Speaking at GSATS Phoenix
Chris O’Malley
General Manager: Education, Gaming, Collaboration, Embedded Compute Group (ECG), Intel Corporation
Chris O’Malley is a General Manager for the Education, Gaming, and Collaboration (Video conferencing rooms) segments within ECG. Prior to this role, Chris was the Marketing Director for the Retail, Banking, Hospitality, and Entertainment industries within ECG. In this capacity, Chris drove compute technologies into the RBHE industries, including video, audio, computer vision / analytics technologies, edge compute and traditional POS, Kiosk, and Digital Signage solutions. Previously, Chris was responsible for developing and growing the Gaming, Medical, Energy, Military, Point of Sale (POS), and Mobile POS segments within ECG. Chris also has extensive experience in marketing operations and procurement. Chris has a BA from the University of Notre Dame and a JD/MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. Before joining Intel, Chris worked as an attorney in Pittsburgh, PA.
Andrew Cardno
Founder and CEO at Game Changing Technologies.
Andrew Cardno is a distinguished figure in the realm of artificial intelligence and data plumbing. With over two decades spearheading private Ph.D. and master’s level research teams, his expertise has made significant waves in data tooling. Andrew’s innate ability to innovate has led him to devise numerous pioneering visualization methods. Of these, the most notable is the deep zoom image format, a groundbreaking innovation that has since become a cornerstone in the majority of today’s mapping tools. His leadership acumen has earned him two coveted Smithsonian Laureates, and teams under his mentorship have clinched 40 industry awards, including three pivotal gaming industry transformation awards. Together with Dr. Ralph Thomas, the duo co-founded Quick Custom Intelligence, amplifying their collaborative innovative capacities. A testament to his inventive prowess, Andrew boasts over 150 patent applications. Across various industries—be it telecommunications with Telstra Australia, retail with giants like Walmart and Best Buy, or the medical sector with esteemed institutions like City Of Hope and UCSD—Andrew’s impact is deeply felt. He has enriched the literature with insights, co-authoring eight influential books with Dr. Thomas and contributing to over 100 industry publications. An advocate for community and diversity, Andrew’s work has touched over 100 Native American Tribal Resorts, underscoring his expansive and inclusive professional endeavors.
Christopher Fleenor
Chief Technology & Gaming Officer at Ohio Casino Control Commission
Christopher has 19+ years of gaming regulation experience in multiple jurisdictions with a focus on regulatory compliance and development of technical standards for new technology. Currently, he is the Chief Technology & Gaming Officer for the Ohio Casino Control Commission. In addition, he is the Chair of the International Gaming Standards Association Regulatory Advisory Committee, which focuses on providing regulatory input in the development of new protocol standards for the gaming industry, such as GAT, CDI, NGI, etc.
Christopher Schroder
Director at the Colorado Division of Gaming
Christopher Schroder is the Director of the Colorado Division of Gaming and brings over 20 years of gaming experience to the Division, including the opening of four casinos in multiple jurisdictions. In his current role, Schroder is responsible for managing and directing the activities of the Division including limited gaming, sports betting and fantasy sports contests.
Schroder’s managerial career started in Surveillance at several different casinos culminating in being the Director of Surveillance overseeing three casinos for Caesars Entertainment in Las Vegas. Most recently, Schroder was the Director for the Bureau of Casino Compliance for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Schroder has served on multiple law enforcement collaboration boards, such as Crime Stoppers, in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as serving as the Vice President of Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties Crime Stoppers. He is a certified Cyber Intelligence Investigator, Organized Retail Crime Investigator, Professional Criminal Investigator and Human Trafficking Investigator.
Karl Rempel
Senior Manager, Technology Regulation and Compliance at The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
Karl Rempel is an experienced gaming technology regulator at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). His responsibilities include overseeing the development of Ontario’s minimum technical standards as well as consideration of innovative industry products to determine regulatory suitability. Driven by public protection together with fostering industry success, he takes pride in providing responsive and effective regulation. Prior to his time as a regulator, he spent 13 years in various roles developing innovative technology at IBM.
