2026 G2E Review: Gretzky, top industry CEOs take the stage at world’s largest gambling conference

Near the height of his career, Wayne Gretzky took part in a classic outdoor game held at a parking lot in Caesars Palace, one marred by arid desert conditions and a swarm of grasshoppers that appeared near the floodlights in the final period.

Gretzky, the NHL all-time record holder for career points, retired from the league in 1999, long before the Vegas Golden Knights’ inaugural season. On Tuesday, the “Great One,” returned to “Sin City,” for a keynote presentation at the 2026 Global Gaming Expo. In a flashback to the 1990s, there is some irony that Gretzky and Michael Jordan both made appearances at major gambling conferences on the same day.

Across the Atlantic, Jordan appeared on a panel at the SBC Summit Lisbon with Sportradar CEO Carsten Koerl and Jason Robins of DraftKings. Voted athlete of the 20^th Century by an ESPN panel in 2000, Jordan admitted to gambling heavily in the past on table games and on the golf course. Jordan, a six-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, has never been accused of betting on games involving his team.

The two megastars each made the appearances at a time when sports integrity has reached a crossroads. Next month, a trial for two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, accused of rigging a series of pitches, is scheduled to begin.

The trial in Brooklyn will lead to separate matters involving a bevy of NBA and college basketball players. Chauncey Billups, a member of the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame, is facing charges in an illegal poker cases. Several other NBA players, including former Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier and ex-Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley are facing charges on prop manipulation. On Thursday, prosecutors announced that a co-defendant in Beasley’s case intends to plead guilty.

Time travels back to the Pre-PASPA era

Jordan averaged an astounding 41.0 points per game in the 1993 NBA Finals when he led the Chicago Bulls to their third straight title. In the same year, Gretzky recorded a postseason-high 40 points en route to a Stanley Cup Finals appearance with the Los Angeles Kings.

After capturing the opener against the Montreal Canadiens, the Kings allowed a goal in the waning moments of regulation in Game 2. The Canadiens went on to win 3-2 in overtime and the series in five games.

Both Jordan and Gretzky dominated their respective trades at a time when sports betting was largely considered gauche across the US.

“I’m the worst person to bet against. If you’re going to bet, bet on me, not against me,” Jordan replied.

Unlike Jordan, Gretzky did not addressed gambling in a chat with BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt.

Instead, the hockey legend discussed his love of sports and the motivation that drives the world’s most accomplished athletes. Throughout his career, Gretzky gained a reputation for treating those around him with an inordinate amount of respect.

Gretzky: Dare to be Great

He aimed to reach that standard in interactions with teammates such as Jari Kurri, a fellow member of the International Hockey Hall of Fame, or a security guard stationed outside the home locker room.

“The best athletes in the world, and I mean this in a nice way, are really selfish,” Gretzky said.

“And to be the best or be the lead, you have to be selfish. You have to be dedicated to practicing hard, to preparing well, to getting into a routine.”

In 2006, allegations surfaced that Gretzky’s wife Janet and approximately a half-dozen NHL players placed bets with a mob-linked gambling ring.

Neither Janet Gretzky, nor the players, were accused of making any wagers on hockey.

Gretzky strongly denied any personal involvement in the scandal dubbed “Operation Slapshot.”

Hard Rock construction progresses

The American Gaming Association held G2E against the backdrop of a massive guitar-shaped hotel tower across Las Vegas Boulevard. At 660 feet, or 42 stories, construction for the iconic Hard Rock guitar is nearly complete. The tower is the centerpiece of Hard Rock Las Vegas, the first Tribally-owned and operated casino to be located on The Strip.

There is a slim possibility that this year’s rendition of G2E will be the final one before the completion of multi-billion integrated resort. Following some minor delays, Hard Rock officials now project the resort to open in the fourth quarter of next year. If completed on time, there is wide sentiment that a ribbon-cutting ceremony will not occur until late next year after G2E concludes in October.

Further south, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, a tribal property in Highland, California, promoted a flashy advertisement on Wednesday night across from The Cosmopolitan, an MGM Resorts property. Some of the nation’s largest tribal gaming entities maintained a strong presence at G2E as states and tribes align in their ongoing battle with prediction market operators.

Changing dynamics on The Strip

Construction for the Hard Rock continues, as two Strip conglomerates navigate through a choppy period. Barry Diller’s People Inc. is the top external shareholder of MGM, with an ownership stake of about 66.8 million, or approximately 27% of the company.

Last month, Diller rescinded an offer to buy the remaining MGM shares in a deal that would have valued the company at approximately $18 billion ($48.30 per share). Following People’s withdrawal, MGM reportedly considered a potential counter-bid to acquire the media conglomerate. During a keynote appearance on Tuesday, MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle did not dismiss the possibility of a takeover attempt for People.

Speaking with CNBC’s Contessa Brewer on the G2E main stage, Hornbuckle said MGM will continue to try to “unlock the value of a company,” he believes is “grossly undervalued.” In Thursday’s afternoon session, MGM traded around $30 a share, down 2% on the day. MGM, which is down about 12% year-to-date, remains near multi-year lows.

Caesars Entertainment, MGM’s archrival, traded near a five-year trough in February. Caesars, though, received a lifeline when entrepreneur Tilman Fertitta outbid rival Carl Icahn with an offer that gave the company a total enterprise value of $17.6 billion.

The $31-per-share bid represented a 49% premium over Caesars’ stock price on 25 February, the final day before negotiations of the acquisition went public. While Caesars shareholders approved the deal last month, the transaction still awaits approval from the US Federal Trade Commission. As Caesars awaits the final steps in the go-private deal, CEO Tom Reeg conceded that the pressure of running a public company can be immense at times.

“We’re forced as public companies to think in 90-day increments far more than is healthy for any business,” Reeg said. “That’s not how you run a business.”

Smart inspires crowd with unflappable resilience

As with Gretzky, US activist Elizabeth Smart did not discuss gambling in a keynote appearance on Wednesday. Smart, however, received rousing applause throughout her emotional interview with Meghan Speranzo, co-chair, mentorship, for Global Gaming Women. In 2003, Utah police rescued Smart, then-14, months after her abduction at knifepoint.

Smart urged members of the large audience to find ways to remain optimistic in their most trying times. More than two decades removed from the traumatic event, Smart is a bodybuilder in her spare time.

“You don’t know what tomorrow will bring,” she said. “You don’t know what disaster is awaiting around the corner. The small, happy moments will carry you through your worst and darkest moments.”

After her appearance, Smart sat for a book signing presented by Global Gaming Women. The activist agreed to sign copies of My Story, her 2013 memoir, for the first 100 attendees in line. The oversubscribed line filled up within minutes.

A representative for Smart declined iGB’s request for a brief interview on Wednesday.