Kasra Ghaharian

Director of Research, International Gaming Institute
Expertise: AI use and ethics in the gaming industry, Data science and gambling, Casino payments modernization, Responsible gambling, Consumer protection

Biography

Kasra Ghaharian is the director of research for UNLV's International Gaming Institute. He is a global gaming expert who specializes in online settings and AI applications, machine learning, consumer protection, and payments modernization.

Ghaharian brings several years of industry experience in digital analytics, strategic marketing, e-commerce analysis and product management, enterprise strategy, and sales at several of the world's largest casino-hotel companies to the position. 

His scholarly works have examined ways to improve industry tech and user experience. While pursuing his Ph.D., Ghaharian explored the implications of digital payments for the gambling industry and applied machine learning to payment transaction data to uncover behavioral patterns and potential markers of problem gambling. His master's thesis was a first-of-its-kind study to apply mathematical methods to the age-old task of optimizing the casino floor. His current research projects include using consumer bank transaction data to support gambling harm prevention and investigating the efficacy of AI chatbots to educate consumers about responsible gambling. 

Ghaharian has been called upon by media outlets including BBC, Sports Handle, and Inside Asian Gaming to offer industry insights.

Education

  • Ph.D., Hospitality Administration/Management, UNLV
  • MS., Hotel and Gaming, UNLV
  • M.S., Sport and Exercise Nutrition, Middlesex University
  • B.S., Hotel and Gaming, UNLV
  • B.S., Business, University of Surrey

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gaming & gambling

Kasra Ghaharian In The News

G&M News
G&M News had an exclusive interview with the Director of Research of the International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (United States). In the article, he reviews his academic and professional career, explains the role of investigations to create an impact on the gambling segment, and underlines large language models and generative AI as stimulating tools with lots of applications for operators and players alike.
CDC Gaming
The International Center for Responsible Gaming Friday announced that Dr. Kasra Ghaharian, director of research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has been awarded the first Christine Reilly Grant Award.
CDC Gaming
Shelley White, CEO of Canada’s Responsible Gambling Council, boiled the topic down to, “It’s really about creating safer environments for the players.” She was joined in the discussion by Kasra Ghaharian, director of research for the International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Rounding out the panel was Michael Auer, a psychologist and statistician who also works for Open Bet. Auer said he’s been researching player data and responsible-gaming tools since 2008 and has subsequently published on the topic. When asked where attendees could learn more about AI, he jokingly replied, “Read my papers.”
Gambling News
Gambling software development company Playtech has unveiled a new multi-year partnership with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Under the agreement, the two parties will work together to discover new tech-powered sustainable gambling solutions.

Articles Featuring Kasra Ghaharian

unlv pumpkins
Campus News | November 4, 2024

A monthly roundup of the top news stories at UNLV, featuring the presidential election, gaming partnerships, and much more.

Students pass by Lied Library as they walk campus on the first day of Fall 2024 semester classes
Campus News | September 6, 2024

A collection of news highlights featuring students and faculty.