Bill Miller Calls Unregulated Gaming “Greedy and Irresponsible” at G2E

The Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas opened with a sharp message from American Gaming Association President and CEO Bill Miller, who used his keynote to defend regulated gaming and warn against the growing influence of unlicensed prediction markets and sweepstakes platforms.

Good to Know

• Bill Miller honored late IGA Chair Ernie Stevens for strengthening tribal-commercial ties.
• He said unregulated prediction markets threaten industry integrity.
• Miller called for continued protection of the legal gaming framework in the U.S.

Honoring Ernie Stevens and the Roots of G2E

Before addressing today’s regulatory issues, Miller took time to reflect on the origins of G2E, which began in 2001, and paid tribute to Ernie Stevens, the longtime Chair of the Indian Gaming Association who passed away earlier this year.

He praised Stevens for uniting tribal and commercial operators under one shared vision for industry growth:

“Ernie played a key role forging effective partnerships between Tribal and commercial, which helps spur gaming’s growth into a thriving nationwide industry. We will continue to build on Ernie’s legacy here at G2E. The guy was a great friend, and I miss him.”

The tribute set a respectful tone before Miller turned to what he described as one of the gaming sector’s toughest modern challenges — illegal gambling disguised as innovation.

From Margins to Mainstream

Miller looked back at how far the U.S. gaming market has come over the past two decades.

“In those early days, our biggest challenge was convincing Americans that we belonged,” he said. “We’ve traveled from the margins to the mainstream, from what happens in Vegas to what happens in 46 states. Nine out of ten Americans support us. We employ 1.8 million Americans, and we’re essential to state and tribal budgets from Oklahoma to Ohio.”

He reminded attendees that the regulated gaming industry contributes steady revenue and stable employment even during periods of economic uncertainty. But as the market continues to grow, Miller warned that imitation and avoidance of regulation are becoming major threats.

“Today, our biggest threat is not from economic headwinds or any forces that are trying to stop us. The threat comes from the forces who want to copy us without earning it.”

Miller Condemns Unregulated Prediction Markets

The AGA chief directly addressed prediction markets and sweepstakes casinos, accusing them of blurring legal definitions and evading public accountability. Miller said:

“They attempt to blur the lines, calling games of chance investing, skill games or sports event contracts — anything but what it really is, which is gambling.”

Miller criticized such operators for pretending to deliver economic benefits without contributing to regulated industry standards. He cited examples of sweepstakes platforms in California that claimed to create value but instead funneled their revenue into digital ads rather than community investment or jobs.

“They want the opportunity, but they don’t want any of the regulatory compliance, and they really don’t care about their concern for the public good. If it’s gambling, it needs to play by the rules,” Miller added.

He closed his remarks by rejecting the narrative that non-compliant operators represent innovation:

“These operators have a word to describe what it means to ignore the rules, bypass the citizens, offer no community benefits and tell customers it’s okay to lose your shirt. They call it innovation. I call it something else. It’s greedy, it’s reckless, and it’s irresponsible. At the AGA, we believe that [legal] system is worth protecting.”

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