Sara Slane has worked for the American Gaming Association as a senior vice president and as a vice president with MGM Resorts International. She is the founder of Slane Advisory, a global gaming strategies company.
In her new role as a distinguished fellow for The International Center for Gaming Regulation at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Slane wants to use her multi-faceted background to bring together diverse, and sometimes diverging, gaming interests.
“It’s a really hard position to take because you actually have to corral people around a unified position,” Slane said Friday after it was announced she will lead The Center’s Thought Leadership Council on sports betting. “And not just as competitors who are fiercely competitive. At the end of the day, we all need to realize that there are bigger issues that impact the industry writ large, and we have to put aside our differences to think about how we can collectively tackle issues together.”
With the AGA, Slane helped develop strategies that led to the overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). For MGM Resorts, she led a ballot initiative in Maryland that culminated in a license for MGM National Harbor.
“Sara offers an important perspective as an industry expert, trusted advocate, and leading voice in the gaming industry,” said Joe Bertolone, executive director of The Center, in a statement. “Her insights will help us further The Center’s contributions to the gaming ecosystem.”
Slane plans to concentrate on two facets of the burgeoning sports gambling industry: Helping new operators navigate myriad regulatory complexities and streamlining collaborations among various stakeholders. She especially is interested in the shift from sports betting at brick-and-mortar casinos to online outlets and plans to address issues that affect both consumers and gaming operators.
Responsible gaming will also be an area of emphasis.
“You have to view every expansion of gaming through the risk side of problem gambling,” Slane said. “Especially because this is rolling out on a state-by-state basis, and there will be national media coverage of this, you have to think about the downside (of sports gambling). Unfortunately, there will be people who have problem gambling issues. How are you going to tackle that and how are you going to educate and not oversaturate the market with corporate advertising?”
Slane also plans to encourage and advocate for the inclusion of women and minorities in gaming industries, and help gaming operators understand the regulatory complexities of sports gambling.
