UNLV's International Gaming Institute launches AI Research Hub to promote responsible AI in gaming

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ International Gaming Institute (IGI) has officially launched the AI Research Hub (AiR Hub), a new initiative focused on studying the impact, risks, and opportunities of artificial intelligence (AI) in the gambling industry.

Co-founded by IGI Director of Research Kasra Ghaharian and industry expert Simo Dragicevic, the Hub will support collaborative research and promote the responsible use of AI in gaming.

Among the Hub’s initial projects is the State of AI in Gaming Report, set to become the industry's first annual comprehensive analysis of AI integration. The report will catalog current and emerging use cases, assess organizational AI maturity, and provide insights to guide future development. 

Other core initiatives include the creation of benchmarking systems for critical AI technologies, and the development of governance tools for regulators and operators to ensure responsible oversight.

"UNLV's International Gaming Institute has a long history of pioneering research in the gaming sector, and we are excited to launch AiR Hub as the next step in that journey," Ghaharian said. "Our vision is to create tangible progress through collaborative, actionable research with engagement across a range of stakeholders, including regulators, academics, non-profit organizations, and industry."

The Hub is backed by a group of founding industry members. Representatives from Action Gaming, Axes.ai, Evoke Plc, Gaming Analytics, Kindbridge Behavioral Health, Playtech Plc, ROGA (Responsible Online Gaming Association), and Walker Digital Table Systems will serve on the advisory panel.

"We are grateful for not only the financial support offered by our founding members, but also the expert knowledge they bring in regard to technology, data, and wider gambling business and player support practices," Dragicevic said. “This knowledge and experience will be essential to fully understanding the risks and capitalizing on the potential of AI within the industry."

Organizations can still join as founding members over the next six months.