G2E 2025: Global Gaming’s Silver Jubilee, What It Means for Europe

_{G2E holds significance for UK operators and players. (Image: G2E)}

In its 25th year, the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) reaffirmed its status as the premier global gathering for the regulated gaming sector, bringing together more than 25,000 industry executives, regulators, technologists and operators from over 120 countries. The show, organised by RX and presented in partnership with the American Gaming Association (AGA), showcased nearly 400 exhibitors and hosted more than 100 education sessions.  

For UK and European stakeholders in gaming, betting, iGaming and regulation, G2E remains a vital signal of global trends, from AI and prediction markets to regulatory shifts and dealer technology. Below are the key takeaways and highlights with relevance to audiences in the UK and EU.

Innovation and Regulation Take Centre Stage

From AI-enabled matchmaking of delegates to on‑floor technology showcases, G2E 2025 offered a view of where gaming is heading. The iGaming Zone, newly reimagined, provided a focal point for online gaming discussions, merging technology, compliance and content. 



Leading hardware and systems suppliers displayed innovations in fintech, digital marketing, real‑time analytics and game mechanics. For example, IGT featured a “powerhouse” of new slot and table game technology, including an AI solution called TrueAim, geared to improve player engagement and floor performance.  

Yet the regulatory dimension loomed large. Panels addressed the evolving landscape of prediction markets, a contested space blurring lines between regulated betting and financial contracts.   Meanwhile, the opening day spotlight fell on Brazil’s regulated online betting market, drawing operators and international investors eager to understand its model and trajectory.  

For European operators and policymakers, such debates on cross‑jurisdiction models, compliance standards and market entry strategies are directly relevant as regulation in many EU states evolves.

A New Stage: The Dealer Championship

G2E 2025 introduced its inaugural U.S. Dealer Championship, bringing 34 dealers from a wide range of casinos across the U.S. into competition across blackjack and roulette disciplines. The championship, taking place inside the Venetian Expo, tested technical skill, hospitality and control, and culminated in a title of “Best Dealer in America.”  

The concept of elevating “frontline” casino staff to show floor stars signals a broader shift: gamification of operator skills, elevating human performance, and providing engaging showcases that link entertainment and professionalism. UK and European  land-based casino sectors may view this as a model to emulate, particularly in integrated resorts or entertainment-forward casino environments.

Thought Leadership and Key Voices

The main-stage agenda delivered a mix of strategic insight and sector-specific thought leadership:
    •    The opening session honoured Ernest L. “Ernie” Stevens Jr., spotlighting the importance of tribal and sovereign voices in U.S. gaming history.  
    •    A marquee Tuesday session featured Bill Miller (AGA), flanked by one-on-one conversations moderated by Hope King, with Bill Hornbuckle (MGM Resorts), Peter Jackson (Flutter Entertainment) and Jason Robins (DraftKings).  
    •    On Wednesday, mental health took centre stage, with a session moderated by Meghan Speranzo (Global Gaming Women) and guest Kendall Toole, focused on wellness, boundaries and resilience in the high-pressure gaming sector.  

These leadership sessions underscore a shift in the industry: gaming is no longer just about machines and margins , it’s about people, policy and platform.

Significance of G2E for UK Audience for UK Audience

Even though G2E is held across the Atlantic Ocean, it still has great significance and benefits for a UK audience, especially UK Operators and players. Some of these include:
    1.    Regulatory spillover: Many regulatory challenges in U.S. and Latin American markets (e.g. prediction markets, cross‑jurisdiction compliance) foreshadow debates that may reach the UK and EU, especially as regulatory bodies explore harmonising frameworks or adapting to emerging models.
    2.    Technology transfer: Showcases of AI, data analytics, real-time systems and dealer enhancements often cross over to European markets, especially for operators aiming to differentiate their land-based and online offerings.
    3.    Market signalling: The level of international attendance and exhibitor mix indicates where capital is flowing. If major global vendors, investors and regulators are focusing on Latin America, Asia or U.S. states, European stakeholders must adjust their competitive lens.
    4.    Networking and deal flow: For UK delegations or European operators with global ambitions (e.g. iGaming providers, B2B suppliers, regulatory consultants) G2E remains one of the few venues to meet global peers, source new technologies and benchmark market direction.

What to Watch After G2E

    •    Will the dealer competition format spread to Europe? Could there be a “Best Dealer UK/Europe” in future?
    •    Which prediction market platforms will survive regulatory scrutiny and expansion?
    •    How will players in Europe respond to AI-driven personalisation, real-time marketing and loyalty tools demonstrated on the floor?
    •    Which regulatory lessons from Brazil or U.S. anti‑money laundering enforcement will shape EU and UK oversight?