Las Vegas City Wire

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) International Gaming Institute has named a new executive director.

According to a news release shared by the university, Brett Abarbanel, Ph.D., will spearhead the nonprofit academic institution that delivers studies and guidance for the international gaming sector.

“It is an honor to step into the role of executive director at International Gaming Institute (IGI), a world-renowned research, education and innovation hub for the study of gambling with a brilliant staff,” Abarbanel said of the appointment that took effect Jan. 1. 

She is well versed in the history of gaming, networking, video games, esports and traditional sports with over 20 years of experience in the business and has been director of research at IGI since 2016. She has presented her art in more than 20 other nations as well as numerous U.S. states.

Previously, Abarbanel also served at the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Centre as a research affiliate and at UNLV's William F. Harrah College of Hospitality as an associate professor. Additionally, she worked at The University of California, Los Angeles Gambling Studies Program as the director of social and recreational gambling research.

Her research on sportsbook patronage and online gambling user experiences garnered her the Best Thesis and Best Dissertation prizes. 

She graduated from Brown University with bachelor's degrees in statistics and architectural studies then attended UNLV for her master's and Ph.D. degrees, also working for IGI as a grad student.

Reflecting on her new role, Abarbanel said, “As the gaming world continues to evolve and expand. I am eager to collaborate with our many stakeholders in higher education, government, nonprofit and industry and build on IGI’s established momentum to improve industry learning, create workforce pipelines and diversify the scope of knowledge in this field.”