The UNLV International Gaming Institute’s (IGI) AI Research Hub (AiR Hub) in collaboration with KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm, today released The State of AI in Gaming 2026, the inaugural edition of an annual global benchmarking series tracking how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the global gambling industry.  

“Society is at an inflection point with AI, and until now there has been no rigorous, independent baseline for understanding where the gambling industry stands,” said Kasra Ghaharian, IGI’s director of research and editor-in-chief of the report. “The State of AI in Gaming is designed to fill that gap, serving as an essential resource for operators, regulators, researchers, and every stakeholder navigating the adoption, return on investment, and responsible integration of AI within the gambling industry.”

The report examines AI adoption across four dimensions: industry maturity, regulatory landscape, innovation pipeline, and responsible use.  It draws on original survey research from 83 gambling companies and 113 regulators worldwide, a 15-year analysis of academic publications, patent filing data, and expert contributions.

Key Findings at a Glance

Early-Stage Maturity. With an average score of 45 out of 100 on the report’s AI Maturity Index, most gambling companies have strategic ambitions for AI but infrastructure and expertise need to catch up to scale it.

A Governance Gap. Governance scored lowest on the Maturity Index at just 30 out of 100. Only 1 in 5 companies have a dedicated AI governance role, and most organizations have no established policies or practices or are in early stages of development.

Generative AI Widespread, Agentic AI Lagging. While more than 80% of companies have embraced generative AI for tasks like content creation and insights, far fewer have moved into agentic AI—systems that can independently plan, decide, and take action. This slower adoption may reflect the high-stakes nature of gambling operations, where autonomous decision-making must carefully balance regulatory compliance, player safety, and operational risk.

Regulator-Industry Disconnect. Regulators and operators disagree significantly on where AI is being deployed. Regulators report limited visibility into licensee AI activity and low confidence in both licensee and regulatory oversight capabilities. Both regulators and operators agree that Responsible AI practices across the industry remain underdeveloped.

An Accelerating Innovation Pipeline. Academic publications, patent filings, conference sessions, and startup activity around AI in gambling are all growing, signalling that the ecosystem is building momentum even as adoption within companies remains uneven.

“What the data shows is a clear gap between ambition and execution,” said Rick Arpin, executive editor and KPMG U.S. gaming lead. “Governance is where that gap is most visible. With governance scoring just 30 out of 100 and most organizations lacking dedicated AI oversight, many companies are moving faster on AI adoption than on the controls needed to manage it. Those that address this now will be better positioned to realize value and avoid unnecessary risk.”

Simo Dragicevic, executive editor and AiR Hub co-founder noted, “The regulator-industry disconnect we uncovered is one of the most consequential findings in this report. Regulators believe they lack the capacity to properly oversee how AI is being used by licensees, and the data confirms they often have an incomplete picture. Meanwhile, Responsible AI practices across the industry are nascent at best. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in operations, this oversight gap will only become more urgent to address.” 

The report is available for free download here.

Upcoming Opportunities to Engage with the Report

Special Webinar – Late April 2026. The State of AI in Gaming team will host a dedicated webinar to walk attendees through the report’s key findings, methodology, and implications. The session will offer an opportunity to hear directly from the authors and ask questions. Full details, including registration information, will be announced soon at igiairhub.com/state-of-ai/.  

IGI Triennial Conference – Weds., May 27, 2026. The UNLV International Gaming Institute’s Gambling Risk Taking Conference will feature a dedicated track on The State of AI in Gaming. Across the day, report authors and contributors, as well as industry and regulatory representatives, will discuss the findings with sessions covering industry maturity, the regulatory landscape, responsible AI, and the innovation pipeline. The conference provides a unique forum to engage with the research, network with fellow stakeholders, and contribute to the ongoing conversation about AI’s role in the future of gambling. Registration and program details are available at https://www.unlv.edu/igi/conference.