Jeremy Locke: “2025 was a year of progress and adaptation for the North American gaming sector”

Jeremy Locke, President of the North American Gaming Regulators Association, speaks with Focus Gaming News about the priorities and challenges the gaming industry brought in 2025 and the plans for 2026.

Exclusive interview.- The gaming industry in North America has experienced major changes in recent years, bringing new objectives and priorities due to its transformation. The rapid evolution has also brought new challenges to regulators in the region.

In an exclusive interview with Focus Gaming News, Jeremy Locke, president of the North American Gaming Regulators Association (NAGRA), said that in 2025, regulators recognised the importance of working together to address shared challenges, leading to unprecedented levels of cooperation. He also shared insights about responsible gaming, the fight against illicit gaming, technological innovation, this year’s priorities, and the plans for 2026.

What is your evaluation of this year’s gaming market development in North America?

The North American gaming market in 2025 was defined by rapid evolution, increased regulatory collaboration, and significant technological innovation. Across the United States and Canada, regulators recognised the importance of working together to address shared challenges, leading to unprecedented levels of cooperation and knowledge exchange.

A major theme throughout the year was the strengthening of sports integrity. Regulatory bodies have been responding to high-profile incidents involving major sports organisations, reinforcing the importance of robust oversight and cross-jurisdictional coordination. These efforts strive to maintain public confidence in regulated gaming products and highlight the interconnectedness of the market.

Responsible gambling continued to be a top priority, with new initiatives launched to unify self-exclusion programs, enhance player education, and provide proactive support tools. These measures reflected a broader commitment to consumer protection and the promotion of safe gaming environments across the continent.

The fight against illicit gaming intensified, as regulators across North America coordinated enforcement actions against unregulated and sweepstakes operators. Tactics such as cease-and-desist letters and legal proceedings were widely employed, demonstrating a unified front in maintaining a fair and secure gaming landscape.

Many states have taken action against prediction markets, including seeking injunctive relief to stop the offering of sports event contracts under the CFTC’s marketplace.

Technological innovation also played a significant role in shaping the market. The emergence of prediction market platforms and new gaming formats prompted regulators to adapt their frameworks and ensure that consumer protections kept pace with industry changes. The regulatory response varied between the United States and Canada, reflecting differences in legal structures and approaches to market oversight.

Overall, 2025 was a year of progress and adaptation for the North American gaming sector. The market benefited from stronger regulatory cooperation, enhanced consumer protections, and a willingness to confront emerging challenges. These trends position the industry for continued growth and resilience in the years ahead.

“A major theme throughout the year was the strengthening of sports integrity. Regulatory bodies have been responding to high-profile incidents involving major sports organizations, reinforcing the importance of robust oversight and cross-jurisdictional coordination.”

Jeremy Locke, president of NAGRA.

What objectives have been achieved regarding regulation in the region this year? Mentioning some of the markets, what important advances have been achieved in Ontario?

This year, the North American gaming regulatory landscape has seen notable progress, particularly through increased collaboration among regulators. Recognising shared challenges within a common market, regulatory bodies have worked together to exchange knowledge, strategies, and best practices. This spirit of cooperation was exemplified by record attendance at the NAGRA conference in Nashville, highlighting the value of collective action.

Significant regulatory actions have been taken to uphold sports integrity, demonstrating the strength and interconnectedness of the regulated market across jurisdictions. High-profile cases involving organisations such as the NBA and NCAA and law enforcement agencies have underscored the importance of robust oversight and collaboration. Additionally, there has been a heightened focus on responsible gambling, with initiatives ranging from unified self-exclusion solutions to enhanced player education and proactive support tools.

Regulators have also presented a unified front against illicit gaming activities, including sweepstakes and other creative gaming models. Common tactics such as cease-and-desist letters and legal actions have been employed to combat unregulated operators, reinforcing the commitment to a safe and fair gaming environment.

In Ontario, several important advances have been made. The establishment of the Responsible Gambling Forum brought together operators and stakeholders to address key issues, resulting in new guidance on monitoring and supporting players at risk. Organisational changes, such as iGaming Ontario (iGO) and Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) coming under a single ministry following iGO’s separation from Ontario’s regulator, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), signal a maturing regulatory framework and the potential for positive reform.

AGCO has taken decisive action against operators for various infractions, issuing substantial penalties for failures in responsible gambling, age verification, and other compliance areas. Enforcement efforts have also targeted illegal gaming machines and unregulated online sites, with collaboration between regulators and media platforms—such as Meta—leading to the removal of top unregulated sites from the province.

