Wayne Gretzky made a notable return to Las Vegas this week, delivering a keynote address at the 2026 Global Gaming Expo. In a nod to his illustrious past, he reminisced about a memorable outdoor hockey game at Caesars Palace, which was disrupted by desert conditions and an unusual flurry of grasshoppers. The NHL’s all-time leading scorer, who retired in 1999, shared the stage amid a backdrop of sports integrity discussions, coinciding with an event where basketball legend Michael Jordan also made headlines at the SBC Summit Lisbon.
Jordan, a renowned gambler, candidly discussed his history with betting during a panel alongside Sportradar CEO Carsten Koerl and DraftKings CEO Jason Robins. Voted the Athlete of the 20th Century in 2000 by an ESPN panel, Jordan has admitted to wagering heavily on golf and casino games, although he has never been implicated in betting on his own team’s games.
The timing of these high-profile appearances is significant, coming as a legal trial involving two Cleveland Guardians pitchers is set to start next month. The case relates to allegations of pitch rigging, which could expand to include various NBA and college basketball figures. Notably, Chauncey Billups is facing charges in an illegal poker scheme, while other NBA players, including Terry Rozier and Malik Beasley, are dealing with allegations concerning prop manipulation. Recently, prosecutors announced that a co-defendant in Beasley’s case is preparing to plead guilty.
Back in the 1993 NBA Finals, Jordan averaged an impressive 41 points per game as he led the Chicago Bulls to victory, while Gretzky was similarly dazzling, recording 40 points during the postseason with the Los Angeles Kings. Both legends thrived in an era when sports betting was viewed with skepticism across the United States.
In a conversation with BetMGM’s CEO Adam Greenblatt, Gretzky chose to focus on the essence of sports and the motivation behind elite athletes rather than on gambling. He remarked, "The best athletes in the world, and I mean this in a nice way, are really selfish. To be the best, you have to be dedicated to practicing hard and getting into a routine."
Although Gretzky's wife and several players were linked to a betting operation alleged to be tied with the mob in 2006, he has always denied any personal involvement in those claims, known as "Operation Slapshot."
The Global Gaming Expo is taking place in a transformed Las Vegas, where just across Las Vegas Boulevard, construction continues on the Hard Rock’s iconic guitar-shaped hotel tower. At 660 feet and 42 stories tall, it is nearing completion and is set to become the centerpiece of Hard Rock Las Vegas. Following recent delays, projections indicate that the resort could open in the fourth quarter of next year. If this timeline holds, it is likely that the new resort will be fully operational after the next G2E event in October.
In the meantime, efforts by states and tribes to counteract prediction market operators were prominent at the expo, which featured flashy advertisements from tribal gaming entities, such as the Yaamava' Resort & Casino.
The Strip continues to evolve as significant corporate changes unfold. Barry Diller's People Inc holds a major stake in MGM, owning nearly 27% of the company with 66.8 million shares. After recently withdrawing an offer to acquire the remaining shares of MGM, which would have valued the company at approximately $18 billion, Diller's move has sparked talk of a potential counter-bid from MGM to acquire People. During his keynote address, MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle indicated that they aim to "unlock the value of a company" he sees as undervalued.
MGM has faced challenges recently, trading around $30 a share and sitting near multi-year lows, down about 12% this year. MGM's main rival, Caesars Entertainment, also experienced a downturn but recently benefited from a competitive acquisition offer that boosted its value considerably. A deal approved by Caesars shareholders last month still awaits FTC approval.
Elizabeth Smart, a prominent activist known for her resilience, also took to the G2E stage, receiving enthusiastic applause during her interview with Meghan Speranzo. Sharing insights from her experience of abduction and survival, Smart encouraged attendees to remain hopeful even during challenging times. Afterward, she participated in a book signing for her memoir, which drew a large crowd eager to share in her story.
