UNLV Gaming Institute recruits top industry figures for new advisory board

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) International Gaming Institute (IGI) is bringing in some of the biggest names from gaming, casinos, and tech to guide its next stage of growth. The Institute, already known for its work in gambling research, education, and innovation, has officially set up its first Executive Director’s Advisory Board. This 14-member panel looks like a “who’s who” of the betting world, including executives from DraftKings, Caesars, Playtech, and leading gaming businesses across the globe.

The goal is to give IGI real-world insight and industry muscle, ensuring UNLV stays at the forefront of gaming research, regulation, and training, not just in Nevada, but wherever betting is growing worldwide. The board is set to meet each year, pooling knowledge and experience to help the Institute spearhead new developments in an industry facing everything from digital expansion to regulatory shakeups.

Who’s on the new International Gaming Institute board?

Key figures on the board include Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation chief gaming officer Peter Arceo, DraftKings chief responsible gaming officer Lori Kalani, former Las Vegas mayor Jan Jones Blackhurst, Wondr Nation president and CEO Anika Howard, and representatives from companies like Penn Entertainment, AGS, Caesars, and more. Their backgrounds cover everything from casino operations and game development to responsible gambling and business strategy, offering IGI a rich mix of hands-on expertise.

“This board will help elevate IGI’s profile of academic excellence through its commitment to our mission. We are honored to welcome these accomplished experts and look forward to benefiting from their dynamic perspectives and support in creating meaningful connections between IGI and its stakeholders,” said IGI’s executive director Brett Abarbanel said,

With members representing casino operators, technology providers, and regulatory experts from around the world, the IGI is setting itself up to keep shaping the future of responsible gaming, industry policy, and new tech, right from the heart of Las Vegas.