ICE North America Digital: Day Two Highlights

-Expose – Senior legislators and regulators answer what COVID-19 means for sports betting and gambling regulations in the US.

Christopher Hebert, Gaming Division Director, Louisiana Attorney General's Office, Michigan State Representative Brandt Iden and Sandra Douglas, Chairwoman Nevada Gaming Control Board discussed what Covid-19 means for sports betting and gambling regulations in the U.S.

Michael Pollock, Spectrum Gaming Group Managing Director, said: "Our role is to ensure guidance to the gaming operators on COVID-19." He asked: "Looking at the rest of 2020 and beyond, what are the regulatory priorities in Nevada when it comes to gaming?
Sandra Douglas answered: "With regards to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, our aim is to foster not only the civility and the success of the gaming industry but also the public health and the safety of all of Nevada residents. We think it is incredibly important for us as regulators to inform our licencees the expectations and the new operational requirements that will be imposed to mitigate and reduce the exposure to COVID".

She emphasized the commmitment of the sector towards the reopening of the activities in Nevada. "Conversations with licensees have been very positive; everyone understands the importance of getting it right." With regard to e-sports, Sandra said that e sports events in Nevada will be strictly based on licensees demand.

Quick Take On: Gaming in Canada – re-opening and looking ahead at regulatory developments. Paul Burns, President & CEO, Canadian Gaming Association

Another talk was: What Can Virtuals and Esports Offer the Industry?
Following the suspension of mainstream sports around the world, there has been a well-publicised uptake in virtual products and esports betting. This expose focused on how headline sporting events have adapted since isolations around the world began focusing on the virtual versions of the UK’s Grand National and the world famous Kentucky Derby, as well as the 2020 eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series.

This session looked at whether these successes will truly take virtuals and esports to the betting mainstream.

Scott Warfield, Managing Director, Gaming, NASCAR, Steve Rogers, Chief Commercial Officer – Virtuals, Inspired Entertainment