Anthony Abrahamson, Online Poker and Casino Executive, Online Gaming Specialist

Experienced online poker and casino executive with direct C level experience on both sides of the iGaming business, software licensing and as an operator. Anthony is focused on profits in growth situations, identifying and mobilizing high performing teams, translating strategy and vision into successful organizational and revenue optimization. Anthony’s enjoys working in high growth global business initiatives. He has demonstrated success in operating and building out technology based businesses for a range of organizations in online gaming software licensing and operations.

Anthony has been in the Internet gaming business since 2004 when he joined the Tribeca Tables Poker Network as the VP of Operations and Legal. He was an integral member of the Tribeca Tables team steering the business and operational success of Tribeca Tables. Anthony was one of the key executives at Tribeca Tables and provided a unique contribution in preparing the company for sale to Playtech Ltd. (iPoker Network) in 2006/2007.

Recently, Anthony finalized a 3 year engagement with a successful New York City operated land based hotel and casino group with properties in Latin America. He set-up and lead their global iGaming business as the Director of Online Operations managing the online gaming business, licensing and operating the Playtech Casino and Poker platform.

Anthony has been a key member of the leadership teams responsible for managing all matters related to the iGaming business including overall management and global operations, project and process management, legal affairs and compliance. Additional experience includes banking and payment methods, affiliate management, HR, vendor selection and negotiation of vendor agreements.

Prior to the iGaming industry, Anthony was an attorney in South Africa. Anthony lives in New York City with his wife and two daughters.

John Acres, Founder, Acres 4.0

My career began in 1972 Las Vegas, where I learned the art of helping players to feel like winners, even while losing. I’ve since created 3 different companies where we invented player tracking and system bonusing. We earned dozens of patents, made a lot of money and had great fun.

Our industry’s focus has shifted away from player experiences and gratification. Today we think too much about hold percentages, game mixes and conquering new jurisdictions. Our player base is literally dying away because our tired ways just don’t appeal to younger consumers.

One day a few years ago, I realized I, too, was a technology addict. It has been a long road but I now proudly proclaim myself a ‘recovering engineer’. My newest company—Acres 4.0—focuses on human experiences. We’re about creating emotional gratification in that gray matter between each player’s ears. Technology is simply our stimulus mechanism.

If you’d like to learn more, I hope you’ll attend my session. All you need bring is an open mind.

Albe Angel, Chairman, Red Fish Media

Albert J. Angel ("Albe") is co-founder and chairman of Red Fish Media, a full-service mobile marketing and interactive services company with “can-do” specialization in identity verification, geo-targeting and secure payment processing. Albe is an entrepreneur and former U.S. Justice Department attorney with a string of interactive service company successes. For the past 30 years he has been active in helping to shape interactive services policy on a pro bono basis, typically in trade association leadership positions. He led public policy matters as the co-founder and Vice Chair of the Interactive Gaming Council, and provided expert testimony before the National Gambling Impact Study and other international, state and federal regulatory bodies. He holds several patents in the certified communications area and was awarded a Master of Laws degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Kim Arnold, Chief Operating Officer, The Innovation Group

Kimberly Arnold joined The Innovation Group of Companies as Vice President of Operations in 2008, and was promoted to partner and Chief Operating Officer last year. In her role as co-manager of the firm's Innovation Interactive practice, she contributes to the organization's industry-leading research specific to igaming, and is currently advising a number of domestic clients regarding their online strategy. Casino Enterprise Management recently recognized her among the "Great Women of Gaming" in 2012, and Global Gaming Business just named her among the "Top 25 People to Watch in 2013". She is also an affiliated member of International Masters of Gaming Law and actively supports the AGA's Global Gaming Women initiative. 2013 marks the third year that Ms. Arnold has worked to co-produce the iGaming North America event.

Joe Asher, CEO, William Hill US

Joe Asher has a long background in the gaming industry and a lifelong passion for the race and sports betting business. Starting when he was a teenager, Asher held management positions at several racetracks, including Brandywine Raceway, Dover Downs, Harrington Raceway and Foxboro Raceway and was the Wilmington News-Journal’s thoroughbred racing handicapper for Delaware Park. He became the youngest track announcer in North America, calling races at Harrington, Foxboro, Brandywine and Dover Downs. After relocating to Las Vegas, Asher later launched Brandywine Bookmaking, operator of Lucky’s Race & Sports Books, in 2008. William Hill completed its acquisition of Brandywine in June 2012 and named Asher as its CEO in the U.S. Previously, Asher was an attorney with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Asher is a graduate of the University of Delaware and Widener University School of Law, magna cum laude, served a judicial clerkship with the Supreme Court of Delaware and is admitted to the bar in Delaware and New York. He is also a member of the Advisory Council of the Center for Political Communication at the University of Delaware and Widener Law’s National Advisory Council. Asher has been featured in numerous media outlets, including The New York Times, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Philadelphia Inquirer, Wilmington News-Journal and CNBC.

Mark Balestra, Director, BolaVerde Media Group

Mark Balestra, 39, is the founder and director of BolaVerde Media Group. Over the span of 14 years, he has been an author, consultant, publisher, researcher and conference organizer with unmatched experience and expertise in the interactive gambling industry. He has been a presenter at numerous industry events and has been featured as an expert on Internet gambling by national and international media outlets, including The New York Times, Reuters, USA Today, ESPN, CNET, Wired magazine, and the Los Angeles Times. He is also a member of the Global Gaming Expo advisory board (2009 and 2010), a contributor of US policy analysis to Media & Entertainment Consulting Network and a frequent contributor to a variety of trade publications.

In 2006, Mr. Balestra was named one of Global Gaming Business magazine's "25 People to Watch" in the worldwide gambling industry. Prior to founding BolaVerde Media Group, Mr. Balestra ran publications and conference programs for River City Group and headed the publications department for London-based Clarion Gaming. In the span of 10 years with River City Group and three additional years with Clarion Gaming, Mr. Balestra was the publisher and co- creator of IGamingNews, editor and coauthor of Internet Gambling Report, creator of Gaming Industry Media, author of several syndicated industry studies and program organizer for River City Group's expansive portfolio of conferences, which included the Global Interactive Gaming Summit & Expo (GIGSE), the European iGaming Congress, the Asian iGaming Congress, the World Poker Congress, the iGaming In-Depth conferences and GamVest.

Atul Bali, President - The Americas, Aristocrat Technologies

Atul Bali joined Aristocrat as the President, Aristocrat Americas in June 2012. Atul brings a deep understanding of regulated lotteries, online gaming, and gaming technology. Previously, as CEO of the XEN Group, Atul oversaw the expansion of the Group’s portfolio of social media, data technology, online gaming and ecommerce businesses. Atul previously held leadership roles at Grupo Lottomatica, including President of the GTECH G2 division and Group SVP for Corporate Development and Strategy. A chartered accountant, Atul began his career with KPMG in the United Kingdom.

David C. Berman, Senior Managing Director, Head of Gaming, Lodging , Macquarie Capital

Mr. Berman is a Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Gaming, Lodging & Leisure at Macquarie Capital. Previously, Mr. Berman was the founder and CEO of REGAL Capital Advisors. REGAL was formed in February 2009 to provide industry-focused, discreet and conflict-free strategic and financial advice to companies in the Gaming, Lodging and Real Estate sectors. Mr. Berman's client base includes public and private companies in the casino (commercial and Native American), hotel, gaming technology, pari-mutuel, lottery, lodging and real estate sectors.

Previously, Mr. Berman was Managing Director and Head of Gaming, Lodging & Leisure investment banking at Credit Suisse. In addition, Mr. Berman supported the firm's efforts in other real estate-related sectors and financial sponsor coverage. Prior to joining Credit Suisse, Mr. Berman was Managing Director and Head of Gaming, Lodging & Leisure investment banking at CIBC World Markets and, before its acquisition by CIBC, Head of Gaming, Lodging & Leisure investment banking at Oppenheimer & Co.

Mr. Berman has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions advisory, having executed over 80 mandates with a combined transaction value exceeding $65 billion. In addition, he has advised clients in raising over $100 billion of debt and equity capital.

Mr. Berman serves on the Board of Trustees of the International Association of Gaming Advisors. In addition, he is a frequently featured speaker at gaming and lodging industry conferences.

Mr. Berman earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. Mr. Berman serves on the Board of Directors of Los Angeles Team Mentoring, a non-profit organization.