George Zaloom
Chief Product Evangelist at World Vegas
George Zaloom is an Emmy Award-winning digital executive and serial entrepreneur. He is the founder of The Las Vegas Whaling Company, a noted incubator of casino gaming platforms. Recently, the Whaling Company provided services to Boyd Gaming Corporation, supervising the company’s Stardust online casino gaming portfolio. Prior to that, Zaloom’s team built Golden Rat Studios. Backed by Melco Entertainment & Resorts, Asia’s third-largest land-based casino operator, Golden Rat is the publisher of Asia’s most popular social casino app, City of Games. Preceding his tech career, Zaloom was a senior executive at DreamWorks Animation, responsible for launching Kung Fu Panda into production.
Michelle Prince Glenn
Head of Strategy and Operations – CentralAMS
Michelle Prince Glenn has over 30 years of experience in the regulated gaming markets, having held various leadership roles with several of the industry’s leading technology and product companies. Throughout her career, she has led business divisions in Executive Management, Operations, Service & Support, Marketing/Communications, Sales & Sales Enablement, Product Marketing & Management, Project Management, and Leadership Training. Currently, Michelle leads Strategy and Operations at CentralAMS, a leading provider of KYC, Identity, Payment, and fraud/risk solutions for the gaming industry, serving both online and on-premise casino, resort, and enterprise operations worldwide.
Tonya Roedell
President at Broader Reach Consulting, LLC.
A creative marketing leader with a proven track record of analyzing market trends, competitive landscapes, and identifying strategic opportunities globally across operations and manufacturing. Skilled in driving business transformations, implementing new processes, and adopting emerging technologies. Dedicated to building cohesive teams and fostering a positive, engaging work environment.
Currently helping companies expand their customer reach through innovative, market-leading strategies that exceed expectations. Develops comprehensive strategic approaches for clients, ensuring consistent, on-brand communications, while collaborating with cross-functional teams and external partners to deliver impactful results and uncover growth opportunities.
Engagements through Broader Reach Consulting include financial investments, online workflow solutions, payments/KYC/AML/Identity Management/Biometrics, iGaming content, and artificial intelligence.
Recognized as an Emerging Leader in Gaming in 2015 and 2018 (Top 40 under 40).
Nick Farley
President & Co~Founder ECLIPSE COMPLIANCE TESTING
Nick Farley, President and co-founder of eclipse Compliance Testing, is a 35-plus year veteran of the gaming industry, and has devoted his entire professional career to the test and evaluation of electronic gaming devices and systems. Prior to founding eclipse Compliance Testing, Mr. Farley served as a regulator with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. He has been testing electronic gaming devices and systems for regulatory compliance since 1987. He is considered an expert in the field of gaming device testing and regulation, having testified as an expert witness on behalf of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, and has assisted regulatory agencies with the development of technical standards.
David Fica Jaque
CEO and Founder of LandVegas
David Fica Jaque, with over 20 years in the gaming industry, is from Chile and currently heads Land Vegas Group, a company pioneering Virtual Reality and the metaverse in gaming, revolutionizing the industry with these technologies. He started in the land-based sector, gaining extensive knowledge of various casino games like roulette, blackjack, and poker. Later, he became an entrepreneur and consultant, focusing on Esports and collaborating with major Latin American football teams. His exposure to web3 and the metaverse inspired him to envision a future of virtual worlds with enhanced entertainment and betting experiences. This led him to co-found Land Vegas Group, which now leads in virtual reality for land-based and online casinos worldwide: America and on other continents.
Jeremie Kanter
Director of Regulatory Affairs at Continent 8 Technologies
Jeremie Kanter is a seasoned, industry-recognized compliance figure, boasting over two decades of comprehensive B2B and B2C experience within the eGaming industry. With a proven track record in compliance leadership, Jeremie has held key management roles across senior compliance, corporate and regulatory affairs, product development, and operations.
As the Director of Regulatory Affairs at Continent 8 Technologies, Jeremie drives the company’s regulatory compliance efforts and initiatives to bring innovation to companies and regulators within the regulated betting and gaming sector.
