Seton Hall University’s School of Law held its Fifth Annual Gaming Law, Compliance, and Integrity Bootcamp earlier this month, drawing a record of more than 130 participants including a who’s who roster of speakers.

The robust participation and growth of the event each year underscores the rapid acceleration of legal gaming‘s popularity, which in turn has created industry demand for in-depth education about compliance, integrity and ethics.

“As the sports betting industry grows in size and complexity, it becomes increasingly important to educate its professionals on compliance and legal best practices,” said Devon Corneal, associate dean for academics at Seton Hall Law School. “Our annual Bootcamp is intended to do just that.”

NJBIZ has reported on past iterations of the event.

The Gaming Law, Compliance, and Integrity Bootcamp aims to:

• Enhance attendees’ understanding of how to foster an ethical business culture
• Expand knowledge of the history, structure and future of the gaming industry
• Teach key aspects of U.S. and E.U. gaming regulatory frameworks
• Share specific tools and best practices to prevent, detect and mitigate corruption and fraud in gaming

The program launched in March 2020. At the time, making Seton Hall Law School one of the first higher education institutions to connect students and community members with compliance and regulatory executives from the legal gaming industry in a formal, educational setting. The program was seed funded by Entain Foundation U.S., a nonprofit dedicated to promoting responsible gaming, sports integrity and corporate compliance. In 2024, Bronze Sponsorship funding was provided by BetMGM.

The two-day event featured more than 50 speakers (the full list is available here). The experts represented fields such as sports betting and casino operations, gaming regulation, law, consulting and more. Topics ranged from responsible gaming to compliance to esports, anti-corruption prevention, cybersecurity and more.

Importance of education

Martin Lycka is senior vice president for American regulatory affairs and responsible gaming for Entain as well as a trustee for Entain Foundation U.S. She said that the long-term sustainability of the gambling industry depends on robust regulation and enhanced consumer protection.

“This is why we need dedicated and skilled professionals in regulatory affairs and compliance,” said Lycka. “Educating these professionals and inspiring them to rededicate their focus on compliance and integrity is a key objective of the Bootcamp.”

Corneal noted that each year, organizers adjust their programming to meet the current needs of the industry.

“I am confident that this year’s event will empower our participants to return to their work armed with the latest insights and best approaches for ensuring a safe, sustainable, and ethical industry,” Corneal added.

Bill Pascrell III, faculty member of the bootcamp and partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group, described the program as a landmark event for the industry.

“The Bootcamp has trained countless gaming industry professionals in best practices, compliance, and integrity, all of which help make the gambling industry more impactful and responsible,” said Pascrell in a press release.

Room to grow

NJBIZ recently caught up with Pascrell to discuss the event. He told NJBIZ that he was thrilled with the turnout at the bootcamp.

“It’s the largest turnout we’ve had,” he said. “A good core – 60 speakers, 100-plus attendees. So, it was great. I thought it was a really good event.”

In the coming months, organizers will conduct a debrief of sorts to discuss what went well, what can be improved, and how to continue to grow the program.

Pascrell then ran through some of the main topics and areas of discussion from the event – noting that the agenda was very focused.

“We talked about a lot of things – diversity, equity, and inclusion was a big topic. Compliance continues to be a big topic,” he explained. “Obviously, a lot of talk about responsible gaming – a lot of talk about the future of iGaming and which states could be next.”

He pointed out that they have a general template in place, but echoing Corneal, said they are always looking to evolve.

“We have the template in place because we just had our fifth Bootcamp. Each one is stronger and better. Our content is great. We’re never going to lockdown on content – because it’s an ever-changing world.”

Not a typical conference

Pascrell stressed that these types of events are critical for a number of reasons. That covers being able to get all of the different stakeholders in one room, who normally may not get to connect, to discuss the aforementioned issues above, as well as offering opportunities for entities like fund managers and startups to potentially link up.

He said the Bootcamp has been well-received by participants and attendees because it is not like a typical conference. It offers a real deep dive into the topics, as opposed to some of the limited time for such discussion at other industry conferences.

“The feedback I’ve gotten is very good. And what I love to hear is when somebody comes up to me – whether they are a friend, or just an acquaintance, or a client, or potentially a future client, somebody in the industry – and says, ‘Bill, I got to get to this next year. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it – but I had other commitments.’ So, it’s been positive – very positive,” he said.

As the conversation closed, Pascrell, a Seton Hall Law alum, emphasized how meaningful the event is to him. It was an idea he along with Lycka to the school, which he says has embraced it.

“I’m proud to be able to say – we’re hosting it at my alma mater. I think it continues to do well,” he explained, noting they not a conference organizer just merely trying to make a profit. “And hopefully, we will just continue to build.”