Schedule of Events
All DeskCon times in ET. Sessions and times subject to change.
Wednesday, October 6
NASPL Trade Show
New to DeskCon this year is our interactive Trade Show. For the first time, you can visit individual exhibitor pages representing our NASPL Associate Members, where you can view product videos, take part in interactive presentations, video chat with representatives, and more. You can also register interest in the company with a simple click of a button, and an associate will reach out to you directly with more information. It’s a great way to learn what is new in the industry from our most trusted and experienced vendors.
11:00am - Noon ET
Keynote Speaker
Cryptocurrency: How It Will Play A Role in Our Future
Jalak Jobanputra, Founding Partner, Future\Perfect Ventures
As of 2021, global crypto ownership is estimated at only 5%, and there are little over 20,000 businesses worldwide that accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment. But cryptocurrency adoption is growing around the world. In this session, keynote speaker Jalak Jobanputra will discuss investing and the value of cryptocurrency; how cryptocurrency and blockchain technology could bring about a decentralized financial system; and the future effects crypto could have on day-to-day life.
Noon - 1:00pm ET
NASPL Associate Member Panel
Jay Gendron, Chief Operating Officer of Lottery, IGT
Pat McHugh, Executive Vice President and Group Chief Executive of Lottery, Scientific Games
Byron Boothe, Chief Executive Officer, Intralot
Doug Pollard, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Pollard Banknote
Simon Butler, Chief Executive Officer, Abacus Solutions
Moderated by Rebecca Paul, President & Chief Executive Officer, Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation
In this executive-level session, moderated by Rebecca Paul of the Tennessee Education Lottery, our Level One Associate Members from IGT, Intralot, Scientific Games, Abacus and Pollard take on the hottest topics of the industry today and consider where we are going in the future.
1:00pm - 1:45pm ET
Breakout Session
How Do They Do It? A Firsthand Look Inside the Collaboration and Development of the Ohio Lottery’s Responsible Gambling Program
Marlene Warner, Executive Director, Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health
Chelsea Turner, Director of Responsible Gambling, Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health
Karen Russo, Director of Responsible Gambling, Ohio Lottery Commission
Nicole Kostura, Assistant Director, Sales & Marketing, Ohio Lottery Commission
Hear how the Ohio Lottery’s innovative and ongoing commitment to responsible gambling and customized training for their entire team has left others in awe. This presentation will review their overall commitment, from the top down. This includes how, during Problem Gambling Awareness Month 2021, the Ohio Lottery offered three evidence-based trainings, each tailored to staff based on the departments they work in and their individual roles and responsibilities. Also, learn how the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health built the content, measured the success, and how the Lottery and MACGH worked together to plan for future success.
2:00pm - 2:45pm ET
Breakout Session
Powerball 101: The Draw Processes and Security Requirements That Safeguard
America’s Jackpot Game
J. Bret Toyne, Executive Director, Multi-State Lottery Association
Sue Dooley, Director of Draws & Productions, Multi-State Lottery Association
Robert Nitz, Director of Information Security, Multi-State Lottery Association
What happens behind the scenes on a Powerball draw night? With 48 selling lotteries, a thorough system of checks-and-balances is in place to maintain the integrity of the draw. Leaders at the Multi-State Lottery Association will take you step-by-step through the draw process and show you what security requirements must be met by all 48 lotteries and their vendors before and after the winning numbers are drawn; how these requirements strengthen the draw process; and what can be done at the lottery level to resolve situations before they cause a delay.
2:00pm - 2:45pm ET
NASPL Trade Show
New to DeskCon this year is our interactive Trade Show. For the first time, you can visit individual exhibitor pages representing our NASPL Associate Members, where you can view product videos, take part in interactive presentations, video chat with representatives, and more. You can also register interest in the company with a simple click of a button, and an associate will reach out to you directly with more information. It’s a great way to learn what is new in the industry from our most trusted and experienced vendors.
2:45pm - 3:45pm ET
Breakout Session
Strength in Numbers: Understanding the Brand Power of the Lottery
Gregg Edgar, Executive Director, Arizona Lottery
Khalid Jones, Principal, Kolier Group
The retail heft of the lottery is well known. With over $500 billion in total sales since 2015, over 200,000 retail locations in North America, and tens of millions of players in players club databases, few industries can boast the breadth and cultural relevance of lottery. Despite its sales success and ubiquitous, top-of-mind presence, state and municipal lotteries have not yet meaningfully capitalized on the value of the collective brand of lottery in the marketplace, with the power to bring broad exposure to other national and regional brands. This session will explore that potential brand power and how lotteries can use it to drive success.
3:45pm - 4:15pm ET
Breakout Session
Going Back to the DRAWing Board: How Do We Build a Bright Future for Draw Games?
Leslie Badger, Vice President, Lottery Content & Interactive, Scientific Games
Brad Cummings, CEO, EQL Games
Over the summer and fall of 2020, EQL Games conducted a national market research study to test the market viability of its games based on major professional sports such as baseball, basketball and football. Conducted with research partner Ipsos, with the oversight from five state lotteries, this test of nearly 7,000 people nationwide showed that combining live sports and the draw game category makes for an enticing new game experience for players and many non-players as well.
This presentation will reveal the main takeaways from this comprehensive study and illustrate how those findings can help grow the draw game category. This includes creating more winning experiences, better odds of winning, greater player engagement, and the need for new products to be introduced on a regular basis.
3:45pm - 4:15pm ET
Breakout Session
Building a NASPL Research Resource With Jurisdictional Marketplace Data
Brian Rockey, Director, Nebraska Lottery and Charitable Gaming Division
Armando Pérez Cruz, Deputy Director, Lotería Electrónica de Puerto Rico
See how sharing resources can help lotteries promote the currency and relevance of information, support the flexibility of the industry, and save time and money.
4:15pm - 5:00pm ET
