UNLV International Gaming Institute to Study Use of AI in Gambling
The International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV IGI) has unveiled the AI Research Hub (AiR Hub), a dedicated platform focused on analyzing how artificial intelligence is influencing the gambling sector. This new initiative aims to provide critical insights into how AI technologies are shaping the industry, including the opportunities they present and the challenges they introduce as adoption continues to grow.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The AiR Hub is the brainchild of Kasra Ghaharian, UNLV IGI's Director of Research, and Simo Dragicevic, a long-time contributor to both gaming innovation and AI studies. As an Adjunct Fellow at the Hub, Dragicevic brings significant experience to the project. Together, they are working to establish a collaborative environment where researchers, regulators, tech developers, and public interest groups can address the complex dynamics of artificial intelligence in gambling.
Related: Playtech and UNLV Team Up to Promote Responsible Gambling with AIAmong the Hub's key projects is a flagship report titled the State of AI in Gaming. This annual study is intended to provide a wide-ranging assessment of AI applications throughout the gambling ecosystem. It will offer detailed case studies, explore emerging use cases, and rank companies based on how advanced they are in applying AI-driven tools and systems.
Beyond the annual report, the AiR Hub will develop additional resources aimed at guiding the gambling industry in adopting ethical and effective AI strategies. These efforts will include the creation of governance tools, industry benchmarks for the use of AI systems, and ongoing contributions to thought leadership that inform both public and private sector decision-making.
Ghaharian has emphasized that the AiR Hub is a continuation of UNLV IGI's longstanding role as a leader in gambling research. He pointed out that the Hub is intended to drive meaningful change through evidence-based collaboration, with participation from a broad coalition of stakeholders. The focus is not only on academic insight but also on practical applications that support responsible AI integration across gaming operations.
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AiR Hub Receives Significant Backing from Industry
The initiative has secured support from a range of prominent contributors across the gambling and tech industries. These founding members include companies such as Action Gaming, Axes.ai, Evoke Plc, Gaming Analytics, Kindbridge Behavioral Health, Playtech Plc, the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA), and Walker Digital Table Systems. These organizations will take part in an advisory panel that will help shape the Hub's direction and ensure the research remains grounded in real-world industry concerns.
Dragicevic noted that having seasoned professionals from within the industry is essential to understanding how AI will transform gambling in the coming years. He explained that the sector is both highly interconnected and evolving at a fast pace, making expert input critical to identifying and managing potential risks while maximizing benefits.
To allow for continued expansion, the AiR Hub is keeping the founding member window open for six additional months. This will give more organizations the opportunity to join the effort and contribute to its mission.
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