Gambling Industry Leaders Address Rising Challenges and Emerging Opportunities

At the NEXT Summit New York 2025, gambling industry executives, legal experts, and visionaries gathered to discuss the new challenges and opportunities shaping the future of gaming and wagering. Regulatory scrutiny, responsible gambling initiatives, and economic volatility were among the most popular topics as panelists emphasized the importance of strategic flexibility in an evolving industry.

Enduring Compliance Is Imperative

One of the summit’s flagship sessions, “Crisis Management for Operators: Responding to Regulatory and Legal Threats,” featured feedback from industry veterans like Penn Entertainment VP and chief compliance officer Christopher Soriano, BetMGM deputy general counsel Jeremy Kolman, and attorney Tom Lee. The session underlined how gambling operators must maintain robust compliance structures and actively manage risk.

The panelists argued that successful crisis management is less about reacting to issues than it is about establishing a corporate culture emphasizing transparency and compliance. Collaboration between compliance teams and executives was identified as a critical factor in mitigating risks before they escalate, potentially leading to long-term damage.

Harm Prevention Must Be a Leading Priority

The discussion also touched on Responsible Gambling (RG) initiatives, as panel members agreed that RG must be an ingrained part of corporate strategy, not a reaction to controversies. Companies like BetMGM, Kindbridge, and GameSense have taken proactive measures to encourage RG education, player protection, and intervention measures in their business models.

Despite these advances, gambling tax allocation remains a pressing issue. Panelists pointed to Tennessee as an example of misaligned priorities, with only 5% of sports betting revenue going toward problem gambling programs and the vast majority funding the state’s lottery scholarship fund. Experts argued that regulators and operators must collaborate to ensure addiction prevention and treatment receive adequate support.

The Sector Remains Adaptable in the Face of Adversity

Discussions surrounding pressing economic challenges also drew significant attention. Drive by DraftKings CEO Meredith McPherron spoke about the impact of market volatility on the gambling sector, acknowledging that market insecurity was bad for business. However, she remained optimistic, pointing out that economic downturns often drove innovation.

In good times and hard times, people turn to entertainment to find joy and connect with a community. I think we’re in a strong, resilient space.

Meredith McPherron, Drive by DraftKings CEO

McPherron was confident that the industry would weather the financial turbulence as gaming and entertainment have historically been a resilient sector. The gaming space continues to evolve, with advances in AI-based responsible gaming solutions, new trends like prediction markets and skill-based gaming, and deeper integration with mainstream entertainment, helping gambling companies remain competitive despite economic headwinds.