TribalNet Conference to Feature Gaming System Providers Panel With Video Poker Manufacturers IGT and Aristocrat

The TribalNet Conference & Tradeshow, scheduled for Sept. 20–24 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, has released its agenda with a strengthened focus on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Now in its 27th year, the event brings together IT professionals, gaming and hospitality executives, and tribal healthcare teams. For video poker players and casino visitors, several sessions directly address the technology shaping the machines and experiences they encounter.

Gaming system providers panel

A session of particular interest to video poker players is the gaming-system-providers panel. Representatives from IGT, Aristocrat, Light & Wonder and CasinoTrac will discuss the future of tribal gaming, new advancements in gaming systems, and how casinos can better leverage their casino-management-system capabilities. IGT and Aristocrat are two of the largest manufacturers of video poker machines, so the conversation will likely touch on the evolution of video poker hardware and software. The panel will be moderated by Patrick Tinklenberg, vice president of IT at Sycuan Casino Resort, and will also address security in an age of increasing cyberattacks.

Guest experience and mobile apps

Another gaming session will focus on using technology to improve guest experiences. Rohith Kori, senior vice president of product strategy and food and beverage at Agilysys, and Xavier Grace of Quick Custom Intelligence will explore cutting-edge technologies that transform the guest journey from check-in to cash-out. A separate session tackles mobile apps, which many casinos now use for booking, mobile gaming, digital keys, cashless payments and loyalty rewards. The Chickasaw Nation, operator of WinStar World Casino and Resort, will share its approach to managing a robust app. These developments affect how video poker players interact with machines, especially as cashless and loyalty integration become more common.

AI and cybersecurity tracks

Artificial intelligence has its own track for the third year, and it has been expanded. Mike Day, CEO of TribalHub, the event organizer, said AI tools are being pushed out that can identify cybersecurity vulnerabilities in products, including gaming systems. “These things are being released in the wild now and putting gaming and hospitality (and their games) and everybody else at great risk,” Day said. The AI track aims to prepare attendees for emerging threats and opportunities. For video poker players, stronger AI-driven security could mean more reliable and trustworthy machines.

Regulatory and leadership sessions

A session on the relationship between regulatory bodies and IT departments will discuss balancing innovation with compliance. Jamie Hummingbird, chairman of the National Tribal Gaming Commissioners & Regulators Association, will be a speaker. Another leadership track, designed for non-IT executives, emphasizes that technology is a strategic leadership issue. Day said, “Technology is going to define what level of success you’re going to reach and whether you are going to be able to compete and do better than your competitor.”

Key facts

Why this matters for video poker players

The conference agenda signals that casino technology is evolving rapidly, from machine security to mobile integration. The presence of major video poker manufacturers on the gaming panel suggests that video poker machines are part of the broader tribal gaming future. Players who stay informed about these developments can better understand changes in the machines they play and the features casinos may introduce, such as cashless play or app-based loyalty.

Source: CDC Gaming Reports – https://cdcgaming.com/agenda-set-for-tribalnet-conference-in-dallas-in-september/