
April 20, 2020
The spread of the novel coronavirus has devastated the gaming industry, prompting the shutdown of arenas, casinos and resorts across the country.
Gambling.com
September 5, 2019
In June this year the eSports Integrity Coalition called the industry to a match-fixing summit, after it revealed it had received an "alarming" 74 suspcious betting alerts in 2018.
June 25, 2019
PROFESSIONAL wrestler Eddie Guerrero is credited with coining the phrase, “If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying.”
Casino Connection Atlantic City
June 14, 2019
A study at the University of Nevada Las Vegas has found that fans of eSports competitive video gaming have mixed feelings about cheating—an issue that will need to be addressed if casinos are going to embrace betting on eSports matches.
Articles Featuring Brett Abarbanel
Campus NewsMay 20, 2020
A collection of news stories highlighting the staff and students of UNLV who exemplify what it means to be a Rebel, even from home.
ResearchDecember 26, 2019
A collection of stories featuring interesting discoveries driven by UNLV that have made news in 2019.
ResearchMay 8, 2019
UNLV gaming researcher explores the potential impacts of cheating in a burgeoning industry.
ResearchJuly 23, 2018
IGI reports offered analysis for officials, business leaders on gaming regulation and ways to balance growing tourism market while minimizing social costs.