Peter Bernhard, Chairman, Nevada Gaming Commission

In 2010, Mr. Bernhard was appointed as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, with regulatory and policy-making authority over all Nevada gaming licensees. He was re-appointed to serve four-year terms beginning in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Prior to 2001, he served as a member and chairman of the Nevada Commission on Ethics. He has been a practicing attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada, since 1976, specializing in commercial litigation, reorganizations, and administrative law. Mr. Bernhard received his bachelor's degree in government from Harvard University in 1971 and his juris doctor degree from the National Law Center at George Washington University in 1975. He has served on various committees and organizations, including as a Nevada representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, as Chair of the United States District Court Magistrate Selection Committee, and as a member of the Nevada Supreme Court Advisory Committee to Review the Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure.

Prior to his appointment to the Gaming Commission, Mr. Bernhard's private law practice included gaming licensees and companies doing business with gaming licensees. At various times, he has represented casinos, bondholders, gaming manufacturers and creditors in chapter 11 proceedings. He has also handled purchases and sales of gaming properties, as well as civil litigation and other dispute resolution proceedings for and against licensed operators. Mr. Bernhard served as interim in-house counsel for a hotel/casino and for a gaming manufacturer, for short periods while a search was conducted to fill those positions on a permanent basis.

During his tenure on the Nevada gaming Commission, Mr. Bernhard has presided over the two largest combinations in Nevada gaming history (MGM-Mandalay Resorts and Harrah's-Park Place Entertainment), along with numerous licensing proceedings for newly-constructed facilities (Wynn, Red Rock Station, South Point).

Melissa Blau, Director, iGaming Capital

Melissa Blau has been in the Media, Technology & Finance sectors for 20 years and has been specifically in the online gaming sector for the past eight years as both an operator and advisor. In her current capacity, Melissa is an advisor focused on bridging US and European interests. Through her consulting company, iGaming Capital she has been advising mainly land based companies assisting in developing their online gaming strategy. Clients include Hard Rock Seminole, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Paragon Gaming, a multi-state casino group and Optimal Payments, amongst others. Prior clients include Bally Technologies, Sisal SpA, Antenna Group (Greece), and The Racing Post.

In addition to her current capacity, Melissa has been the Finance Editor and regular columnist for iGaming Business Magazine since 2006. Her column, titled the iGaming Global Top 20 Index, tracks the top 20 publically listed companies and gauges investor sentiment. She is also part of several leading expert networks where she speaks to funds on range of financially related topics relating to the online gaming sector.

Prior roles in online gaming include CFO of St Minver (acquired by GTECH), Operating Executive of Global Leisure Partners (boutique M&A advisor), CEO of Europa Point Group (acquisition vehicle that owned BetUK, Betrepublic, Betasia) and Investor and Director of Live Gaming Technology.

Prior to the iGaming industry, Melissa was a General Partner and founding member of Constellation Ventures, a $450m media technology venture capital fund in conjunction with Bear Stearns. Melissa has a B.A. from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Harvard University.

Michael Bolcerek, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Aristotle International

Senior Vice President of Business Development of Aristotle International

Stephen Boyle, Founder & CEO, Joingo

Stephen Boyle is a Founder and the Chief Executive Officer of Joingo. A visionary whose exceptional track record includes building businesses, producing and integrating new technologies, Mr. Boyle brings more than 25 years of experience on the leading edge of computer technology. As a co-founder and Vice President of Engineering at Unwired Planet, Phone.com and Openwave Systems, he was a pioneer of the Mobile Internet and was instrumental in developing many of the technologies that allow mobile devices to connect to the Internet today. Mr. Boyle’s passion for finding innovative ways to help customers transform their businesses by maximizing new market opportunities is genuine. During his career, he has been granted more than 12 patents in the domain of mobile/cellular data applications, with several more patents pending.

Joe Brennan, Jr., Director, IMEGA

Joe Brennan Jr. is a director of the Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association (IMEGA). Under his direction, IMEGA succeeded in the passage of legal sports betting and iGaming legislation in New Jersey.

Joe was previously Director of Strategy for America Online, Inc. (AOL) and Senior Editor/Manager of Internet Promotions and e-Commerce at Nextel (now part of Sprint). He online strategies and campaigns include Sirius, Time, CNN, Warner Brothers and People Magazine, as well as the NFL, NBA, NASCAR and Major League Baseball.

Jeff Burge, COO, Cantor Gaming

Jeff Burge joined Cantor Gaming as COO & CFO in April 2012. Cantor Gaming, based in Las Vegas, delivers a suite of innovative technology solutions to the global gaming industry. Jeff has spent his entire 18 year carreer in the integrated resort and global gaming business, holding various finance and operational roles. Jeff was most recently CFO at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, and prior to that held senior positions with Las Vegas Sands, Ameristar, and Harrah’s Entertainment. Jeff has a MBA in Finance and Information Systems from Vanderbilt University and a BA in Economics from Columbia University.

Paul Burns, Vice President, Canadian Gaming Association

Paul Burns is Vice President of Public Affairs for the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA). Recognizing the importance of a unified voice for the gaming industry in Canada, Mr. Burns was instrumental in establishing the CGA in 2005. Under his leadership as VP of Public Affairs, the association has grown to include the gaming’s leading operators, manufacturers, and suppliers nation-wide.

He has been responsible for the development of industry-wide programs and approaches, including, the release of the country’s most comprehensive study on the economic impact of gaming in Canada, and the expansion of the industry’s national annual gathering, the Canadian Gaming Summit.

Prior to his work with the CGA, Mr. Burns served as Corporate Compliance Officer for RPC Gaming, a Canadian-based gaming company operating a chain of gaming establishments in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also served as Vice President of Corporate Affairs for RPC Anchor Gaming, which worked with the Government of Ontario to develop charity casinos in the province.

Mr. Burns specializes in policy development and implementation, and has held key policy roles at all levels of government. As policy advisor to the Ontario Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations, he directed government initiatives in the gaming sector. This included the expansion of gaming in Ontario, in such areas as the introduction of slots at racetracks.

Following his time with the Province of Ontario, Mr. Burns served as Senior Advisor to the Mayor of Toronto, focusing on economic development and public transit issues. As a consultant with one of Canada’s leading public affairs firm, he counseled clients on a range of public policy and procurement issues. Mr. Burns is routinely asked to speak about the gaming industry at conferences and events both nationally and abroad.

Anthony Cabot, Partner, Lewis and Roca LLP

Mr. Cabot is a partner and Practice Group Leader of the Gaming Law practice group at the firm Lewis & Roca. His practice emphasis is on gaming law and Internet gaming, sweepstakes and contests. It also encompasses Administrative Law. Chambers Global 2009 awarded him the only "star" rating a gaming attorney has ever received.

Ed Comins, Chief Operating Officer, WatchandWager.com LLC

Ed Comins has around 20 years’ experience in the betting and gaming industry with Coral, Ladbroke Casinos, the Tote, and Tote Direct, where as Business Development Director he had overall responsibility for developing Totepool's off-track pari-mutuel business.

Mr.Comins joined Webis Holdings PLC and European Wagering Services Ltd in February 2007. He is a Board Director of Webis, listed on the London Stock Exchange, as well as being a Director of EWS. Ed Comins is also a Director of WatchandWager.com LLC, a company incorporated in Nevada, licensed by the North Dakota Racing Commission, and with offices in San Francisco. WatchandWager operates ADW websites, watchandwager and link2bet, as well as being the Licensed Operator of Cal Expo racetrack in Sacramento, licensed by the California Horseracing Board. Combined WatchandWager will be responsible for over $125m in co-mingled pari-mutuel wagering in its Financial Year 2012/13. Ed Comins relocated to California in January 2012 to run the WatchandWager business, and resides in Marin County, California.

John Connelly, Vice President of Business Development, Bally Technologies, Inc.

John Connelly is the Vice President of Business Development for Bally Technologies. In his role, Connelly oversees new business development and the Bally Interactive Division.

Connelly joined Bally Technologies in 2004 as Vice President of Governmental Markets and was promoted to Vice President of International Sales in 2005. From 2005 to 2010, he was responsible for all aspects of Bally’s international business, including sales and operations.

Connelly has more than 20 years of experience in the global gaming industry. Before joining Bally, Connelly served from 2001-2004 as Senior Vice President of Sales for Oberthur Gaming Technologies Corporation, the world’s largest printer of scratch-off lottery tickets.

Prior to that, Connelly held several high-level sales and marketing roles including serving as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Automated Wagering International, Inc. (AWI), a lottery systems provider, from 1995-1998, and serving as an Account Executive for GTECH Corporation from 1992-1995.

Connelly received a Bachelor of Science degree from Bryant College in 1992 and in November 2007 completed Harvard Business School’s General Management Program, a seven-week Executive Education program for executives who have demonstrated capabilities and proven leadership potential.

Neil Cornelius, CEO, Osage Gaming Enterprise

Neil has been a Chief Executive Officer or General Manager in the Indian Gaming Industry for the last 18 consecutive years. He is currently CEO for the Osage Nation Gaming operations in Oklahoma and has been since 2009.

