Korbi Carrison discusses the technology, innovation and international collaboration shaping G2E and the future of global gaming. By Peter White
As the global gaming industry continues to evolve at remarkable speed, G2E Las Vegas remains a key meeting point for the people, ideas and technologies shaping its future. From artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to payments, hospitality, iGaming and the changing player experience, the boundaries of the modern gaming business are expanding rapidly.
With G2E Las Vegas 2026 set to bring together more than 25,000 industry professionals from over 120 countries, regions and territories, Casino Life Magazine spoke with Korbi Carrison, Show Director, G2E, about what lies ahead for this year’s event and the wider industry.
In this exclusive interview, Carrison discusses the priorities for G2E 2026, the growing influence of AI and technology, the importance of international collaboration, the evolving role of the casino dealer, and why the human element remains at the heart of gaming. She also looks beyond this year’s show to consider how G2E, and the global gaming industry, could develop over the next five years.
G2E Las Vegas has become one of the most important events on the global gaming calendar. What do you believe makes the show so important to the industry today?
There is value in having so much of the industry together in one place. Operators, suppliers, regulators and technology companies all come to G2E with different goals but also face many of the same questions. The show gives them a chance to see new products, talk openly about what is happening in their markets and learn from one another. Those conversations are especially valuable at a time when the industry is changing so quickly. With more than 25,000 professionals expected from over 120 countries, regions and territories, attendees will hear perspectives from across the global gaming industry.
Image: Event Vice President, G2E at RX USA
What are the key priorities for G2E Las Vegas 2026, and what are you hoping the show will deliver for exhibitors, operators and visitors?
We want everyone to feel their time at G2E was well spent. For an exhibitor, that might mean meeting an operator who is actively looking for the type of product they offer. For an operator, it might mean finding a solution to a problem they have been trying to solve or hearing how another property approached a similar challenge. Other visitors might come for the education program, the networking or a broader look at where the industry is heading. Our job is to bring those opportunities together and give people several ways to find value during the week.
The gaming industry is undergoing significant change, particularly with the rapid development of AI and new technologies. How is G2E reflecting these changes?
The new Business Solutions & Tech Zone is a major part of how we are responding. Technology is no longer limited to the casino floor. It now touches marketing, finance, human resources, security, hospitality and nearly every other part of an integrated resort. The zone will feature AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, payments, CRM and marketing technology, along with other enterprise solutions. These subjects will also appear throughout the education program. We want attendees to see the products, hear how companies are using them and have honest conversations about the risks and responsibilities involved.
AI is generating enormous interest across gaming. What areas of AI do you believe could have the greatest impact on the casino industry over the next few years?
I think the biggest impact will come in areas where AI helps people do their jobs better. Fraud detection, cybersecurity and customer service are a few clear examples. AI also gives operators a better understanding of their guests and helps teams respond faster. Still, there needs to be a person behind those decisions. Privacy, accuracy and oversight should stay at the center of the conversation.
Technology is one thing, but ultimately gaming is about people and the player experience. What innovations are you seeing that could genuinely improve that experience?
The best innovations remove friction without making the experience feel less personal. We are seeing continued work in payments, loyalty programs, mobile technology, customer service and game design. Guests want experiences that feel easy and relevant to them, whether they are playing, checking into a hotel, dining or attending a show. Technology should also help employees serve guests more effectively. It should not get in the way of the human interaction people remember. G2E gives operators a chance to see these products in action, ask detailed questions and decide whether they fit the needs of their properties and customers.
The G2E Dealer Championship has put the spotlight on the skills and professionalism of casino dealers. Why do you think this recognition is important for the industry?
A great dealer makes a difficult job look easy. They manage the game, maintain accuracy, engage with players and keep the table moving, often at the same time. The championship gives people a closer look at the skill and professionalism behind that experience. It also gives dealers recognition in front of their peers and the wider industry. The response during the first championship was great. Attendees gathered around the tables, followed the rounds and cheered for the competitors. It became clear very quickly that people wanted to celebrate the dealers and the work they do.
Do you see the Dealer Championship developing further in the future, and could it become an important part of G2E's identity?
Yes, I think it has a lot of potential. The first year gave us a strong foundation, and this year we are welcoming 50 dealers from across North America. The championship brings a different kind of energy to the expo floor because people return throughout the competition to see what happens next. More importantly, it celebrates the people who bring table games to life every day. We will continue listening to the dealers, judges, operators and attendees as we think about the future. We want it to grow in a way that keeps the focus on skill, hospitality and professionalism.
G2E attracts exhibitors and visitors from across the world. How important is international participation to the show's success and to the wider US gaming industry?
