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SEPTEMBER 2026 • Vol. 25 • No.9 • $10 Global Gaming Business Magazine FAHRENKOPF TALKS PREDICTION MARKETS, POLITICS GHANA GAMING COMMISSIONER SPEAKS AGS merges hardware and game design to dazzle the player THRILL SEEKERS WOMEN IN CHARGE Visualizing Success Making a DifferenceLarge 27-inch topper screen Vivid 43-inch 4K UHD display Ergonomic button deck with a crisp 21-inch display and wireless phone charging Asymmetrical silhouette designed to reflect and amplify light Warm champagne metallic finish that stands apart from traditional dark hardware A NEW SHAPE OF LIGHTSEPTEMBER 2026 www.ggbmagazine.com 3 34 RG Tech Advanced technology makes it easier to identify problem gambling. By Joseph Bills Global Gaming Business Magazine CONTENTS september COLUMNS 10 AGA G2E Reenvisioned Maggie Moreland 12 Fantini’s Finance If It Ain’t Broke… Frank Fantini 21 Regulation Winning on Borrowed Time Robert S. Miller 41 NCLGS Timeless Principles of Legal Gaming Al Williams DEPARTMENTS 4 The Agenda 6 By the Numbers 8 5 Questions 13 AGEM Update 32 Emerging Leaders With Playnetic’s David Mann, KPMG’s Nicole A. Porpiglia, and Bet9ja’s Omotola Oronti 38 New Game Review 40 Cutting Edge 42 Global Gaming Women 45 Frankly Speaking 46 Goods & Services 49 People 50 Casino Communications With Frank Fahrenkopf, former president, CEO and founder, American Gaming Association FEATURES Vol. 25 • No. 9 22 COVER STORY 14 DEI: Beyond Good Intentions Despite the backlash against diversity initiatives, DEI in gaming can build a better workforce, boost innovation and enrich culture. By Kyle Goldsmith 18 BMM’s Next Chapter Now under new ownership, BMM Testlabs is celebrating the past and focusing on the future. By Jess Marquez Faces of AGS AGS keeps pace with evolving cabinet design and features that reflect player demand. By Frank Legato On the Cover: David Lopez, CEO and President, AGS Sarah Gardner Acting CEO, UK Gambling Commission Kristina Griffus Director, iGaming & Sports Betting, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Jamie Knight Senior Vice President of Game Studios-U.S., IGT Sangeeta Reddy Vice President of Innovation, GLI Marie-Noëlle Savoie Chief Compliance Office, British Columbia Lottery Corp . 26 5 Outstanding Women In a changing industry, these leaders drive results. 4 Global Gaming Business SEPTEMBER 2026 I t wasn’t my intention to use the titles of Clash songs for my last two Global Gaming Business Agendas, but here we are. (“I Fought the Law” was last month’s parable.) You see, after 25 years, I’m relinquishing my connection with GGB. It’s a difficult transition for me. Not because I believe GGB is in the wrong hands—far from it. Our sale two years ago to Clarion Gaming—now WorldGaming—was the right move. It enabled our staff to stay together and gave our magazine a life beyond me, which were my goals. WorldGaming has the good of the publication—and the industry—at its core and I have no doubt GGB will continue to be the voice of the global—or world—gaming industry for a long time to come. No, the hard part is that I don’t want to step away from the gaming business itself. You see, I’ve been there almost from the start. No, I wasn’t in Nevada in the 1930s—I’m not that old. But in 1979, I was involved in the legalization of gaming in New Jersey as an original dealer at Caesars Atlantic City, the second casino to open in the resort. So I’ve pretty much seen it all—riverboats, tribal casinos, sports betting, online gambling. And the list goes on. Gaming is always changing. Remember the ruckus caused by TITO? Now it’s the industry standard. Remember server-based gaming? Yes, but it kind of slipped away. And how about how legalizing online gaming will follow sports betting as a great tax source? Yeah, not so much. But there are major shifts happening today that will impact the future of gaming and I want to continue to cover them and offer my opinions. (Which is why I never got above the dealer position when I worked in the industry. I had too many opinions!) Let’s start, of course, with the prediction market companies. I’ve been saying they’re an existential threat to the gaming industry since they became a thing almost two years ago. I won’t stop until they’re stopped. Using a weak and malleable federal agency as a prop claiming they’re regulated is a joke. If their products are so superior, they should join the industry the way everyone else has. Obtain a license via strict and exhaustive investigations, pay whatever fee and tax is required, and submit to state regulation. That’s the only way. There are always mergers and acquisitions shaping the future of our industry. The proposed mega-deals—like selling Caesars to Tilman Fertitta’s Landry’s Inc. or Barry Diller’s People, Inc. fully acquiring MGM Resorts—will have a massive impact on gaming in Las Vegas and worldwide. I can’t wait to see how both the intended and unintended consequences play out. So to answer the question in the title of this final Agenda, I’m not going anywhere. Along with my wife Beck Kingman-Gros, who really has been running the company and my life for the last 30 years, we will continue to create content that will inform, educate and hopefully challenge the status quo in the industry. The one thing I know for certain is that our future work will heavily emphasize responsible gaming, which I believe is the single most critical issue facing our industry today. While the gaming sector has made remarkable progress over the years in addressing gambling-related harms, it still isn’t enough. We must ensure our products remain safe for consumers, and that our messaging is genuinely responsible and helpful. We hope to help shape that message by delivering meaningful content that sparks candid discussion, constructive feedback and, ultimately, industry-wide consensus on how to minimize unintentional harm. Until you hear from me again, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who has been part