Keynote speakers at the 29th Annual East Coast Gaming Congress (ECGC), the longest-running gaming conference in the United States, will identify the challenges and opportunities facing the global gaming industry in the new year. The industry’s most influential leaders will convene April 14–15, 2026, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
With the 2026 theme “Gaming in Transition,” ECGC will explore the forces reshaping the global gaming landscape, from technological innovation to regulatory change and market expansion. A distinguished lineup of keynote speakers—representing many of the industry’s top operators and organizations—will address the new realities defining gaming’s next chapter.
“Our conference was built on the idea that the most meaningful progress happens when leaders speak directly to leaders,” said Conference co-founder Michael Pollock, Senior Policy Advisor to Spectrum Gaming Group. “As gaming continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, that dialogue is more important than ever.”
Conference co-founder Lloyd D. Levenson, CEO of Cooper Levenson, added: “The industry is navigating transformational change—from artificial intelligence to new market development. ECGC gathers top industry voices for strategic discussions shaping the future of gaming.”
The 2026 program will tackle key issues including artificial intelligence, prediction markets, iGaming expansion, lottery growth, and the anticipated development of full-service casino resorts in the Downstate New York market.
Confirmed keynote speakers include:
- James F. (Jim) Allen, Chairman, Hard Rock International; CEO, Seminole Gaming
- David S. Cordish, Chairman, The Cordish Companies
- Jay Dorris, President and CEO, Wind Creek Hospitality
- Tim Drehkoff, CEO, Rush Street Gaming
- Joe Hasson, COO, Mohegan
- Soo Kim, Chairman, Bally’s Corporation
- Bill Miller, President and CEO, American Gaming Association
- Thomas R. Reeg, Chief Executive Officer, Caesars Entertainment
- Jay Snowden, CEO and President, PENN Entertainment
Additional keynote speakers and panel topics will be announced in the coming weeks.
ECGC will also present its Lifetime Achievement Award to the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) in recognition of its longstanding commitment to the integrity and principles of gaming licensure.
Over nearly three decades, ECGC has welcomed an unmatched roster of speakers, including six sitting, former, and acting governors of New Jersey and every CEO who has led the American Gaming Association. The 2026 conference will again offer premier opportunities for sponsorship, networking, professional development, and high-level business-to-business engagement.
For more information or to register, visit www.ecgc.us or contact Angela Robinson at arobinson@cooperlevenson.com.
