SiGMA Magazine: Dr Kasra Ghaharian on ethics of AI in Gaming
Dr. Kasra Ghaharian, Director of Research at the UNLV International Gaming Institute, was featured in SiGMA Magazine , unveiled at BiS SiGMA Americas 2025 in São Paulo last month. The feature explores Dr. Ghaharian’s pivotal role at the intersection of artificial intelligence and iGaming, spotlighting his influence on the industry’s ethical and technological evolution.
A recognized authority on data science and gambling, Dr. Ghaharian unpacks the “ethical paradox” facing the sector: AI’s power to both enhance player engagement and detect problematic behaviours. He warns that while AI-driven personalization can boost commercial outcomes, it also risks encouraging excessive play dilemmas demanding urgent industry attention. His solution? Break down internal silos and foster collaboration between commercial and responsible gambling teams, ensuring that AI is harnessed for both innovation and harm prevention.
Dr. Ghaharian advocates for robust governance, recommending dedicated “Responsible AI” personnel and the creation of cross-functional AI Ethical Review Boards. Such measures, he argues, are essential to vetting new AI applications, promoting transparency, and proactively mitigating risks before products reach the market. Transparency, fairness, and explainability must be non-negotiable pillars of AI deployment, with sector-specific guidance and, where necessary, regulatory frameworks modelled on the EU AI Act to ensure compliance and consumer protection.
He also highlights the global patchwork of AI regulation, noting that approaches vary widely-from the EU’s cautious, oversight-heavy stance to the US’s market-driven, innovation-focused ethos. For operators navigating multiple jurisdictions, Dr. Ghaharian urges alignment with broad regulatory frameworks to future-proof their operations in a rapidly evolving landscape.
As the AI revolution reshapes iGaming, Dr. Ghaharian’s insights offer a blueprint for balancing innovation with responsibility. To stay ahead of the curve and join the conversation on the future of gaming, follow SiGMA’s global events-next stop: SiGMA Asia summit, June 1–4.
