ECGC 2024 focused on the latest developments and best practices shaping the evolving gaming industry in the US.
East Coast Gaming Congress 2024
The East Coast Gaming Congress 2024 (ECGC) was held from April 17-18, 2024, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US. The event brought together government officials, operators, suppliers, and solutions vendors to stay abreast of the latest developments and best practices in the constantly evolving gaming industry in the US.
ECGC 2024 focused on key elements impacting the brick-and-mortar and online gambling industry, such as the spread of unregulated gaming, the convergence of lotteries and casinos, cybersecurity approaches, regulatory frameworks, and the looming expansion of casinos in the New York City region.
During the congress, notable CEOs from reputable gaming companies gave their individual keynote addresses on a broad range of issues that are critical to the entire gaming industry.
About the East Coast Gaming Congress
ECGC is the second oldest gaming conference in the United States and the largest outside Nevada. It was founded in 1996 under the principle ” Leaders Speaking to Leaders,” as all attendees are a community of key decision-makers in public and private industries.
For more than 25 years, ECGC has stood alone as the event that focuses on the highest level of leadership among gaming operators, suppliers, regulators, and elected officials, commanding speaking roles from six sitting and former governors of New Jersey, as well as all three CEOs who have led the American Gaming Association.
The ECGC has an all-in-one program featuring key issues to be discussed during its events. This ensures all critical issues are covered under one forum, meeting the diverse needs and interests of attendees, including limited time and budget.
Key Topics Discussed at ECGC 2024
Since its founding in 1996, ECGC has served as a forum for hundreds of presentations by the industry’s leading CEOs, along with experts in all aspects of gaming. This year, the conference focused on the following topics:
- Gaming and Technology: Friends, Foes, or Both?
- Igaming, lottery: Finding Cooperation Amidst Competition
- Responsible Gaming: Whose Responsibility?
- Betting on Gaming: Where Are Investors Looking?
- Competitive-Climate Change: Gaming Heats Up in Eastern US
ECGC 2024 Speakers
Previous speakers at ECGC events have included six sitting and former governors of New Jersey, as well as all three CEOs who have led the American Gaming Association. The following CEOs had the privilege to give keynote speeches at the East Coast Gaming Conference 2024 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
- Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen
- Cordish Companies Chairman and CEO David Cordish
- PCI Gaming President and CEO Jay Dorris
- Rush Street Gaming CEO Tim Drehkoff
- American Gaming Association President and CEO Bill Miller
- Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment President and CEO Ray Pineault
- Caesars Entertainment CEO Thomas Reeg
- Penn Entertainment CEO and President Jay Snowden
- Conference co-founders Lloyd D. Levenson, CEO of the Cooper Levenson law firm, and Michael Pollock, Senior Policy Advisor to Spectrum Gaming Group, are organizing the 2024 event.
Key Highlights from ECGC 2024
ECGC is the largest gaming conference outside of Nevada that brings leaders from government, suppliers, and operators under one roof to collectively set policies and make decisions for the gaming industry in the broadest context.
Some of the reasons you should ECGC events include:
- Hear keynotes from the industry’s leading CEOs
- Timely, cutting-edge content from global leaders in all aspects of gaming
- Network with industry leaders and gaming professionals at the Welcome Reception
- Enjoy the numerous amenities at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
With that said, here are some highlights demonstrating the continued growth, development, and expansion of the gaming industry in the US:
Lotteries Step Into Gaming Spotlight at ECGC
Lotteries and casino gaming have long operated in separate spheres, but a new reality is taking hold in multiple states due to changes in both the political and technological landscapes. Industry leaders and experts at the ECGC 2024 provided insightful answers to the following lottery questions:
- Are iLottery and iGaming offerings doomed to compete against each other for the same players and the same share of wallet?
- Are there opportunities for differentiation? Are they targeting the same demographics, or can these offerings be differentiated in a manner that expands the pool of potential players?
- What role will regulators play, particularly in the states in which the same agency regulates gaming and lottery?
- What creative solutions can be offered, and what are the opportunities and challenges that solutions present?
Investment Experts Chart Gaming’s Future at ECGC
As the gaming industry responds and adapts to rapid changes in the political, technological, regulatory, and demographic landscapes, where will investors seek opportunities? What technologies and which verticals will command the attention – and the dollars – from Wall Street?
A panel of investment experts addressed these and other essential questions at the 27th Annual East Coast Gaming Congress. The Wall Street panel – a mainstay of the conference since its founding – was sponsored by ICR, LLC, a leading strategic communications and capital markets advisory firm, and was moderated by ICR Partner Jacques Cornet, who has decades of experience in gaming-related investment analysis.
“The view from Wall Street has always been essential to our conference and has never been more necessary than it is right now. These visionaries will help determine where gaming investments will be made, and those decisions will, in turn, identify the opportunities for operators and suppliers,” said ECGC co-founder Michael Pollock.
East Coast Gaming Congress Address and Chart Changes in Technology
Some of the technology concerns that were tackled at ECGC 2024 include:
- As emerging technologies continue to roil the gaming industry and alter social norms, what ground rules need to be set?
- From unregulated slot machines at convenience stores to illegal websites, how can the regulated, licensed gaming industry address these challenges?
- Will digital gaming cannibalize or create opportunities for gaming operators and lotteries, as well as other stakeholders?
Examining Each State’s Sports Betting Model
During the ECGC 2024, it was evident that 31 US states had legalized sports betting. The main concern was that no two states offer precisely the same sports betting model. A panel of experts delved into each state’s sports betting model with the aim of establishing which models work best. They found out that each state has charted its own path to maximize results.
Conclusion
ECGC – founded on the principle of “leaders speaking to leaders,” provided outstanding opportunities for sponsorships, networking, professional development, and business-to-business discussions. ECGC 2024 focused on key elements impacting the offline and online gambling industry, such as the spread of unregulated gaming, the convergence of lotteries and casinos, cybersecurity approaches, regulatory frameworks, and the looming expansion of casinos in the New York City region.
East Coast Gaming Congress 2024:
- Date: 17-18, April, 2024
- Location: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ
- Book your ticket: East Coast Gaming Congress