For 6 years prior to that he was General Manager of Oneida Gaming Operations in Wisconsin. Both Tribes operate 7 casinos. He has also been General Manager for the Treasure Island Casino in Minnesota and the CEO for Shodaki Coyote Valley Casino in Northern California. He has accomplished unprecedented successes in profitability, organizational continuous improvement and leadership development at all locations.

Neil is also retired from a 20 year career with the IBM Corporation. Neil has enjoyed a technical management career that spanned the following: Industry Systems Automation, Telecommunications Advent, Disaster Recovery Development and Deployment, IT Outsourcing Development and IT Consulting.

Neil has a Master’s Degree - Organizational Management and a Bachelor’s Degree - Business Administration. He has Extensive Management training in all management disciplines via IBM Corporation's - Corporate Management Institute. Since 1988 Neil has been a Licensed Facilitator for Dr. Steven R. Covey's Leadership Center (now known as Franklin Covey).

Matthew Cullen, President, RocketPlay

Matthew Cullen is the President of RocketPlay, a leading cross platform developer of innovative and addictive social casino games (LuckyPlay Casino & Sportsbook and Paradise Slots). Matthew has extensive iGaming experience in both social and real-money gambling, first entering the space as the Vice President of Business Development & Strategy in the US at Betfair. RocketPlay is made up of a group of industry veterans from Kabam, 888.com, and bwin.party. His team at RocketPlay spent over a year developing the groundbreaking real-time sports betting platform and traditional casino games found in LuckyPlay Casino, which launched on Facebook and Zynga.com in September 2012 in a major publishing partnership with Zynga. The company’s first mobile casino game, Paradise Slots, was rolled out in January of 2013.

Jeff Danielson, State Senator, Iowa Senate

Iowa State Senator Jeff Danielson (D) is serving his third term.

His district includes Hudson, Cedar Falls and Waterloo in Black Hawk County, Iowa where he also continues his career as a professional firefighter with the City of Cedar Falls.

Jeff is chair of State Government committee. He is Vice-Chair of Appropriations, Veterans Affairs & Administration and Regulation budget committees. He is a member of Transportation and Economic Growth committees.

He earned a degree in Public Administration (summa cum laude) from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and a Master’s of Public Policy from UNI as well.

Jeff is a Navy veteran and makes his home in Waterloo, Iowa with his wife Kim and two children, Brendan and Erin.

Terry Debono, Partner, The Debono Group

Terry is an experienced senior executive and accomplished serial entrepreneur. He has led, founded, acquired and successfully sold a large number of businesses over the past thirty years. Terry is a founding partner at the Debono Group.

The Debono Group provides services to companies in the following sectors: Broadcast, Technology, Media, Entertainment and Gaming. Services include: Management Consulting, Strategy Development & Execution, Project Management, Research and Analysis, Interim Management Services, Debt and Equity financing, Mergers and Acquisitions.

Terry has been part of the Gaming industry for the past 15 years and he is a regular speaker and moderator at a wide variety of industry events worldwide.

Alan Denkenson, , Professional Sports Bettor

Alan "Dink" Denkenson is a veteran sports bettor who’s been at it for the past 41 years. While he’s fluent in all the sports, he’s well known for his vast knowledge and love of hockey (perhaps why he has time to consider speaking at this conference). He’s been featured in the book "Lay the Favorite" now out in movie form starring Bruce Willis. Dink offers up a view point of the consumer on whether expanded sports betting is a good thing and who the bettor would like to see operating it.

Michael Ellen, Director, Licensing & Strategy, Alderney Gambling Control Commission

Michael Ellen is Director of Licensing and Strategy within the executive management of The Alderney Gambling Control Commission. He is a qualified chartered accountant with extensive experience in the financial services industry both in the UK and internationally. Michael joined the Commission in 2005 as a senior inspector and in 2006 was promoted to chief inspector, retaining this position for five years.

Frank Fahrenkopf, President and CEO, American Gaming Association

Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. is President and CEO of the American Gaming Association (AGA) in Washington, D.C. In his role as chief executive of the AGA, Fahrenkopf is the national advocate for the commercial casino-entertainment industry and is responsible for positioning the association to address related regulatory, political and educational issues. A lawyer by profession, Fahrenkopf gained prominence during the 1980s, when he served as national chairman of the Republican Party during the presidency of Ronald Reagan.

Dan Fiden, Partner, Signia Venture Partners

Dan Fiden is a Partner at Signia Venture Partners, a venture fund founded by Playdom and Funzio founding investor Rick Thompson. Dan served as interim CEO of Wild Needle (sold to Zynga) and Playchemy (sold to Iddiction) and is a board director at Kihon Games, Idle Games and Super Evil Megacorp. Previously, Dan was general manager of the San Francisco studio of Playfish, a social game developer that was acquired by Electronic Arts. Prior to joining Playfish, Dan was Director of Game Development at Electronic Arts’ Pogo division. He also served as Creative Director of Emmy-nominated trans-media startup Spiderdance and at WMS gaming, a leading developer and manufacturer of casino gaming devices. He began his career in the game business at Jellyvision, serving as Creative Director on the You Don’t Know Jack series of games.

Adam Fong, Senior Director of Service Delivery , BMM Testlabs

Most recently Adam Fong worked as a Senior Engineer for the Nevada Gaming Control Board where he and his team were responsible for the testing, field trial and ongoing monitoring of all new gaming devices, including system based, system supported, and mobile gaming systems. Adam directly oversaw the first system based, system supported and mobile deployments in Nevada as well as the first floor-wide G2S deployments on the Las Vegas Strip.

Adam was also responsible for the development of the first set of technical standards for Interactive Gaming Systems in Nevada. As Senior Director of Service Delivery at BMM, Adam is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the BMM North American test lab which includes testing, audit, and field services for gaming devices, associated equipment and internet gaming systems.

Tony Fontaine, President, ProPick Racing

Tony Fontaine is the President of ProPick Racing, an Internet-based horse racing education and race selection service. ProPick’s professional industry analysts evaluate horse races and post the best wagering opportunities on our website.

In addition to online pari-mutuel wagering, Mr. Fontaine is focused on payment solutions for online wagering applications, specializing in retail and cash-based payment strategies to expand igaming markets to the un and under-banked market segment.

Mr. Fontaine received the Internet Innovator of the Year Award at the 3rd Annual symposium on Internet Gambling Law and Management, the "Most Innovative Product Award" from the River City Group and most recently received William Shatner’s "Heartbeat of America Award" for entrepreneurialism.

Mr. Fontaine has spoken extensively around the world at seminars and conferences sharing insights gained from over 30 years’ experience in marketing, sales and engineering in technology. He has over 15 years’ experience directly in igaming for companies including the Nevada Pari-Mutuel Association, Stronach Racing and Gaming, US Off-Track, IGT, Station Casinos and Bally Gaming, In addition to ProPick Racing, Mr. Fontaine is currently is the Executive Consultant for Gaming with InComm, a global leader retail financial services.

Kurt Freedlund, COO & General Counsel, Georgia Lottery Corporation

With nearly twenty years in the lottery industry, Kurt Freedlund is currently the COO & General Counsel of the Georgia Lottery Corporation (GLC). Since joining the GLC in 2004, Kurt has been actively involved in the daily operation of the lottery together with the oversight and implementation of several new initiatives. These initiatives have included the development and installation of GLC-operated lottery stores at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, the national effort to cross-sell Powerball and Mega Millions and currently, the GLC’s launch of igaming. Prior to joining the GLC, Kurt performed similar duties and responsibilities as Deputy Director and General Counsel of the Illinois Lottery and served as Acting Director for a period of time. Kurt was the personal assistant to Illinois Governor James Thompson for three years prior to earning his law degree from Northwestern University, where he also completed his undergraduate degree.

Mitch Garber, CEO, Caesars Interactive Entertainment

Mitch Garber joined Caesars Interactive Entertainment in 2009 as its first employee. He was hand-picked by the Board of Caesars Entertainment, to lead Caesars’ foray into the interactive space. Garber serves as the company’s CEO, leading all company initiatives.

He previously served as the CEO of PartyGaming, Plc, where he successfully led the market-leading online real money gaming company through a transition after the UIGEA law passed in October 2006. He has spent the last decade serving as CEO for private as well as public companies on Nasdaq, and the London and Toronto stock exchanges in the internet and e-commerce sectors.

Garber holds an undergraduate degree from McGill University and a law degree from the University of Ottawa. He spent more than a decade practicing law, including working with many leading U.S. land-based casinos and gaming equipment manufacturers.