It is a major part of what makes G2E valuable. Gaming markets develop differently depending on their regulations, customers and business environments. When people from those markets come together, everyone gains a wider perspective. International attendees bring different ideas about technology, operations, player engagement and regulation. They also build relationships with U.S. operators and suppliers, while U.S. companies learn more about opportunities outside their home market. With attendees expected from more than 120 countries, regions and territories, G2E becomes a place where those conversations happen naturally.
With gaming becoming increasingly global, are you seeing greater interest and collaboration between US-based operators and international gaming companies?
Yes! Companies are interested in learning what is working in other markets and how those ideas might apply to their own businesses. International suppliers want to better understand the needs of U.S. operators, and U.S. companies want exposure to products and approaches developing elsewhere. G2E makes those introductions easier because people are already in Las Vegas and ready to have those conversations. Sometimes the first meeting happens at a booth or after a session, and it develops into something more over time. Bringing international and U.S.-based companies together helps strengthen the entire show.
The casino industry is expanding its focus beyond traditional gaming, with hospitality, entertainment, food and beverage and technology becoming increasingly interconnected. How is G2E reflecting this broader gaming ecosystem?
The casino industry is much more than its gaming floor, and G2E needs to reflect the full business. Visitors will still see the games and equipment they expect, but they will also find products related to payments, security, marketing, hospitality, loyalty and resort operations. The Business Solutions & Tech Zone expands that even further by bringing enterprise technology into a dedicated space. Our education program also includes the total property experience, with sessions related to leadership, cybersecurity, human resources, hospitality and operations. All of these areas affect the guest experience, so it makes sense to bring them into the same conversation.
What do you think are the biggest challenges currently facing casino operators, and how can an event such as G2E help them find solutions?
Operators are balancing a lot at once. They are responding to changing customer expectations, evaluating new technology, protecting data, managing costs, and finding and retaining employees. They are also doing all of this in a highly regulated business. G2E lets them examine those challenges from several angles. Someone might attend a session, see a related product demonstration and then speak with another operator who has dealt with the same issue. Operators are not receiving one answer from one source. They are gathering information, comparing experiences and deciding what makes the most sense for their organization.
Responsible gaming continues to be an important industry priority. What role does G2E play in encouraging discussion and the exchange of ideas around responsible gaming?
Responsible gaming is one of the core areas within the education program, but it also connects with many other subjects at G2E. It is part of conversations about technology, payments, marketing, regulation and player engagement. The show brings operators, regulators, researchers, suppliers and advocates together, which gives the discussion a wider range of perspectives. Attendees hear about research, new tools and the work taking place inside organizations. Responsible gaming should be part of everyday business decisions, and G2E helps keep it connected to the other conversations shaping the industry.
After more than two decades, G2E has witnessed enormous changes in the gaming industry. Looking back, what developments have surprised you most?
The range of subjects now covered at G2E is striking. The traditional casino floor remains important, but today we are also talking about iGaming, sports betting, digital payments, AI, cybersecurity, hospitality and enterprise technology. These areas are becoming more connected every year. The speed of change has also been significant. Some ideas move from early discussion to real-world use much faster than people expect. What has not changed is the value of meeting in person. People still want to see products for themselves, ask questions directly and spend time with others who understand their business.
Conversely, are there any predictions about the future of gaming that you believe have not yet received enough attention?
People spend a lot of time talking about new technology, but not always enough time talking about what it takes to introduce it successfully. A tool might look impressive, but companies still need reliable data, employee training and strong oversight. Workforce development and change management deserve more attention as technology becomes part of more roles. Cybersecurity and vendor access are also important because every new system creates additional questions about data and risk. The future will not be defined only by which tools companies choose. It will also depend on how well their teams are prepared to use them.
Image: Elleonor Hoffman, Dealer at Graton Resort and 2025 G2E Dealer Championship Winner
What can visitors expect to see, experience or learn at G2E Las Vegas 2026 that you believe will be particularly significant?
There will be a lot to see across the show. Nearly 400 exhibitors will present products spanning casino gaming, iGaming, sports betting, payments, hospitality and technology. The Business Solutions & Tech Zone will make its debut with solutions involving AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, payments, CRM and marketing. The Dealer Championship will return with an expanded field, and the iGaming Hub will offer dedicated sessions and networking. Visitors will also have access to more than 100 education sessions and 330 speakers, along with the Main Stage, New Exhibitor Zone, Networking Lounge and Media Zone. People will be able to build their time around the parts of the show most relevant to them.
Finally, looking beyond the 2026 event, where do you see G2E — and the global gaming industry — heading over the next five years?
I expect the show to become even more global and more connected across different parts of the business. Gaming, hospitality, digital products, payments, security and enterprise technology will continue to overlap, and G2E will reflect those relationships. We will keep listening to attendees and exhibitors so the show addresses the issues they are dealing with and gives them practical reasons to attend. For the industry, the next five years will bring new products, new uses for technology and new questions about regulation and responsibility. G2E will continue giving people a place to work through those changes together.