Nimish Purohit
VP of Product Resilience at Aristocrat
Nimish Purohit is the VP of Product Resilience at Aristocrat, and also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the IGSA. With a 20-year career spent entirely in the casino gaming industry, he brings a blend of subject matter expertise as a former National Indian Gaming Commission, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement regulator, independent laboratory manager, a start-up CTO, and a publicly traded global manufacturer. Being part of the Enterprise CTO’s team at Aristocrat, he works with product creators at Aristocrat, while navigating partnerships with R&D, Compliance, Information Security and Quality functions.
Richard Rader
CTO Umpqua Indian Development Corporation.
My organization provides all IT support to the businesses inside the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians. I have a staff of 25 Technologists over two different geographical locations supporting over 950 team members in the various diverse businesses. We support casino operations, resort operations, commercial colocation data center, working ranches, ad agency, coffee roasting company, software development group, and agricultural operations.
Brett Butler
V P – Head of R&D and Gaming Systems – AI, ML – Aristocrat Technologies
Brett Butler has spent the last 35 years in the game and technology industry building entertainment companies and innovative technology platforms. He has built and run a game studio, technology consulting business, opened an office for Electronic Arts (EA), deployed interactive TV table games into the lodging industry, and worked with CTO’s in the cable industry to define Entertainment on Demand standards. Mr. Butler has spent the last nearly 4 years with Aristocrat as the VP Head of Global R&D and Gaming Systems and has built a large scale Tech Talent Incubator intern and mentoring program for the business.
Cynthia Hays
Gaming Consultant
Cynthia Hays is a gaming professional with nearly twenty-five years of experience in compliance and has worked with regulators for States and Tribes in more than twenty jurisdictions. She has worked for both operators and manufacturers, including Harrah’s Entertainment/Caesars, WMS Gaming, Scientific Games, JACK Entertainment, and Betfred Sports. Hays is skilled in developing and ensuring compliance with internal controls, participating in the process of creation or revision of technical standards and rules, gaining approvals for and assisting with the deployment of new gaming products into new jurisdictions, and liaising with regulators and interested parties to help resolve issues.
Sanjay Addicam
Intel Sr. AI Principal Engineer – Analytics, Deep Learning and Data Mining
Deep learning and Data mining algorithms. His focus spans around productizing system solutions across various segments in Retail and education segments. He has 36 issued patents. He has 11 published papers including Tier 1 conferences like KDD and NuerIPS. He is the author of the book Building Intelligent Systems: utilizing computer vision, data mining and machine learning. He is an Avid Kaggle competitor and a Kaggle master. He won the first prize in the Lyft 2019 Kaggle competition on autonomous driving and second prize in the Lyft 2020 Kaggle competition.
Michael Freeman, J.D.
CEO & Founder of Ocutrx Technologies
Michael H. Freeman, J.D. a two-time Emmy Award-winning designer of streaming mobile video technology and Founder of Ocutrx. Formerly the CEO/CTO of Semitrex Semiconductors, Michael won the 2015 and 2016 Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Product Innovation of the Year Award for the best way to power the internet of things, when he invented the first transformer-less capacitor-based power supply on a chip. Michael’s inventions and business acumen have been the foundation for numerous other successful start-ups tech companies over the last twenty-five years. He has been awarded over 65 U.S. and Foreign patents in 7 different scientific areas, including, Streaming Mobile Video, RFID location-based technology, Nano Chemical innovations, Smart Charging technologies, FinTech, Medical Devices; and Augmented Reality.
James O’Kimosh
Slot Director Desert Diamond Casinos
James O’Kimosh is a seasoned casino gaming executive with over 25 years of leadership experience in gaming and hospitality. As the Slot Director at Desert Diamond Casinos Southern Arizona, he is known for his leadership, operational expertise, and ability to drive business performance through data-driven decision-making and technology.
James has led initiatives to enhance the gaming experience and optimize revenue, including digitizing multi-property slot documentation, streamlining slot readings, and leveraging historical data to improve inventory management, productivity, and cost efficiency at Desert Diamond Casinos.
Joseph Bunevith
Vice President, Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs GLI
Joseph Bunevith is Vice President of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs at Gaming Laboratories International (GLI®), where he leads a team that works with tribal and government agencies to guide clients through evolving technology and regulations. He joined GLI in 2021 and has extensive experience in game operations, technology, and management across slot machines, sports betting, horse racing, and social casinos.