Paul Girvan, Managing Director, The Innovation Group

Paul Girvan, Managing Director and Partner at The Innovation Group and Co-Manager of the company’s iGaming initiative. Paul has been involved. in land based gaming for over 20 years conducting various analyses primarily in the realm of market and financial feasibility. He has worked for operators, banks and lending institutions, and Tribal, City, State and national governments across the US and the world. In the last five years Paul has been advising operators, Tribes and providers on the potential market for iGaming in the US. Paul has conducted two national consumer surveys and numerous other primary research efforts in various states and regions throughout the US. His most recent primary research effort had been directed to landbased operators to provide a snapshot of where the US landbased industry currently stands with regard to iGaming, their preferences in relation to software, and the problems they have encountered in moving towards linking landbased casinos to an online presence. In addition to primary research Paul has advised clients on the structure and implementation of iGaming initiatives. Paul manages the New Orleans office of The Innovation Group.

Tom Goldstein, Partner, Goldstein & Russell

Thomas Goldstein is founding partner of Goldstein & Russell P.C., an appellate firm specializing in Supreme Court litigation, teaches Supreme Court Litigation at Stanford and Harvard Law Schools, and is the publisher of SCOTUSblog. Tom has argued 27 Supreme Court cases. Among various recognitions, he has been named one of the nation's 100 most influential lawyers (National Law Journal), the 90 greatest Washington lawyers of the past 30 years (Legal Times), and the 50 most influential people in Washington, DC (GQ).

Jonathan Griffin, Policy Associate, National Conference of State Legislatures

Jonathan Griffin is a policy associate at the National Conference of State Legislatures in Denver, Colorado. He has been with NCSL since 2009 and currently specializes in gaming, firearms, and court issues. He has been quoted by members of various print and radio media on these topics and recently published an article on Internet gambling legislation in State Legislatures magazine. Jon received his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2009. Prior to his time at NCSL, Jon worked as an editor in the Clerk’s Office of the Florida House of Representatives in Tallahassee, Florida.

Roger Gros, Publisher, Global Gaming Business

Roger Gros is publisher of Global Gaming Business magazine, the leading trade publication for the gaming industry. He has also been president of Casino Connection International, the magazines’ parent company since 2001. CCI also publishes Casino Design magazine, Tribal Government Gaming magazine, G2E Preview magazine and GGB News, the only weekly online magazine covering the gaming industry. Prior to joining CCI, Gros was president of Inlet Communications, an independent consulting firm. He was vice president of Casino Journal Publishing Group from 1984-2000, and was editor of Casino Journal, the National Gaming Summary and founding editor of Casino Player magazine. He was a co-founder of the American Gaming Summit (1995) and the Southern Gaming Summit (1994) conferences and trade shows. Gros was named “Businessman of the Year” for 1998 by the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, and was presented with the “Lifetime Achievement” honor at the 2012 American Gaming Association’s Gaming Communications Awards. Gros is also the author of How to Win at Casino Gambling, published in 1996 by Carlton Books, one of the best-selling gambling books ever. He is frequently quoted as an independent industry expert in the New York Times, the Las Vegas Sun and Review Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, New York Post, Newsweek, the Washington Post, Forbes and other major print media, and appeared on CNN, CNBC, ABC, NBC, ESPN, the Travel Channel, the Discovery Channel and other local television and radio outlets.

Dr. David Gutierrez, Head Data Scientist for Social and Mobile Games, Kontagent

Dr. David Gutierrez guides and advises Kontagent's customers in leveraging its products to allow them to optimize their social or mobile games and applications, in terms of acquisition, virality, retention, engagement, monetization or other metrics. He specializes in analytics for Social and Mobile Casino games, with a particular emphasis on technology innovation and entrepreneurship.

Before Kontagent, Gutierrez gained strong strategic management and leadership experience while designing and executing the national broadband plan for Colombia, a four-year, 2.8 USD Billion strategy to quadruple broadband Internet subscribers. In its first year, the Plan Vive Digital doubled the number of Internet connections nationwide, was awarded the Mobile World Congress GMSA Government Leadership Award and Dr. Gutierrez was personally decorated by the Colombian Government with the Manuel Murillo Toro medal for his contribution to the plan.

Before this, he worked at Cisco and obtained his PhD from Stanford, where he had a number of significant research contributions with 7 journal and 18 conference publications and a book co-authorship, "Broadband Optical Access Networks" by Kazovsky et al.

Charles Harper, Vice President of Business Development, Double Down Interactive

Charles Harper is currently the Vice President of Business Development for Double Down Interactive, a division of IGT, Inc. (IGT). As member of the executive management team he is responsible for the IGT Social Gaming Partner Program as well as strategic distribution partnerships with top tier companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Facebook, business strategy for globilization, and mobile distribution Previously, as General Manager of Business Development for GameHouse, the Casual Games Division of RealNetworks, Inc. (RNWK) Charles was responsible for developing, overseeing and inplementing business strategy, legal afairs and strategic partner management for the division including the mobile, social and online business units. This included running the P&Ls for all retail business and apternative platforms. Before Real, Charles was Vice President of Business Development and Screenlife, LLC, the makers of Scene It?, where he managed the acquisition of the content for the Scene It? games as well as launching Scene It? on the Mobile, Xbox, IPTV and online platforms and assisted with the successful sale of the company to Paramount. Prior to that, Harper worked at WildTangent where he managed the custom games business group working with partners such as Nike, McDonalds, General Mills, Microsoft, Intel and Anheuser- Busch. He started his career in gaming nearly 14 years ago at Real as a founder and head of Business Development for the then new RealArcade group, launching both the web site and the RealArcade client. He is credited as selling the first online in game advertisement. Prior to moving to games Harper managed sales teams in the professional services, media, advertising and technology sectors as well as working in advertising.

Bob Hays, VP Global Commercial Sales, Williams Interactive

Bob Hays as served as VP Global Commercial Sales for Williams Interactive, a wholly-owned subsidiary of WMS Industries Inc., since July 2012. In this capacity, Mr. Hays leads all commercial sales for the U.S. and international markets, including strategy development and customer relationship management.

Previously, Mr. Hays served as Executive Director WMS Gaming after joining the company in March 2009. As Executive Director, he was responsible for launching WMS Class II / Central Determination business followed by direct region management responsibilities for numerous jurisdictions including the country of Canada where Bob was responsible for WMS being selected as a qualified supplier to both British Columbia Lottery Corporation and Lotto Quebec’s online gaming entities PlayNow.com and Espacejeux.com.

Before joining WMS, Mr. Hays was VP, General Manager at GE from 2005-2008, and National Sales Manager from 1997-2002.

He is a 1986 graduate of College of Idaho with a liberal arts degree.

Gavin Isaacs, CEO, SHFL entertainment, Inc.

Gavin Isaacs joined SHFL entertainment as Chief Executive Officer in April 2011 and has over 13 years of gaming industry experience, including senior roles with worldwide gaming technology companies. Mr. Isaacs came to Shuffle Master from Bally Technologies where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for approximately five years. During his tenure at Bally Technologies, Mr. Isaacs was responsible for the company's worldwide Game Sales and Operations business including sales, marketing, product management, product development, manufacturing and customer support. Prior to joining Bally Technologies, Mr. Isaacs held senior roles at Aristocrat Leisure Limited including Head of Global Marketing and Business Development at their corporate office in Australia, Managing Director of their European subsidiary based in London, and oversaw the Americas as President of Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Before joining Aristocrat, Mr. Isaacs was a partner with the Australian law firm Phillips Fox.

Michael Jabara, Founder & CEO, oneLIVE inc

As an early Silicon Valley tech pioneer and long time Nevada resident, Michael has been fortunate over his 35+ years of experience to work with and for some of the great luminaries in the business, including Ken Oshman (ROLM), Nolan Bushnell (Atari, Pizza Time Theatre), Bill Gates (Microsoft) and Steve Cavallaro (Hard Rock Hotel, Travelscape, Station Casinos). He has founded six start-up companies and attracted the talented people that made them happen.

His latest company, oneLIVE inc, targets a vexing industry problem: how can tribal, ship-board and commercial casinos reach the next generation of 'connected consumers' and convert them into valuable, lifetime patrons? This new customer embraces a tech-centric lifestyle and land- and ship-based casinos are facing new competition in the digital revolution. This generation also prefers spending their time and money in clubs, by the pool, and in restaurants – and they’re glued to their mobile devices.

The oneLIVE™ solution: in a mobile world, why should table games be bolted to the floor? "Powered by oneLIVE™ extends the "live action" from attractive and personable dealers on the floor to smartphones and tablets everywhere - throughout the property, ship, or beyond to the online world, as permitted. With HD video, real cash gaming and hip mobile apps – along with the compliant casino-grade technology that makes it all happen – Powered by oneLIVE™ lets the games go wherever the player is.

