The National Council on Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) is hosting winter meetings in Florida to discuss ways to combat illegal gambling. West Virginia will be well-represented, as new NCLGS president Shawn Fluharty is scheduled to speak during the meetings.
There are several representatives in the gambling industry set to talk at the event, as well, which takes place from Jan. 3-6.
Topics to be discussed at NCLGS winter meetings
One of the most important topics brought up around gambling is the fight against non-regulated games. The Mountain State has nine WV online casinos and sportsbooks that are regulated by the West Virginia Lottery. It is important to note that the NCLGS does not promote or oppose gambling, but focuses on proper regulation and the best practices of the industry.
The details of the panel discussion have not been released yet. However, the conversation will consist of a host and four panelists. The roster looks like the following:
- Chris Kannady (host): Oklahoma Representative
- Eric Frank: CEO and Founder of Odds on Compliance
- Fredric Gushin: Spectrum Gaming Group President and CEO
- Lindsay Slader: GeoComply SVP Compliance
- Louis Trombetta: Florida Gaming Control Commission Executive Director
The meetings will also feature a talk about the future of horse racing and pari-mutuel tech options moving forward for bettors on Jan. 5. This panel will include a host and three speakers:
- Chris Cipolla (host): DraftKings Senior Director, Horse Racing
- Lonny Powell: CEO of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association and member of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia and Equine Authority Technical Committee
- Tom Sage: Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission Executive Director
- Paul Williams: CEO, 1/ST Technology
PlayWV will report on more topics when the official agenda is released closer to the meeting date.
Shawn Fluharty is among speakers at upcoming NCLGS gathering
Minority Whip in the West Virginia House of Delegates, Shawn Fluharty, took over as NCLGS president a few months earlier than expected, when Indiana Sen. Jon Ford retired in October.
Fluharty had already been a member of the NCLGS and was instrumental in adopting a 16-point responsible gambling resolution plan during the organization’s summer meetings in July.
He is scheduled to speak at the NCLGS meeting for the first time as president. The topics he’s going to address have not been made public yet.
Fluharty is one of many who are going to take center stage at the meetings. Here are some other confirmed speakers who haven’t already been listed:
- Rick Anthony: Deputy Executive Director, Ohio Casino Control Commission
- Jason Barrett: West Virginia Senator, NCLGS Treasurer
- Julie Imanuel Brown: Florida Gaming Control Commission Vice Chair and Commissioner
- Christie Carpino: Connecticut Representative, NCLGS Vice President
- Steve Geller: Founder and Counsel NCLGS; former Florida Senator
- Andromeda Morrison: Ohio Casino Control Commission General Counsel & Director of Skill Games
- Peggy Richardson: Missouri Gaming Commission Executive Director
- Gary Smith: Louisiana Senator
The NCLGS winter meetings are open to the public.