Bunevith collaborates with GLI’s clients, including suppliers, operators, and regulators, drawing from his deep industry knowledge to address challenges in multiple markets. He is a recognized expert and frequent speaker and writer within the global gaming industry.
Before GLI, Bunevith was Director of Interactive Gaming at Synergy Blue, overseeing product development and engineering staff. He has also held roles at Z4 Poker, FastFantasy, BAM Software, and founded DeucesCracked.com.J
Kiran Brahmandam
CEO and Founder of Gaming Analytics
Kiran Brahmandam is the CEO and Founder of Gaming Analytics, a leading A.I. technology solutions provider for the casino industry. With a profound understanding of the gaming landscape and a passion for innovation, Kiran has been at the forefront of transforming casino operations through advanced data analytics and A.I. driven strategies. His visionary leadership has enabled Gaming Analytics to become a trusted partner for casinos worldwide, helping them enhance operational efficiency and the guest experience.
Kiran’s expertise lies in leveraging A.I. to optimize various aspects of casino management, from slot floor layouts to personalized marketing content and comprehensive property-wide analytics. His approach improves decision-making processes and ensures a more engaging and tailored experience for casino patrons.
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GSATS FOCUS: FUTURE TECH
PHOENIX 2024 / NOV 11TH – 13TH
GSATS Focus: Future Tech, is a two-day educational conference aimed at providing legislators, regulators and industry decision makers, in-depth information on emerging technologies coming into the gaming industry.
Held in Phoenix Arizona at the Harrah’s Ak-chin Hotel and Casino, tickets for this two-day event include a breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack, on the 12th and 13th and an All-attendee cocktail reception on the 12th. A ‘welcome’ Speakers Only cocktail reception will be held on the evening of the 11th.
Attendees will benefit from hearing leading technology companies speak about technologies already in use within other industries, and the impact they are having. They will learn how those technologies have applicability to the gaming industry and hear from companies on the leading edge of innovation and the technology’s implementation. Importantly, attendees will hear from legislators and regulators who have been tasked with creating laws and regulations, and who are responsible for overseeing the technology’s use.
As with the previous GSATS, which focused on Blockchain Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Sports Betting, the conference will feature keynote speakers from Legislators, Regulators, Technologists, and Industry Leaders, speakers and panels designed to provide a broad, yet deep-enough, understanding of the technologies being discussed.
Join us for another informative, educational, and though provoking IGSA Technical Summit!
PARTNERSHIP
IGSA is pleased to partner with CGS EVENTS to organize the 2024 GSA Technical Summit – Focus: Future Tech. CGS EVENTS has over 20 years of experience specializing in organizing gaming industry conferences and events specifically addressing the needs of regulatory authorities and C-level executives. IGSA and CGS look forward to other GSATS events in the near future!
GSATS Insights
Mark Pace
IGSA
President
USA
Michelle Prince Glenn
Head of Strategy and Operations
CentralAMS
Las Vegas, USA
Christopher Fleenor
Chief Technology & Gaming Officer
Casino Control
Columbus, USA
Jeremie Kanter
Director of Regulatory Affairs
Continent 8 Technologies
Londres, Reino Unido
Andrew (AC) Cardno
CEO @ GCT and Founder
Quick Custom Intelligence
San Diego – USA
David Fica Jaque
Founder and CEO
LandVegas
Chile
Karl Rempel
Senior Manager
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
Ontario, Canadá
Travis Foley
CGRO
BMM Testlabs
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Tonya Roedell
Marketing and Professional Services Consultant
CentralAMS
Las Vegas, USA
Nick Farley
Owner
Eclipse Compliance Testing
Solon, Ohio, USA
Christopher Schroder
Director
Colorado Division of Gaming
Denver, USA
Nimish Purohit
Vice President
Aristocrat | MIT Sloan ACE | Product Guy
Las Vegas, USA
George Zaloom
Chief Product Evangelist
World Vegas
Las Vegas, USA
Richard Rader
CTO
Umpqua Indian Development Corporation
Canyonville, Oregón, USA
Brett Butler
VP – R & D and Gaming Systems
ARISTOCRAT
Texas, USA
Cynthia Hays
Gaming Consultant
Consulting
Detroit, USA
Chris O’Malley
Director of Marketing, Retail, Banking
Intel
Arizona, USA
Sanjay Addicam
Deep Learning and Data Mining
Intel
Arizona, USA
Michael H. Freeman