Prior to this endeavor, Michael has a eclectic background as a serial entrepreneur: prior success in early telecommunications, the gaming and hospitality industry, high-end real estate development and as investment banker. He holds an M.B.A. from the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University, a B.S. in Business Administration from the Haas Business School at the University of California at Berkeley, investment banking registrations with FINRA and real estate licenses from the State of Nevada

Matthew Katz, CEO, CAMS, LLC

Matthew Katz is CEO of CAMS, LLC, a privately held company he independently financed and founded in 2012.

Mr. Katz has a well established career as a successful entrepreneur having founded and partnered in several other businesses and consulting firms prior to CAMS, LLC. While still in college he started his first successful business introduced a new interactive online gambling methodology. In 2000, Mr. Katz joined BK Global, the first company to develop a US legal Internet casino for a U.S. land-based casino owner. As CEO, his role included developing the casino strategy, providing disclosure to state gaming boards, managing marketing campaigns, establishing relationships with vendors, operations, accounting, and creating high-level strategic partnerships.

In 2005, Mr. Katz started Verifi, Inc., and serves as President and Chairman. Verifi offers business efficiencies and risk management services via proprietary technology and expertise to Tier 1 merchant businesses that accept credit card payments via e-commerce, mail order and even telephone order channels. Verifi employs over 85 people full-time and has been profitable since its inception. The company consistently recognizes double-digit growth in revenue month over month. Mr. Katz is at the helm of both companies, Verifi and CAMS, managing day-to-day operations and defining the strategic goals for the future.

Mr. Katz has been profiled by the NY Times, LA Times, Forbes, and Business Week to name a few. He is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in Economics and lives in Los Angeles.

For more information on Matthew Katz or CAMS, LLC please call 323.655.5789 or visit www.CentralAMS.com.

Matt Kaufman, Editor, PokerStrategy

Matt Kaufman is a writer, editor, and consultant in the online gaming industry. He works with several successful online poker training and affiliate sites and is an editor for PokerStrategy.com – the world’s largest online poker school and community with over 6 million users. Kaufman is heavily attuned to the needs of poker players because he is a serious player himself. His business and marketing experience stems from years spent on Wall Street prior to entering the gaming industry.

Vernon Kirk, Director, Delaware State Lottery

Vernon Kirk has been with the Delaware State Lottery since its start-up in 1975, beginning as Administrative Assistant to the Director. He subsequently served in a variety of operational, financial and administrative management capacities prior to his appointment as Director in October 2011. Kirk has received the Delaware Award for Excellence in State Service from Governor Jack Markell and was cited by both chambers of the Delaware General Assembly for his leadership during the development and successful implementation of the State’s ventures into sports wagering and table games at Delaware’s three racinos.

Kirk currently serves as Vice-Chair of the MegaHits product group, a multi-jurisdictional, progressive video lottery game administered under the auspices of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). He has a degree in Political Science/Public Administration from the University of Delaware.

Chris Krafcik, Research Director - North America, GamblingCompliance

Chris, 31, is research director, North America, at GamblingCompliance. He has more than six years' experience researching the U.S. gambling market, focusing on the interplay between politics, economics and regulation in the country's ongoing debate over Internet gambling legalization. He has featured in ESPN, the Las Vegas Sun, the Minnesota Star Tribune, Indian Country Today and other media outlets as an expert on U.S. Internet gambling policy. He has also led GamblingCompliance research efforts into the social gaming sector and was lead author of its October 2012 social gaming white paper. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psychology from The University of Dayton (cum laude) and a First Licentiate’s Degree in philosophy from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (cum laude).

Paul Lauzon, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Ipsos, Gaming and Lottery

Paul Lauzon is a Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Ipsos Reid’s Lottery and Gaming practice. Paul’s core responsibilities include managing the specialized team of researchers in the Lottery and Gaming practice, providing senior strategic advice on key accounts, representing Ipsos at key lottery and gaming industry conferences, and steering the direction for R&D within the group.

While leading the Lottery & Gaming team from Ipsos, Paul has been involved in the design and implementation of ad hoc and on-going market research programs for provincial and state lotteries, casinos, and vendors across North America. He has worked extensively on segmentation studies, segment tracking, corporate image, customer satisfaction and evaluation studies, as well as product testing campaigns using advanced analytics such as discrete choice modeling, paired-choice analysis, and different segmentation algorithms.

Robin Le Prevost, Director of eCommerce Development, Alderney eGambling Limited

Director of eCommerce Development of Alderney eGambling Limited

Joel Leonoff, President & CEO, Optimal Payments

Joel serves as executive director and President and CEO of Optimal Payments PLC (Listed on the AIM exchange on the LSE), a company formed through the merger of NEOVIA Financials (Neteller) and Optimal Payments. Joel is an entrepreneurial leader and visionary, with a proven track record, having served as CEO, COO and CFO of private and publicly traded companies. Joel created the E-Commerce powerhouse BCE Emergis through the merger of Mpact Immedia Ltd with Bell Canada Enterprises. He later founded SureFire Commerce Inc. (renamed Terra Payments), a Canadian TSE-listed payments company in 1998, where he served as COO and CFO. Surefire Commerce later merged with the Optimal Group to form Optimal Payments Inc., a NASDAQ listed on-line payments company. Mr. Leonoff has also previously served as Group Operations Director/COO of Partygaming PLC, a FTSE 100 Company, regarded as the leading on-line gaming company in the world.

Katie Lever, General Counsel & Executive Vice President, SHFL entertainment, Inc.

Ms. Lever is General Counsel and Executive Vice President of SHFL entertainment, Inc., a leading global gaming supplier focused on creating innovative solutions and services for casinos and compelling gaming experiences for players. Ms. Lever is responsible for all legal and regulatory matters related to SHFL entertainment's multi-faced operations, including management of its legal, intellectual property and compliance departments and providing strategic legal advice for the company's growing international and iGaming business.

Prior to joining SHFL entertainment, Ms. Lever was General Counsel and EVP of Global Cash Access, the gaming industry's largest cash access provider, and prior to that was a partner with the Las Vegas law firm Schreck Brignone (now Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck), where she practiced transactional, commercial and corporate law for many of the largest gaming operators. Before joining Schreck Brignone, Ms. Lever practiced in Canada representing high-tech and bio-tech companies in private and public equity transactions.

She is a member of the State Bar of Nevada, The Law Society of British Columbia and is currently the Secretary of the International Association of Gaming Advisors.

Michael Lightman, Vice President of Business Development, Scientific Games

Michael Lightman is Vice President of Business Development for Sciplay at Scientific Games – a global leader in the lottery and gaming industries. Through its Sciplay solutions suite Scientific Games delivers fully compliant internet and mobile gaming solutions that integrate retail partners and generate revenue for regulated gaming entities – including lotto/draw, electronic instant tickets, poker, bingo, casino and sports. Mike has over 20 years experience in the lottery and interactive gaming industries. Prior to joining Scientific Games, Mike spent more than five years as Vice President of Sales for GameLogic, an original pioneer in the field of Internet-based player loyalty for the regulated gaming industry. GameLogic was purchased by Scientific Games in July 2010. Previously, Mike was Vice President, Operations at Dreamport, Inc., a wholly-owned gaming technology and services subsidiary of GTECH Corporation.

Steve Lipscomb, Founder, WPT

Steven Lipscomb founded the World Poker Tour in 2002 and remained its CEO until 2009. He took the company public on the NASDAQ exchange in 2004 with his partner Lyle Berman and sold the tour and its assets in 2009 to PartyGaming. As CEO of the remaining company, Lipscomb orchestrated a merger and spin-off into two publicly traded oil and gas companies (Emerald Oil and Gas and Black Ridge Oil and Gas).

While at the World Poker Tour, Lipscomb organized, launched and filmed the first televised poker tour in the history of the game. In the first season of the WPT (2002), he wrote, directed and produced every episode – creating the WPT format which, for the first time ever, added live fiction and interactive hole-card graphics to televised poker – making the game play like a sport. The WPT format continues to be used in all event-based poker programming around the world. Over the course of eight seasons, Lipscomb directed and produced hundreds of hours of programming. Under Lipscomb’s leadership as CEO, in 2004, the WPT became the first internationally distributed poker television franchise– growing large audiences in countries with no poker television history and virtually no land-based poker, including France, Sweden, Germany and Latin America. The WPT was distributed in over 130 markets world-wide within two years. The consumer products program launched by Lipscomb and the WPT helped build the global poker merchandise market. In 2005 the World Poker Tour received the licensing industry’s most coveted and prestigious award from the International Licensing Industry Merchandiser’s Association (LIMA) when it was awarded the "Best Sports Brand License of the Year".

