2026 SPEAKERS

Duration 3 hours
Who will benefit most from this seminar? Surveillance, Table Games Management

Overview
This seminar has been revised and updated to focus specifically on protection against illegal activity on table games – cheating and theft. “Keeping it real” and relevant to today’s casino environment, the seminar is conducted by a veteran surveillance professional who approaches threats from a “what IF” perspective – what’s the impact, what’s the frequency.

Module 1: Player Trickery
A focus on the outside threat. What to look for and how to protect against past posting, card switching, card mucking and card marking.

Module 2: Dealer Collusion
A focus on the inside threat. What to look for and how to protect against dumping the game, turning a blind eye, false shuffle sequence setups, concealed camera sequence recording and pre-game sequence recording.

Module 3: Security of Equipment
A focus on gaming equipment and cheating devices. What to look for and how to protect against chip thefts, fake chips, wheel and dice exploitation, rigged auxiliary gaming equipment and the latest cheating devices to be concerned about.

Duration 3 hours
Who will benefit most from this seminar? Surveillance, Slots

Overview
Electronic gaming machines represent 75% – 85% of all casino gaming revenue in the US and often cover a majority of the casino floor. In this CORE seminar students will learn common areas of vulnerability that can be exploited by fraudsters and how best to protect against machine scammers.

Module 1: The Nuts and Bolts of Electronic Games
Learn the basics of how gaming machines work and why they are networked. Gain a better understanding of where vulnerabilities can occur.

Module 2: Slot Machine Cheating and Fraud
Examine the common, not so common and game-changing scams that have taken place on slot machines over the years.

Module 3: Today’s Hot Spots for Shenanigans
Get up to date with slot advantage play techniques, player club scams and exploiting the new electronic table games.

Duration 3 hours
Who will benefit most from this seminar? Surveillance, Investigations, Anyone who searches for answers on a computer. *Bringing a laptop to class is preferred but is not a requirement of attendance. 

Module 1: Online Investigations and Open Source Primer
Every investigation involves, at some level, social media, and open source examinations. This introductory module examines the different types of open source and social media platforms and the language of this unique investigative world. In this introductory hands-on course, participants will learn the types, differences, and jargon of open source investigations. During the training, you will conduct open source research, driven by a case study. Upon completion, participants will be able to navigate the Internet and social media platforms for rudimentary online investigations as well as use time and resources more efficiently.

Module 2: Utilizing Advanced Google Searches
The ability to uncover information on the Internet is the primary skill of an investigator. The go-to resource for many is Google, yet not everyone knows how to utilize its full potential. This class expands your general knowledge of the search engine, making difficult searches more effective. In this intermediate to advanced hands-on class, participants will learn how to maximize Google searches, as we cover the basics, the hacks, and extra Google resources to create proper search strategies and run advanced Internet searches. Participants will also learn the expert tools of this common search application to make difficult searches more effective. Upon completion, participants will be able to hunt down deep web content, conduct advanced search strategies on Google, Bing, and other search engines, and use algorithms for surface finds and open source results.

Duration 3 hours
Who will benefit most from this seminar? Executives, Senior Management, Policy Makers 

Overview
Is your organization ready for the next crisis? If you are lucky, maybe crisis hasn’t landed on your doorstep. Statistics show most companies will experience some form of crisis at least every 5 years. Covid taught us many lessons with the most Important being we don’t get to decide when crisis can bring our business operations to a grinding halt. The good news is our response to crisis is entirely under our control. But where do we start? This interactive session consists of 3 modules that will arm leaders with a strong crisis management foundation to build resilience in their organizations. There will be an overarching theme highlighting the desired human behaviors that are required for success in execution. Winning is a team sport.

Module 1: Foundational concept
Crisis management is a process. Participants will be exposed to the crisis lifecycle, terminology, crisis management team (CMT) composition, hierarchical response and initial CMT priorities. This will evolve into the actual roll up the sleeves processes that are required for successful crisis navigation.

Module 2: Case studies
Case studies and real crisis scenarios from the speaker’s past will be reviewed to highlight common pitfalls in crisis management execution. Additionally, the importance of the after-action process to drive continual learning will be discussed.

Module 3: Practical exercise
Participants will be broken into groups and will collaboratively work through a guided crisis scenario. This immersive process leverages the learnings of the first two modules and culminates with a group discussion.

Dustin Marks is one of the most successful blackjack cheats in history. His talent for staying calm under fire, mastery of psychological manipulation, and his perfection of sleight-of-hand cheating moves made him the quintessential cheat.  During the 1980s, he worked as a blackjack dealer at several Las Vegas casinos. Despite surveillance cameras and pit bosses watching him, he was never caught. Discover the incredible true story he lived.

Duration 3 hours
Who will benefit most from this seminar? Table Games Management, Surveillance

Overview
This seminar has been revised and updated to focus specifically on identifying advantage play opportunities for players on table games. Advantage play refers to legal methods used to gain an advantage while gambling, in contrast to cheating.