CEO & Founder
Ocutrx Technologies
California, USA
KIRAN BRAHMANDAM
CEO & Founder
Gaming Analytics
California, USA
Joseph Bunevith
Vice President, Government Relations
GLI
Las Vegas, USA
James O’Kimosh
Senior Slot Director
Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment
Alabama, USA
The first Gaming Standards Association Technical Summit or GSATS was held in 2018 in Reno Nevada. At the time Blockchain was the big buzzword in the gaming industry. However, different technologies were labeled Blockchain and this was causing significant confusion. Some use the word Bitcoin to describe Blockchain, others used Blockchain to describe cryptocurrencies in general, and yet other used Blockchain to describe distributed ledger-type storage systems. This confusion led to the legislative and regulatory part of our industry (the Policy Domain), to become understandably skeptical whenever a supplier or operator (the Industry Domain) spoke to them about blockchain. So much so, that there were some legislators that moved to ban Blockchain. Their intention was not to try and ban a database-type technology, it was to ban cryptocurrencies, but such was the depth of the confusion.
For these reasons, the focus of the first GSATS was on Blockchain, and it was designed to specifically separate fact from fiction, clarify misunderstandings and misconceptions and discuss how blockchain-based applications were being used in other highly regulated industries. The conference was a huge success.
For the following year, IGSA decided to once again tackle a technology that was garnering a lot of attention. The 2019 GSATS focused on Artificial Intelligence. Technology companies described how AI was helping business streamline decision making using machine learning techniques based on data from multiple sources. The conference included industry suppliers describing about how AI was being used to identify players who may be on a self-harming path and how AI was a great tool for Responsible Gaming. Arguably, the most interesting presentations were related to the importance of data and how the millions of records in gaming company databases, was potentially not ideally suited for machine learning purposes. Indeed, the presentations from the data scientists, really put a fine point on the need for complete and accurate data.
Unfortunately, COVID interrupted the traction that GSATS had gained. No in-person gatherings meant no GSATS in 2020. Given the total uncertainty in the industry and the slow recovery from the pandemic, IGSA decided against hosting a GSATS in 2021 as well. The industry was still in a bit of turmoil in 2022 but given the ubiquitous nature of online meetings, IGSA decided to host a virtual GSATS focusing on the newest gaming vertical in the US, sports betting.
The 2022 Sports Betting GSATS was the first foray into an online-only GSATS and the difference between virtual and in-person was quite clear. The latter was by far superior in terms of excitement, interaction, and value derived. While successful despite its challenges, IGSA decided that going forward, online events would be limited to short duration webinars and not a day-long, or worse, two-day, event.
IGSA focused on its 25th year anniversary in 2023, planning an event to celebrate this auspicious anniversary and the people that made it happen. The celebration was part of IGSA’s Annual Member Meeting and saw the largest attendance in a long time.
Which brings us to 2024 and the GSATS focusing on Future Technology. I am excited by what should be an excellent program, educational, thought provoking, and in some ways, controversial. I look forward to seeing current friends and acquaintances, and to making new ones in lovely Phoenix.
Non Member
0 FREE TICKETS
Additional Tickets
1
US$299.00
4+
US$250.00
Expressed in US Dollars
(does not include taxes)
Harrah’s Ak-Chin
Situated in the heart of Arizona’s Southern Sonoran Desert landscape, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino offers an ideal mix of desert backdrop with authentic Native American culture.
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino is an ideal luxury experience for any conference. Delegates will enjoy the exceptional service, the more than 500 plush rooms and suites, a sparkling resort pool with a sweeping deck, a blissful spa, and a casino floor filled with the industry’s hottest games.
A short drive from Phoenix and Harrah’s Ak-Chin delivers a first-class resort getaway, offering no shortage of epic thrills, including Maricopa’s only cactus garden all while enjoying Arizona’s unbeatable climate. Your trip to Harrah’s will be one for the books.
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