NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The legal and regulatory issues of sports-betting expansion and emerging payment technologies will be the focus of two IMGL Masterclasses at the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) Winter Meeting, January 4-6 in New Orleans.

Registration for the three-day NCLGS Winter Meeting is now open to the public at http://www.nclgs.org/meetings.html. Although the room block at host Harrah's New Orleans is sold out, numerous nearby hotel options are posted on the conference website.

"The International Masters of Gaming Law Masterclasses at NCLGS will bring the expertise of practicing gaming attorneys and regulators to address issues of critical concern in the gaming industry," said IMGL Second Vice President Marc Ellinger, an attorney with Ellinger and Associates, LLC. "As a practicing gaming attorney, the information discussed is of paramount importance to knowing the issues we have today and the solutions for the future of the gaming industry. It is truly invaluable."

The first IMGL Masterclass will analyze the regulations of the ever-expanding sports betting market. With eight states now offering betting and more looking to launch in 2019, legislators and regulators now have real-world examples to create new sports-betting schemes – or modify the ones they have. Regulators and gaming attorneys will examine the current best practices and suggest how they may be improved. Panel speakers are:

• Marc Dunbar, Partner, Jones Walker LLP
• Marc Ellinger, Partner, Ellinger and Associates, LLC
• Kate Lowenhar-Fisher, Member, Dickinson Wright PLLC
• Kevin O'Toole, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

The second IMGL Masterclass will examine how new payment technologies fit in the gaming world. Are state laws, gaming regulations, operators, and suppliers equipped to embrace and employ new forms of payment at slot machines and table games? What are the implications for anti-money-laundering compliance? Experts discussing the status of these new forms of payment and how they will impact the gaming industry are as follows:

• Mark Hemmerle, Vice President Legal & Compliance, Worldpay Gaming Solutions
• Sean McGuinness, Attorney, Sean Butler Snow LLP
• Donna More, Partner, Fox Rothschild
• Jennifer Roberts, Associate Director, International Center for Gaming Regulation, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

More than 200 attendees, including dozens of state legislators, are expected to attend the three-day NCLGS Winter Meeting. The conference agenda includes:

• Keynote Luncheon Address from former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, whose arguments before the Supreme Court resulted in overturning the federal prohibition on sports betting
• Six legislative committee sessions: Casinos, Emerging Forms of Gaming, Lotteries, Pari-Mutuels, Sports Betting/iGaming, and State-Federal Relations
• The Big Picture: Focus on Freshman Class of Legislators – an introduction to gaming
• Two Masterclasses presented by the International Masters of Gaming Law
• Thursday evening and Friday evening welcome receptions
• Saturday afternoon back-of-house tours of Harrah's New Orleans
• Sunday general session focusing on the relationship between gaming and tourism

The Winter Meeting has been approved for 10.25 and 10.0 Continuing Legal Education credits by the Louisiana and Nevada bars, respectively, underscoring its importance as a premier gaming policy forum.

To view the NCLGS Winter Meeting agenda, register, and book hotel rooms at the host hotel at special attendee rates, visit http://www.nclgs.org/meetings.html

For sponsorship information, contact events@nclgs.org. Legislators and others seeking NCLGS membership information should contact Wayne Marlin at wayne.marlin@nclgs.org.

NCLGS is the only organization of state lawmakers that meets on a regular basis to discuss issues relating to gaming. Members of NCLGS serve as chairpersons or members of state legislative committees responsible for the regulation of gaming in their state legislative houses. NCLGS does not promote or oppose gaming but is primarily concerned with the regulation and economic and social impacts of the industry. The NCLGS Foundation is the educational and research arm of NCLGS. The 501(c)(3) non-profit is a source of non-partisan data on issues of gaming legislation and regulation.

Spectrum Gaming Group, which has performed advisory and consulting work for gaming operators, regulators and legislatures in 36 US states and territories and in 47 countries on six continents, serves as the Executive Director of NCLGS.

SOURCE National Council of Legislators from Gaming States