of GGB over the past 25 years. You are the real reason for its success—I was just along for the ride. Should I Stay or Should I Go? Vol. 25 • No. 9 • SEPTEMBER 2026 Frank Legato, Editor-in-Chief flegato@ggbmagazine.com Robin Harrison, Publisher robin.harrison-millan@worldgamingbusiness.com Roger Gros, Editor-at-Large rgros@ggbmagazine.com Marjorie Preston, Managing Editor mpreston@ggbmagazine.com Monica Cooley, Art Director mcooley@ggbmagazine.com Terri Brady, Sales & Marketing Director tbrady@ggbmagazine.com Columnists Frank Fantini • Robert S. Miller • Maggie Moreland • Al Williams Contributing Editors Joseph Bills • Kyle Goldsmith • Nicole Macedo Jess Marquez • Bill Sokolic • Suzanne Trout _____ EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Rino Armeni, President, Armeni Enterprises • Dike Bacon, Principal/Partner, HBG Design • Lauren Bates, President, Global Gaming Women • Mark A. Birtha, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Hard Rock International • Brendan Bussmann, Principal, BGlobal Advisors • Alex Dixon, Senior Advisor, Board of Directors, Resorts World Las Vegas • Daron Dorsey, President and CEO, Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers • Sally Gainsbury, Director at Gambling Treatment & Research Clinic & Professor of Psychology, University of Sydney • Stephen Martino, Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer, MGM Resorts International • Bill Miller, President and CEO, American Gaming Association • Walt Power, CEO, Grand Ho Tram • Rob Russell, Senior Gaming Analyst, Regulatory Management Counselors PC • James Siva, Chairman, California Nations Indian Gaming Association/ Vice Chairman, Morongo Band of Mission Indians • Michael Soll, President, International Center for Responsible Gaming • Kresimir Spajic, CEO, Allwyn Digital • Katherine Spilde, Executive Director, Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming, San Diego State University —————— GGB Magazine 702-248-1565 • www.ggbmagazine.com The views and opinions expressed by the writers and columnists of GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS are not necessarily the views of the publisher or editor. Copyright 2026 Clarion Digital Media LLC GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS is published monthly by Clarion Gaming International, LLC. Printed in Nevada, USA. Email: subscriptions@ggbmagazine.com Official Publication BY ROGER GROS, EDITOR-AT-LARGE THE AGENDA6 Global Gaming Business SEPTEMBER 2026 T he poker segment is estimated to see significant growth from 2026 to 2030, according to research from Technavio. The surge is being driven by “a sophisticated interplay between high-profile live tournaments and robust digital platforms” as well as “omnichannel strategies that leverage loyalty program integration,” reports the research firm. Online satellite events, which contribute to more than 35 percent of participants in major live tournaments, also drive players to premier land-based events. The segment’s trajectory is further shaped by experiential entertainment, combining poker with the allure of destination resorts and associated non-gaming amenities. The segment, valued at $59.77 billion in 2024, will see a gradual increase moving toward 2030, Technavio states. North America is estimated to contribute 41.4 percent to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. BY THE NUMBERS POKER BOOM AHEAD I n its 2026 Casino Player Trends Report, Phoenix-based LT.agency says an integrated marketing and digital experience that is personal to each consumer has a direct and meaningful impact on consumer loyalty. The study was based on a survey of 767 casino patrons and 50 operators and executives. Seventy-four percent of players say digital convenience matters more now than even a few years ago, and 54 percent say digital engagement is critical to their loyalty. At the same time, 48 percent of operators acknowledge they are behind on their digital experience or unsure how they compare to those of their competitors. Ninety-two percent of players expect casino apps to match the ease of other platforms, but 59 percent say casinos still lag behind other industries digitally. More importantly, the gap between expectations and reality is influencing behavior. Players consistently ask for: • Easier rewards redemption • More relevant offers • Fewer technical issues • Better coordination between the online and in-person experience But casinos should not replace in-person service with a one- size-fits-all digital experience. About 20 percent of players, often older, local and more traditional, still prefer low-touch, in-person interactions and may reject a push toward digital-first options. While smaller in number, this group includes longstanding high-value guests. As the report states, “Forcing a digital journey can create friction, highlighting the need to tailor experiences based on player preferences.” The report further finds that 42 percent of operators are currently using or planning to use AI for personalized offers and virtual concierge experiences, signaling steady movement toward more advanced personalization. Across groups, players consistently point to the same conditions to engender trust: • Transparency around how AI is used • The ability to opt out • Clear assurance that personal data is protected “Not all casino guests want the same digital experience,” stresses Nick Dan-Bergman, the firm’s chief marketing offer. “Operators that recognize those differences have an opportunity to better connect with guests, building loyalty and encouraging repeat visits.” For the complete report, see lt.agency/2026-casino-player-trends- report. UX NOTONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL GLOBAL MARKET SIZE 2020-2030 (USD MILLION) of players say digital convenience matters more now than even a few years ago of players say casinos still lag behind other industries digitally of players prefer in- person interactions and may reject digital-firstNext >