Module 1: Predictive Analysis
A focus on card tracking techniques. What to look for and how to protect against card counting, side bet counting, shuffle tracking and beating shuffle machines.

Module 2: Card Knowledge
A focus on the advantage gained by identifying cards before they are revealed in the game. What to look for and how to protect against hole carding blackjack, hole carding other games, first card advantage, location plays and players sharing card information on the table during the game.

Module 3: Exploiting Equipment
A focus on techniques used by players to exploit gaming equipment. What to look for and how to protect against edge sorting, imperfect cards, flawed wheels and dice manipulation. At the end of this module Bill Zender will hold a 10 minute “ask me anything” Q & A session.

Duration 3 hours
Who will benefit most from this seminar? Table Games Management, Surveillance

Overview
Debi Nutton made history in 2024 as the first operational casino executive inducted into the Gaming Hall of Fame. Now retired from day-to-day operations, she shares the hard-earned insights that defined her decades-long career. Debi reveals the keys to running a successful casino—how to lead people effectively, balance protection with profit, and build a culture where employees are loyal, happy, and highly productive. She believes lasting change happens only when leaders are hands-on, engaged, and genuinely inspired.

Module 1: Leading Self – The Foundation of Leadership-Authenticity
Understanding that leadership begins with self-awareness, authenticity, and personal values.

Module 2: Leading Others – Inspiring and Developing Teams
Explore how to lead, coach, and empower others to achieve their best.

Module 3: Leading for Impact – Shaping Culture and Legacy
Focus on the broader influence leaders have—how to sustain vision, navigate change, and leave a legacy.

Duration 3 hours
Who will benefit most from this seminar? Policy Makers, Surveillance Directors, IT Security Managers

Overview
As the gaming industry faces a rapidly evolving landscape of cyber threats, it’s essential for executives to cultivate a strategic approach to cybersecurity. This course is designed to elevate leaders’ understanding of key cyber risks and equip them with the insights needed to build an effective, resilient cybersecurity strategy. Through focused discussions and case studies, participants will gain awareness of the critical elements in cyber defense, emphasizing strategy over tactics.

Module 1: Understanding Online Threats
This module introduces executives to the core threats affecting the casino industry, including social engineering, insider threats, OSINT, and the influence of the dark web. Through real-world case studies, leaders will gain a high-level view of how these threats impact organizations and the importance of a proactive, strategic response.

Module 2: Building a Cybersecurity Strategy
In this module, participants will explore foundational elements of a cybersecurity strategy, including risk assessments, policy development, and resource allocation. The focus will be on building a robust framework that supports risk-informed decision-making. Topics will also cover the role of incident response planning and exercises, budgeting, training programs, as well as strategies for managing vendor-related risks.

Module 3: Advanced Strategic Considerations
The final module addresses privacy management, data protection, breaches, and the role of deception and disinformation techniques in a holistic security strategy. Through examples of high-level protection strategies, participants will learn to prioritize cybersecurity initiatives that align with the organization’s objectives and risk tolerance.

Duration 3 hours
Who will benefit most from this seminar? Surveillance Directors, Managers, Supervisors

Overview
A knowledgeable surveillance professional with strong leadership skills and the ability to manage an efficient high-performance department is an asset to any casino organization. But how does one become a good Surveillance Director? How do you set up a surveillance operation that casino executives cannot only rely on but brag about? This class is taught by 39-year casino surveillance veteran Willy Allison who breaks down his Four Pillars of Surveillance: People, Operations, Communication and Information.

Module 1: Creating a Great Team
The most important component of a great surveillance operation is people. In this module the following topics will be covered: Leadership, Clearly Defined Objectives, Recruitment, Training and Performance Management.

Module 2: Building a House
The monitor room is the home of surveillance professionals. Setting your house up with solid foundations in the beginning can save a lot of problems down the line but more importantly it should make people feel comfortable and give them the tools to perform their job. In this module the following topics will be covered: CCTV Design, Monitor Room and Amenities, Operating Procedures, Quality Assurance, Labor Efficiency, Reporting Systems and Player Analysis Systems.

Module 3: Proactive Produces
There’s been a lot spoken about what is “proactive”. Willy doesn’t think proactive is about taking a lifesaver tower approach. He believes proactive is about getting quality information and intel, clear and concise customer and employee communication and building trusting and respectful relationships with partners who share the same objectives. In this module the following topics will be covered: Electronic Alerts, Gaming Data, Staff and Customer Information, Customer and Staff Communication, Regulators, Networks, Vendors and Suppliers.

Our Welcome Reception is a don’t miss tradition at the WGPC. This year we’re thrilled to announce that the super talented YouTube sensation Jeremy Tan  – the CEO of making you go, “WHAAAT!? – will share with us his unique blend of magic and comedy. We’re also adding a sporty theme to the night. Come dressed in your favorite jersey. It’s a great conversation starter and a way to show off your team loyalty!

The Welcome Reception is open to conference delegates, speakers, sponsors and registered exhibitors. Light snacks and refreshing drinks will be served.  Don’t forget to wear your WGPC badge for easy entry!