In 2012, under the banner of his Santa Fe based company, Practicrats LLC, Lipscomb led a formal process to identify and sign a long-term online gaming partner for the Landry’s entertainment/gaming group and its Golden Nugget brand.

Leslie Lohse, Chairwoman, California Tribal Business Alliance

Leslie Lohse has served as Tribal Council Treasurer of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians of California since 1998. Over this period, she participated in putting together the Paskenta Band's purchase of over 2,000 acres in Tehama County, the tribe's aboriginal territory. She was instrumental in getting this land federal government trust status and then completing the construction of a 70,000 square-foot casino that includes three restaurants. Her tribe has successfully negotiated leasing transactions with private investors that have brought two new hotels and a private hunting club to the tribal lands. In the October 2007 the John Daly signature 18-hole, links style championship course was opened to the public.

Leslie has chaired and sat on numerous committees over the years (US Bureau of Indian Affairs Central California Agency Policy Committee, National Tribal Budget Advisory Committee, Pacific Region Representative, Chairperson, National Congress of American Indians Executive Committee, Vice-President, National Caucus of Native American State Legislators, Tribal Representative, CALFED Bay Delta Advisory Committee, Member, CALFED Environmental Justice Subcommittee, Co-Chairperson, and, California Film Commission, Member) and currently serves on the California Native American Heritage Commission, California International Relations Foundation, and Tehama County Girls, Inc.

Mickey Lucas, President, Defero

As President of Arizona-based Defero (a digital brand management agency), Mickey Lucas is active in business development, directing sales development, identifying opportunities for growth and is responsible for mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Lucas wears a lot of hats at Defero, but is best known for his efforts in sales, with specific success in selling gaming products, working with OEM’s in the gaming industry and creating powerful interactive campaigns for casino operators that focus on digital messaging to segmented target audiences.

Mr. Lucas has nearly 25 years of past business ownership under his belt. He was the previous owner and president of Intraform, Inc., a national leader in B2B commerce.

Mr. Lucas earned a BS in Business from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1982. His background includes nearly three decades of work in marketing communications and technologies related to the media business. Mr. Lucas was a 7 year member of Vistage (an international organization of business owners).

Stephen Martino, Director, Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency

Stephen Martino has served as director of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency since 2010. He is the chief executive officer of the world’s 15th largest lottery based on per capita sales and has oversight of commercial casino gaming in the state. He oversees efforts to market, promote and sell lottery products, including two twice-daily numbers games, two monitor games, national and state jackpot games, and instant tickets. Martino also directs development of Maryland’s gaming regulatory framework and supervised the opening of the state’s first three commercial casinos. From 2005-2010, he served as executive director of the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission. Martino has emphasized the importance of responsible gambling awareness and problem gambling treatment and has promoted education and programming about each. He is an attorney and served as a Kansas special assistant attorney general. He has bachelor degrees from the University of Kansas and a law degree from Washburn University.

Matt McKenna, President & Founder, Red Fish Media

When it comes to mobile strategy and execution, Matt McKenna, Red Fish Media’s President and Founder, continues to establish himself as a leader in the industry. His goal of dominating the mobile marketing and application space is not just a lofty ambition, it’s a part of McKenna’s daily strategy.

McKenna has helped grow the company into a well-established mobile marketing and digital agency responsible for executing successful national mobile marketing campaigns for brands like Microsoft, Nike, MGM Resorts International, HP, Anheuser-Busch, Fox News, American Apparel, HCA, Mazda, Guitar Center, Heineken, Wrigley, Family Dollar, P&G, M&M’s, Kellogg’s, BBC America, Saks Fifth Avenue, Coach, Subaru, Perry Ellis and many more.

With the increasing popularity of mobile space, McKenna’s roles have expanded to include published author and speaker at conferences and industry shows, like SXSW, CTIA Wireless, Sundance Film Festival, The Mobile Show, Dubai, The Globe Forum in Stockholm, CES International and the Tweet House, to name a few. He has also become a go-to expert for the media when it comes to explaining cutting-edge effective and engaging mobile strategies. He is featured in The New York Times best-selling book “Get Rich Click!” and has appeared in a multitude of major publications and several national and international television programs.

Sanford Millar, Attorney, Law Offices of Sanford I. Millar

Sanford I. Millar is a Certified Specialist in Taxation Law, State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization, and is admitted to practice before all courts in the State of California and the United States Tax Court.

Mr. Millar is rated AV® PreeminentTM 5.0 out of 5 by Martindale-Hubbell, and named a Southern California Super Lawyer 2006–2012 (Los Angeles Magazine/Law & Politics Magazine). Based in Los Angeles, where he has practiced for since 1974, Mr. Millar has represented clients in diverse businesses in domestic and complex cross-border transactions including internet gaming companies and native American tribes. He is skilled at international tax planning and international tax controversy and compliance matters for entrepreneurial companies, high net worth individuals, ex-patriot executives, permanent residents and dual nationals He is frequently consulted as an expert on business, internet gaming and taxation law matters.

Mr. Millar is a Commissioner on the Taxation Law Advisory Commission of the State Bar of California. He is chair of the Tax Policy, Practice and Legislation Committee of the State Bar of California. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the International Law Committee of the State Bar of California. He is Chair of the Executive Committee of the International Law Section of the Beverly Hills Bar Association. He is a past instructor at UCLA Extension where he taught partnership taxation law. He has served as an instructor at the University of Southern California, Graduate School of Business, Leventhal School of Accounting, and at California State University Northridge, in the Masters in Science in Taxation program.

Mr. Millar earned an A.B degree in 1971 from the University of Southern California in International Relations, a Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law in 1974 and a Masters in Business Taxation from the University of Southern California, Graduate School of Business in 1982.

Bobby Moak, State Representative, Mississippi House of Representatives

State Representative

Matteo Monteverdi, Senior Vice President of iGaming , GTECH Corporation

As Senior Vice President of iGaming for GTECH Corporation, Matteo Monteverdi is responsible for the Company’s global interactive strategy. He is focused on designing the delivery strategy and leading innovation within GTECH.

Monteverdi brings more than 20 years of international marketing and interactive experience to GTECH. He joined GTECH from Lottomatica’s Italian operations where he was the Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing Services and President of Lottomatica Betting & Interactive. Prior to Lottomatica, Monteverdi worked with Promptu System Corp, a mobile software startup in Palo Alto, California, and he was a venture partner with Innogest Capital, the largest early-stage Venture Capital firm in Italy.

Monteverdi gained experience in consumer services and transportation at the third-largest European railway company, FS/Trenitalia. Prior to this, he worked at Ford Motor Company in London where he managed the European Ford branded B2C Internet portals.

Monteverdi holds an MBA in General Management from SDA Bocconi University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Law from the University of Milan.

Collin Moshman, Leader, Team Moshman Staking and Coaching

Collin Moshman graduated from the California Institute of Technology with an honors degree in theoretical math prior to becoming a professional online poker player. He is the author of best-selling poker strategy books Sit 'n Go Strategy, Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em, and The Math of Hold'em. Collin is the head of the international staking and coaching group Team Moshman, and is a lead video instructor for Cardrunners and Pokerstrategy. He lives in Las Vegas and Mexico with his wife Katie Dozier, a professional tournament poker player, with whom he co-wrote Pro Poker Strategy and The Superuser.

Vin Narayanan, Editor-in-Chief, Casino City

Vin Narayanan is the Editor-in-Chief for Casino City, one of the gaming industry's top news and information providers. He is an authority on the political, legal and regulatory landscape regarding the online gambling industry, and is frequently called on by news organizations such as NPR to serve as an industry expert. He is also the editor of Casino City's Internet Gambling Report, which provides a nation-by-nation look at the legality of online gaming. He has been covering the online and land-based gaming industries since 2006. Before joining Casino City, Vin covered (not all at the same time) sports, politics and elections, wars, technology, celebrities and the Census for USATODAY.com, USA WEEKEND and CNN.

Daniel Negreanu, Professional Poker Player, Team Pokerstars

Daniel Negreanu is one of the most successful and recognized poker players in the world. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Negreanu has played poker since he was a teenager, and professionally his entire adult life. In 1998, he won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, and went on to win three others in 2003, 2004 and 2008 respectively. As of 2012, his live tournament winnings exceed $16,000,000.

In 2007, Negreanu signed with PokerStars, the world's largest online poker room, to represent the site. While the transition from live poker to online has been historically challenging for many seasoned live pros, Negreanu became a dedicated and successful online player. He recently tweeted that online poker is "so much more enjoyable than live poker."

