The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance held its first Online Social Games Expo on October 2. SGLA Executive Director Jeff Duncan led the discussion. Yellow Social Interactive Director Paul Foster and Virtual Gaming Worlds Executive Product Advisor Derek Brinkman joined him.
Bryan Schroeder from ARB Interactive General Counsel and Eric Wright, CEO of Kletsel Economic Development Authority, also participated. Wright serves as Tribal Administrator for the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation. The panel tackled what they called widespread misinformation about their sector.
“While the name of our discussion was slightly tongue-in-cheek, the substance of it was not,” Duncan said. He stressed the importance of sharing the industry’s perspective.
Why SGLA Chose This Timing
The expo happened just days before the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas. G2E runs October 6-9, drawing thousands of gaming industry professionals each year.
But SGLA couldn’t secure a similar panel slot at G2E itself. The Association was “denied” when it requested space at the main conference. So they built their own platform instead.
The timing matters for another reason. The Social and Promotional Games Association just consolidated its efforts with SGLA on September 16. That merger strengthened the group’s voice right before this critical industry moment. They wanted maximum impact heading into the Vegas event.
What the Forum Actually Covered
The panel focused on player protection systems and responsible innovation practices. Speakers highlighted their age verification tools in detail. They explained the entertainment value that online social games with sweepstakes promotions provide to players.
Duncan said the discussion covered “a lot of important ground about online social games with sweepstakes promotions.” The forum addressed industry integrity head-on.
The independent format gave speakers room they wouldn’t get elsewhere. No time constraints from a packed conference schedule. No competing panels pulling away their audience. Just focused discussion on topics they chose.
How This Shapes Future Industry Talks
SGLA positioned the expo as proof of the sector’s commitment to proper regulation. The Association says these platforms support players and state economies.
The forum gives operators a documented reference point now. When critics raise concerns, the industry has recorded responses from named leaders. Real companies, actual protection systems, specific verification processes.
Other operators will watch how this approach works. Creating independent forums could become standard practice if SGLA sees results. Especially when traditional conference channels stay closed to them.
The expo also signals something to regulators. The social games sector won’t stay silent while facing what it views as mischaracterisation. They’ll build their own stages when needed.