Since you have been named president of the NAGRA this year, what have been your top priorities?

First, since becoming president, my focus has been to continue the work of my predecessors to build the NAGRA community.  The long-term success and viability of the North American gaming industry is reliant on maintaining the public confidence in the regulated gaming products. With the increased globalisation of our industry, the development of international relationships is a critical ingredient in supporting high-quality regulatory approaches in an ever-changing landscape. It is, and will be, incredibly important to me to ensure that NAGRA continues to build a community of practice that facilitates relationship building, collaboration, and efficient information sharing.

Second, and equally importantly, I have been focused on ensuring that NAGRA has a strong organisational foundation and that it has the right plan in place to build future success. This includes renewal of its strategic plan. The gaming industry has experienced so much change in the last few years, and it is important that the organisational focus is aligned with this evolving environment.

What emerging trends or technologies in the North American gaming sector do you believe will have the most significant impact in the coming years, and how is NAGRA preparing to address them?

Recently, there has been a surge in “prediction market” offerings and coverage about various platforms offering these products, which operate as designated contract markets. These platforms allow users to trade on the outcomes of events – including sporting events – through instruments known as “futures contracts.” The operators claim these contracts fall under the jurisdiction of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, meaning state-level regulation does not apply.

In practice, many of these contracts function much like traditional sports or event wagers—participants can place bets on outcomes such as the money line, point spread, totals across a variety of sports or novel events. Individuals as young as 18 can join. Unlike state-regulated betting, these markets appear to lack the same consumer protection measures that states typically require for products with addictive potential. At this time, it seems that the prediction market issue is unique to the United States. In Canada, the regulatory framework differs, where all gaming (and lottery products) must be conducted under what is called a “conduct and manage” regime. Prediction market contracts that fit within the concept of a “lottery scheme” would require an operator to have a gaming registration.

Many contracts that are offered by prediction market providers in the United States are already offered by gaming operators in Canada. These include single-event sport betting contracts as well as many of the novelty bet contracts. Those for example, are already permitted in the Ontario gaming landscape, subject to certain requirements within gaming regulation.

Beyond prediction markets, our membership continues to manage and respond to the issue of illegal gaming in their jurisdictions—whether it be illegal gaming sites or illegal skill-based gaming devices—these are issues that challenge the integrity of the legal gaming market.

As an association representing a broad group of gaming regulators with a wide range of mandates, responsibilities and product offerings, the Association’s work is focused on ensuring that our members have access to the resources and support they need as they consider the appropriate state or provincial level response to emerging or persistent issues like prediction market contracts. NAGRA will continue to promote a high level of communication and collaboration between our membership and the broader international regulatory community.

What are NAGRA’s plans for 2026?

NAGRA’s 2026 is shaped by a commitment to proactive leadership and meaningful collaboration within the gaming regulatory community. Following a comprehensive strategic planning process, the Board of Directors has identified several organisational priorities to guide NAGRA’s direction. Recognising the rapid evolution of the gaming sector, NAGRA aims to foster a dynamic community of practice that supports regulators in navigating emerging challenges and opportunities.

In the coming year, NAGRA will deepen its partnerships with leading organizations such as the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR), the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA), and the Gambling Regulators European Forum (GREF). A highlight of 2026 will be the NAGRA annual educational conference, co-located with the International Association of Gaming Advisors in Sarasota, Florida from June 1-4, 2026. This event will be designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration among experts who are addressing the fast-paced changes in gaming markets worldwide.

“Recognizing the rapid evolution of the gaming sector, NAGRA aims to foster a dynamic community of practice that supports regulators in navigating emerging challenges and opportunities.”

Jeremy Locke, president of NAGRA.

Beyond formal events, NAGRA is committed to expanding its presence at key industry gatherings, seeking new opportunities to connect with members and allied associations. These efforts will ensure that NAGRA is a key enabler for its members to remain at the forefront of regulatory innovation, providing its members with access to the latest insights, resources, and best practices. While some details are still being finalised, the overarching goal is to strengthen the network of regulators and enhance collective responses to sectoral developments.

In summary, NAGRA’s plans for 2026 centre on strategic collaboration, sectoral leadership, and the creation of platforms for shared learning—ensuring that regulators are well-equipped to address both current and future challenges in the gaming industry.