He has written several books and articles on poker strategy, and provides popular commentary on the online poker world via his tweets, video blogs and his website/forum Full Contact Poker. Today, Negreanu divides his time between Las Vegas, where he resides, and Canada, to keep playing online. He also travels all over the world to play live poker tournaments.

Gian Perroni, iGaming Consultant, American iGaming Solutions

Gian Perroni has been working in the online gaming industry since 1997, active in every area of online operations. He has been involved in the successful start-up, management and sale of several gaming companies, and has also worked as both an affiliate, and affiliate manager. Currently Gian works as a consultant to the U.S. land-based casino industry with American iGaming Solutions, and is the owner of AffPoint, an affiliate industry resource centre. He is a frequent speaker at international gaming conferences, and a regular contributor to industry publications. Gian is based in Vancouver, Canada, where he lives with his wife and 2 children.

Jon Ralston, Host, Ralston Reports

Jon Ralston is a 25 year veteran of political reporting and was named one of the Top 50 "Politicos to Watch" by Politico. He hosts the program "Ralston Reports" which carried on the NBC affiliates in Nevada and regularly appears on national television, including programs on MSNBC, FOX and PBS. He wrote for the Las Vegas Review-Journal for 15 years, the last seven as a freelance columnist. In 1999, the Greenspun Media Group purchased his political newsletter The Ralston Report, and he worked for that company, publishing columns in the Las Vegas Sun, until September 2012.

Geoff Read, Chief Executive, Mfuse

Chief Executive with Mfuse

Valerie Red-Horse, Founder, Red-Horse Financial Group, Inc.

Valerie Red-Horse holds seven securities licenses and has more than 30 years in-depth experience in the financial services and investment banking industry including debt restructuring, taxable issuance, private placements, municipal issuance, high yield bond transactions, leveraged finance and management turnaround with a specialized expertise in the tribal and gaming sectors. Red-Horse has led over fifty financial mandates totaling in excess of $2 billion dollars and has assisted/advised tribal governments in transactions ranging from $1 million to $700 million.

Red-Horse is owner/founder of Red-Horse Financial Group Inc., offering securities through Western International Securities, Inc., and previously served as Chairman and CEO of two Wall Street investment banks. Ms. Red-Horse has been requested to testify, as a professional expert, regarding tribal finance, for both State and Federal Legislative bodies.

Red-Horse earned a B.A. with Cum Laude honors from UCLA, has been profiled in cover stories for the WALL STREET JOURNAL, FORTUNE SMALL BUSINESS and MINORITY BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR and in 2008 was inducted into the National Association of Women Business Owners’ Hall of Fame.

Recognized as a leading industry expert, Red-Horse, of Cherokee heritage, is a well-known columnist for various gaming publications and is the host of Casino Enterprise Management’s live internet talk show, "Native American Gaming".

Terry Rich, CEO, Iowa Lottery

Terry Rich is the CEO of the Iowa Lottery, appointed by Iowa's Governor in February of 2009. Prior to that, he was CEO of Iowa's Blank Park Zoo; President and CEO of Rich Heritage Inc., a national marketing and television production company which produced shows for HBO, ESPN and Comcast, among others; and Vice President of Marketing for Heritage Communications Inc.

Terry has won numerous entrepreneurial and leadership awards in television production and marketing, has a Bachelor of Science in Speech from Iowa State University, and is a member of the ISU Board of Governors and ISU Journalism Department Advisory Council.

You may have seen him on national television as a lottery industry expert on CNN's Piers Morgan show, a movie host on Starz! or as a panel guest on "Johnny Carson's Tonight Show."

As an Iowa entrepreneur in the '90s, Terry developed Rich Heritage Inc., along with four other companies including radio station KBBM, US Digital Video, Newsletter Ease, and the World Championship Socker League, LLC. As CEO of the Iowa Lottery, Terry leads Iowa's $300 million dollar enterprise, which generates more than $70 million in profits for vital state projects. He also serves on the board of Powerball and is treasurer of the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries which represents all lotteries in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Tim Richardson, Vice President Business Development, InComm

Tim brings over 10 years of Prepaid product and marketing development experience focused primarily in the retail and payment solutions industries. In his current role, he leads the Financial Services division with the focus on developing and enabling alternative payment tools for the consumer market. In this role, Tim is responsible for managing the General Purpose Reloadable, Open Loop Gift Cards and emerging payment solutions encompassing both third party products as well as the InComm Vanilla Suite of solutions. Prior to his current role, Tim led the Telecommunication division at InComm and was the Vice President of Business Development for NetSpend Corporation.

Michael Ritter, Senior Vice President, SGN (Social Gaming Network)

Senior Vice President of SGN

Steve Rittvo, Chairman & CEO, The Innovation Group

Steve Rittvo has earned a reputation as the most sought-after advisor in the gaming and entertainment industry. Mr. Rittvo has contributed to thousands of financial, management and planning projects throughout his thirty-two years as a professional, and as Chairman/CEO of The Innovation Group of Companies, his client list includes the world’s most successful online and land-based gaming/racing operators (public, private and Native American), leading financial institutions, private equity interests, and high-profile government agencies. Recent involvements include assignments for leading proponents in North America including tribes, governments and potential operators in states such as California, Florida, New Jersey, Minnesota and two Canadian provinces.

Mr. Rittvo’s experience and depth of understanding of the industry have been shared in such diverse roles as a financial/economic advisor, investment banker, expert witness, legislative consultant, board member, published author, conference speaker and transportation engineer.

In 2009, Mr. Rittvo’s achievements and broad sphere of influence were recognized by Global Gaming Business Magazine with his inclusion among the "Top Ten Most Influential People in the Gaming Industry". Mr. Rittvo recently worked with Reed, the AGA and his partners on the iGaming North American 2011 Conference to strategize and produce the 2010 (inaugural year) of the iGaming Congress at G2E.

Jason "Wolf" Rosenberg, CEO, American iGaming Solutions

Mr. Rosenberg has more than 10 years of online gaming industry experience and has provided expertise and strategic solutions to over 50 online gaming operations. Based in Las Vegas, his focus is now on the American iGaming landscape. In addition to operational consulting, Mr. Rosenberg specializes in affiliate program direction, management, and marketing, as well as customized player acquisition, conversion, and retention programs.

Mr. Rosenberg has educated dozens of land-based casino operations, regulatory, and gaming industry service provider teams, and he regularly speaks at several conferences and educational boot camps around the United States and Europe.

Rob Rosette, Founder, Rosette, LLP

Mr. Rosette is a Tribal Member from the Chippewa-Cree Tribe from Rocky Boys, Montana. He is the owner of Rosette, LLP, which is a law firm exclusively representing Indian Tribal Governments in all facets of federal Indian law, including finance, commercial transactions, economic development, gaming and litigation.

Having obtained a Masters of Business Administration in finance, Mr. Rosette maintains a unique and keen understanding of financial transactions, which is evidenced by over $4 Billion in economic development and governmental infrastructure projects for over 30 tribes in eight States. Mr. Rosette's extensive experience also includes all areas of gaming for both brick and mortar and Internet gambling ventures. Mr. Rosette has successfully negotiated dozens of gaming compacts and has overseen the development, management and financing of tribal casinos in several states throughout the country. Mr. Rosette has been involved with Internet gaming issues pursuant to the IGRA since 1997. He has represented Indian tribes with the successful launch of Internet gaming websites for Class II bingo and poker.

Mr. Rosette brings legal ingenuity and creativity in developing and defending economic development diversification projects by utilizing Tribal sovereign attributes (e.g.: enabling legislation, regulation, value adding), which allows his Tribal clients to pursue opportunities in unique business ventures such as internet payday lending, pharmaceutical distribution, gasoline distribution, and cigarette manufacturing and distribution. Mr. Rosette's litigation experience includes Indian tribal cases involving public interest and civil rights.

Mr. Rosette was recently distinguished as one of "2013's Top 25 People To Watch In The World" by Global Gaming Magazine.

May Scheve Reardon, Executive Director, Missouri Lottery

May Scheve Reardon has served as the executive director of the Missouri Lottery since December 2009. As the first woman to hold this position, Reardon brings extensive leadership experience from the financial, nonprofit and government sectors, including serving 12 years as a Missouri state representative. Reardon previously worked as an assistant vice president at Regions Morgan Keegan, a private wealth management firm in St. Louis, and she was also director of development at the Richard A. Gephardt Institute for Public Service at Washington University in St. Louis. In addition, Reardon taught political science and communications at Webster University from 2005 – 2009. Reardon holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Saint Louis University and a master’s degree in communications from Webster University. Reardon currently lives in St. Louis with her husband, Tim, and their three children.

