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International Gaming Institute News

The UNLV International Gaming Institute (IGI) is committed to providing cutting-edge insights to the global gaming industry. IGI provides research and programs to more than 50 jurisdictions across the globe—to leaders in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

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Current International Gaming Institute News

Inaugural State of AI in Gaming Report Establishes Benchmark for AI Practice and Policy Across the Global Gambling Industry
Dice on a craps table
Research |

Report reveals operators and regulators with high ambitions but significant gaps in governance, oversight, and AI maturity.

UNLV Newsmakers 2026: February
Campus landscape
Campus News |

Some of the hottest headlines featuring UNLV faculty, staff, and students.

Reaching Beyond: UNLV Early Outreach Hosts Day Camps
Three young girls excitedly watch as one draws on paper with a crayon
Business and Community |

Annual initiative invites CCSD elementary students to explore entertainment, science, and college life — all in one unforgettable day.

Showing Up for the Community We Serve
two adults organizing and distributing food at event
Campus News |

UNLV community outreach programs offer practical learning opportunities for students while leveraging our resources to address societal needs.

UNLV Newsmakers 2025: November and December 
Fall 25 commencement2
Campus News |

A collection of the top news headlines featuring UNLV faculty and students.

The Interview: Eliza Wiggins
Eliza Wiggins in office with view of Las Vegas Strip
People |

For IGI's community programs manager, the answer is always 'YES' when it comes to supporting career development in youth.

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International Gaming Institute In The News

New Study Highlights Gaps in AI Use Across Gaming Sector
Gambling News

Whether operators and regulators can close that gap may determine how far and how safely AI reshapes the future of gaming

Under The Influence: Prediction Markets Are Harnessing Modern Joe Camels
InGame

An army of social media influencers attracts new bettors, new generation, new problems

University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ Gaming Institute AI Research Hub releases report on AI in gaming
CDC Gaming

Last year the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ Gaming Institute AI Research Hub started work on a paper that will have wide-ranging effects on the gaming industry. In collaboration with KPMG, the audit and tax firm, the release of the inaugural State of AI in Gaming Report is poised to establish benchmarks for AI use and policy in the gaming industry.

The gaming industry accelerates in artificial intelligence, but still struggles to turn it into tangible results
Yogonet

At a time when artificial intelligence dominates the global tech agenda, the gaming industry is starting to look beyond the hype and focus on what actually delivers business value. The “State of AI in Gaming 2026” report, developed in the United States by the UNLV International Gaming Institute through AiR Hub, in collaboration with KPMG, is based on surveys and interviews with operators, suppliers, regulators and startups across multiple markets. It offers one of the clearest snapshots to date of how AI is really being used — and, more importantly, where it is still falling short.

Prediction Markets Emerging as AI Innovation Driver, UNLV Study Finds
Covers

New research highlights prediction markets and AI-powered tools as central to the next wave of gambling industry innovation.

UNLV Study: Gambling Industry Has Work To Do With Artificial Intelligence
Casino Reports

Weaknesses galore identified in sector’s adoption of AI, especially by legacy casinos

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International Gaming Institute Experts

Brett Abarbanel
An expert in gambling and esports.
Megan O. Basson
An expert in global gambling regulation, policy, legislation, licensing, compliance, and enforcement.
Kasra Ghaharian
A global gaming expert specializing in online settings and AI applications, consumer protection, and payments modernization.
Bo Bernhard
An expert on gaming and society, Bernhard has been featured on CNN, The Discovery Channel, the BBC, and The History Channel.
Alan Feldman
A longtime industry executive and leading international expert on responsible gaming. 
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Recent International Gaming Institute Accomplishments

Tiange Xu, Mehmet Erdem, Brett Abarbanel, Shane Kraus
Tiange Xu (International Gaming Institute), Mehmet Erdem (Hospitality), Brett Abarbanel (International Gaming Institute; Hospitality), and Shane Kraus (Psychology) recently published a paper, "A Methodological Scoping Review for Video Analysis in Hospitality Research," in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights. This study reviewed 37…
Shane Kraus, Tiange Xu, Andrea Dassopoulos
Shane Kraus (Psychology), Tiange Xu (International Gaming Institute), and Andrea Dassopoulos (International Gaming Institute) have been awarded $312,239 from the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission's Responsible Gaming Grant program for their project "The Causal Impact of Sports Betting Promotional Offers." The research will provide…
Mana Azizsoltani, Jared Bischoff, Kasra Ghaharian, Ashok Singh
Mana Azizsoltani (Hospitality), Jared Bischoff (Hospitality), Ashok Singh (Hospitality), and Kasra Ghaharian (International Gaming Institute) published an open access article in the European Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Recreation titled: "A systematic review of machine learning applications in hotel occupancy forecasting."
Kasra Ghaharian, Mana Azizsoltani, Piyush Puranik
Director of Research Kasra Ghaharian (International Gaming Institute), along with co-authors Mana Azizsoltani (Ph.D. Hospitality, May 2024) and Piyush Puranik (Postdoctoral Scholar, International Gaming Institute), recently published a new original research article in the journal Public Health. The study, "Characterising online gamblers exceeding…
Tiange Xu
Tiange Xu (International Gaming Institute) published an op-ed titled, "I Study Gambling Addiction. I Still Got Hooked on Cryptocurrency." in The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS). The piece examines how personal experience with cryptocurrency trading revealed blind spots in understanding the risks and harms associated with…
Adrian Amezcua, Donavan Ross, Ishan Balaji
Master's students Adrian Amezcua, Donavan Ross, and Ishan Balaji (Counselor Education, School Psychology, and Human Services) have received a $3,000 grant from the Nevada Problem Gambling Project at UNLV's International Gaming Institute for their project titled, "An Examination of Adults’ Exposure to Online Gambling and the Impact of…
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