Opportunities to Learn, Lead, and Connect in 2026

Published February 17, 2026

As we move through these winter doldrums, I am energized by the opportunities in front of us. The lottery industry isn’t standing still, and neither are we. New technologies, evolving player expectations, and growing responsibilities continue to shape the way we operate. What gives me confidence isn’t just our ability to adapt, but our willingness to learn from one another along the way.

For 2026, NASPL is creating meaningful opportunities for members to stay ahead of the game while staying connected to one another. Our upcoming events and educational offerings are designed to help us move the industry forward – together.

We begin April 27–30 in Cleveland with the NASPL Lottery Leadership Institute, hosted by the Ohio Lottery. LLI remains one of our most impactful programs, purpose-built to cultivate the next generation of lottery leaders. In an environment that requires agility, strategic thinking, and strong communication and collaboration skills, investing in leadership development is not optional; it is essential. Cleveland will provide the backdrop for emerging and current leaders to sharpen their skills, broaden their perspectives, and build relationships that will shape the future of our industry. Registration is open now. Act now, as space is limited.

In June, we’ll convene in Chicago for the NASPL Directors Meeting, hosted by the Illinois Lottery. The Directors Meeting is a forum for candid dialogue among lottery directors and senior leadership about the most pressing issues facing our organizations – from legislative developments and modernization efforts to technology, player engagement, and responsible gambling. It also provides the setting for critical dialogue between lotteries and our valued Associate Member Partners. At a time of rapid change, collaboration at the executive level has never been more important.

Our focus on professional growth continues July 27–30 in Seattle, where Washington’s Lottery will host the NASPL Professional Development Seminar. PDS is designed to equip professionals across all functional areas – including marketing, product management, finance, audit, public relations, IT, security, sales, legal and research – with practical tools and actionable insights. This year’s program will also include an optional bonus day featuring responsible gambling education and training. The Nebraska Lottery and I had the pleasure of hosting PDS in 2024, and I can say from experience that this event provides a unique opportunity to connect with peers, tackle real-world challenges, learn from proven case studies, and expand your professional network. NASPL is now seeking presenters to share their insights, experiences, or innovative ideas at PDS. If you would like to be a speaker at this premier industry event, submit your application here.

We will close the 2026 conference calendar with the NASPL ’26 Annual Conference and Trade Show, September 21–24 in Orlando, hosted by the Florida Lottery. Our Annual Conference remains the cornerstone event of the lottery industry in North America. Exciting keynote speakers and informative educational tracks offer invaluable insights while the interactive trade show provides an unparalleled opportunity to mix and mingle with our Associate Member Partners and industry vendors. And you won’t want to miss the annual NASPL Awards, celebrating outstanding creativity, innovation, and forward-thinking initiatives in the areas of marketing and communications, customer engagement, and new games.

Beyond our in-person events, NASPL will continue delivering value year-round through a robust webinar series. Starting soon, we will present a focused series on RFPs, offering practical guidance on best practices, procurement integrity, evaluation strategies, and lessons learned from recent processes. We have a virtual ethics seminar on the docket for audit folks this spring. And we will also feature dedicated webinars on responsible gambling, as we continue to reinforce responsible gambling as a shared priority across all jurisdictions. More information on these virtual events will be available soon.

I encourage every NASPL member – whether you are a new professional, a seasoned executive, or somewhere in between – to engage fully in the year ahead. Attend. Contribute. Collaborate. Mentor. Learn.

The lottery industry continues to evolve, shaped by technology, player expectations, regulatory dynamics, and more. Our strength lies not only in our individual organizations, but in our collective willingness to learn from one another and to raise the bar together.

I look forward to seeing you – across North America and online – throughout the year.

Brian Rockey

Director, Nebraska Lottery

NASPL President