Sue Schneider, Founder, eGamingBrokerage.com

Sue Schneider is one of the world’s leading experts on the internet gaming industry which she began monitoring in 1995. Starting as an owner of leading gaming consumer portal from '95-'99, she then launched River City Group, which produced the largest i-gaming events in the world as well as key industry trade publications, such as iGamingNews.com and the Internet Gambling Report.

In July, ’06, River City Group was purchased by Clarion Events, one of the UK’s largest event producers and Schneider remained as CEO/Americas there until July ’08. She remains the principal of www.egamingbrokerage.com and consults on a variety of other independent projects in the industry.

Schneider was a founder and served as Chairman of the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC), a trade association, from its inception in l996 until 2004. She currently serves as Editor-at-Large for Liebert Publications’ Gaming Law Review and Economics. In addition, she’s a partner with two US-based conferences: www.igamingnorthamerica.com and www.dglpsummit.com.

She is a frequent speaker at international gaming conferences and has testified to both the US Senate, the US House of Representatives as well as the National Gambling Impact Study Commission in that country.

William Scott, Vice President, GTECH G2

Vice President at GTECH G2

Nicky Senyard, CEO, Income Access

As Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Income Access, Nicky Senyard has proven herself to be a visionary entrepreneur and distinguished corporate leader. A pioneer of the iGaming affiliate marketing industry, Nicky has driven notable enterprise growth and unparalleled expansion every year since 2001. An instantly recognizable and respected member of the iGaming community, Nicky often attends and actively participates at industry conferences and events, and looks forward to the opportunity to contribute to the industry’s continued success and growth.

Andrew Solomon, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Bank of America Merchant Services

Andrew Solomon currently is the Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for Bank of America Merchant Services. His focus is working with providers and VARS to help facilitate new revenue streams and partnerships. Previously Andrew was at First Data where he managed their Mid Market Sales team for three years.

Prior to coming to First Data Andrew had a long tenure with Teammates Commercial interiors a local Colorado business. Not only did Andrew hold the position of Principal but he assisted with sales management and sales.

Andrew currently lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife Dananne and their three girls.

Katherine Spilde, Associate Professor in the School of Hospitality a, San Diego State University

Katherine Spilde, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at San Diego State University (SDSU), where she also serves as Endowed Chair of the Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming. In her role as Sycuan Chair, Dr. Spilde is responsible for managing the nation’s first four-year degree program in tribal gaming. Previously, she was the Executive Director for the Center for California Native Nations at the University of California at Riverside (UCR), where she oversaw the first state-level impact study of Indian gaming in California. Before moving to California, Katherine was a Sr. Research Associate at the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development. Prior to her appointment at Harvard, she was the Director of Research for the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), an association of 184 tribal governments based in Washington, D.C.

She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Hawaii (1991), a Master of Arts from the George Washington University (1993), a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of California in Santa Cruz (1998) and a M.B.A. in entrepreneurial management from the University of California in Riverside (2007.)

John Tahsuda, Principal, Navigators Global

John Tahsuda is a Principal of Navigators Global LLC, where he leads Navigators’ tribal affairs practice providing advocacy and counsel on a range of tribal affairs policy issues, including gaming, tax initiatives, tobacco sales, land-into-trust issues, health care, economic development, energy policy, federal recognition and self-governance.

Most recently, Mr. Tahsuda was Staff Director of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, where he was responsible for federal Indian policies affecting gaming, federal recognition, self-governance and health care. Previously, Mr. Tahsuda was the General Counsel and Legislative Director of the National Indian Gaming Association.

Additionally, Mr. Tahsuda has served as general counsel and outside counsel to Indian tribes and tribal organizations, as well as also serving as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Cornell Law School. Mr. Tahsuda is a member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, and received a J.D. from Cornell Law School and a B.S. from Oklahoma State University.

Lisa Tenner, President, Tenner and Associates, Inc.

Lisa Tenner, founder of Tenner and Associates, Inc., a Las Vegas based branding and marketing company, focuses on talent-building and brand marketing skills in the Gaming/ Entertainment corporate world. Recently named a visionary in both entertainment and gaming by Global Gaming Magazine, Ms. Tenner was also awarded "Event Pro" by her peers in the Live Event performance arena. She is the recipient of the Nevada Governor's Tourism Award and takes pride in having created "The Queens of Heart", as the charitable arm for the Ladies Event during the World Series of Poker. Her accomplishments include the creation and production of Emerging Artists and Technology in Music, which launched the careers of many unsigned artists to major labels. Tenner clients have included Jeep, Party Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, VH1, Card Player Cruises, Hard Rock Hotel, Elle Magazine, The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas and Global Gaming Expo.

Recently the American Gaming Association appointed Ms. Tenner to the Advisory Board for their Table Games track. Ms. Tenner is also the co-founder of www.pokergives.org . Tenner and Associates, Inc. has been tapped as the firm for the rebranding, marketing and launch of the The Grand Lucayan resort in Grand Bahamas Island.

Tenner has been taped as the Marketing and branding social media site www.ttagit.com .

Marco Valerio, Editor and Promotion Manager, Global Poker Index

Marco Valerio, 25, is the former editor-in-chief and lead interviewer for QuadJacks, a media portal which became a central source of poker news and commentary post-Black Friday. He has written and reported on a wide variety of poker industry issues including the Black Friday indictments, the insolvency and subsequent sale of Full Tilt Poker, restitution of funds to players, the World Series of Poker, and the latest waves of online poker legislation and legalization in the United States. Valerio left QuadJacks in January 2013.

He has since become an editor for the Global Poker Index, to help develop and represent the company in North America. Valerio is also a contributing editor to the Online Poker Report, where he continues to provide commentary and coverage on the rapidly evolving online poker industry.

Since entering the poker world in 2010, Valerio has interviewed over 1,000 different people.

Joe Versaci, Chief Marketing Officer, Ultimate Gaming

Joe Versaci is a professional consultant with 15 years of experience in the online gaming industry. He has held senior positions in marketing and operations for some of gaming’s largest and most prestigious companies as well as been a successful gaming entrepreneur as the founder of multiple gaming related web portals. Respected as a creative and strategic thinker, he is an avid poker player with a key understanding for the industry as a whole and has a unique point of view on the future of online poker in North America.

Mr. Versaci spent more than seven years at PokerStars heading up their North American Marketing and Operations before stepping down to open a consulting firm focusing on all aspects of social and real money online gaming. During this time he also served as Chief Marketing Officer for Virgin Gaming leading their product and marketing teams to help establish new consumer behavior and create awareness around competitive console gaming. Mr. Versaci has developed several key marketing initiatives, product innovations and strategic partnerships including more than 100 hours of acquisition focused poker television.

Richard Williamson, Senior VP, Regulatory, Americas, BMM Testlabs

Richard Williamson, Senior Vice President, Regulatory - Americas for BMM Testlabs is a thirty-year veteran of the gaming industry. Mr. Williamson has extensive experience in developing and implementing technical standards, internal controls, regulations and rule-making as well as writing and interpreting gaming product testing standards.

Previously, Williamson was appointed in 2005 by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board as the first Director of its Gaming Laboratory Operations where he created technical standards, lab procedures and was instrumental in opening the first three slots-only PA casinos. Before joining the PGCB, Williamson was the director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement’s slot testing laboratory for more than twenty years. During this period, the DGE lab routinely received submissions of technologically advanced products and concepts that challenged the language of existing regulations and necessitated many rule changes. Under his leadership the New Jersey lab was routinely consulted as a preeminent government operated testing laboratory.

Andrew Zarnett, Managing Director, Deutsche Bank

Andrew S. Zarnett, Managing Director, currently serves as Deutsche Bank’s Gaming, Lodging and Leisure High Yield Debt Analyst, Co-Head of High Yield Research and a member of the Executive Committee of the Leverage Debt Group. Previously, from 1996 – 1999 he was the Senior Gaming Equity Analyst, Gaming, Lodging and Leisure at Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., Inc. where he also served as a member of the Board of Directors. Before joining Ladenburg Thalmann, Mr. Zarnett was the Assistant to the Chairman, Furman Selz, LLC. Mr. Zarnett is frequently quoted in both the trade and national press, including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Las Vegas Sun and the Las Vegas Review Journal. He is also a lecturer at University of Nevada Reno Annual Executive Development Program for Senior Level Casino Executives as well as a member of the Board of the National Center for Responsible Gaming.

In 1985 Mr. Zarnett received a BA degree in Economics from York University. In 1988 Mr. Zarnett received his MBA in Finance, from Babson College.

Further in 2002, 2003 and 2004, Mr. Zarnett was named to the Institutional Investor All Star Team. And in 2005, Zarnett was awarded the 1 Institutional Investor All Star Team covering gaming and lodging.