The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States elected Georgia State Representative Al Williams as President at its Summer Meeting in San Diego this month.
Williams, who had served as NCLGS President-Elect since 2023, is a veteran lawmaker and civil rights leader, and a voice on responsible governance. He will lead NCLGS as it continues to strengthen its role as a forum for informed, bipartisan education on gambling and gambling policy.
“I am deeply honored to serve as President of NCLGS and grateful for the confidence my fellow legislators have placed in me,” Williams said in a statement. “For more than two decades, I’ve worked to ensure that Georgia and states across the country approach gaming with integrity, responsibility, and a clear understanding of how these policies affect our communities. NCLGS is the only organization where lawmakers can come together openly and constructively to examine the fast‑changing gaming landscape.
Williams has more than two decades of legislative experience. Elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 2002, he has served on key committees including the Rural Development Council, Appropriations Subcommittee for Public Safety, the Special Subcommittee on State Prisons, the House Rules Committee, and committees focused on economic development and tourism, defense and veteran affairs, game fish and parks, and regulated industries.
A Vietnam War veteran and civil rights advocate, Williams marched in the 1963 March on Washington and in the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery March, and was jailed 17 times for his activism. His leadership extends beyond the legislature through roles with Fair Fight Action, the Liberty County Development Authority, and other civic and community organizations.
“Having witnessed the evolution of NCLGS from its inception, I’m excited to support President Williams and our newly elected officers as we continue our mission,” said NCLGS Founder and General Counsel, and former Florida State Senator Steven Geller. “The dynamic landscape of gaming requires adaptive strategies and informed decision-making. I am confident that under Representative Williams’ guidance, NCLGS will remain at the forefront of responsible gaming policy development.”
NCLGS also announced the officers who will serve alongside Williams:
- West Virginia State Senator Jason Barrett, First Vice President
- Massachusetts State Representative Michael Finn, Second Vice President
- Kansas State Representative Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, Secretary
- Ohio State Senator Bill DeMora, Treasurer
Geller and Immediate Past President West Virginia Delegate Shawn Fluhart will also serve as officers for the 2026-2027 annual period.
This bipartisan slate reflects the broad geographic and political diversity of NCLGS and underscores the organization’s commitment to “balanced, transparent, and forward‑looking legislative dialogue.”
Under Williams’ leadership, NCLGS will continue expanding its role as a national resource for legislators confronting issues such as sports betting integrity, igaming, prediction markets, tribal‑state relations, illegal gambling, and emerging technologies reshaping the gaming ecosystem.
“I look forward to working with our new slate of officers as well as our founder and immediate past president as NCLGS continues to build a strong, bipartisan foundation for the future of gambling in America,” Williams said. “Together, we will ensure that NCLGS remains the trusted voice for legislators navigating new technologies, emerging markets, and evolving regulatory challenges.”
