Kasra Ghaharian

Director of Research, International Gaming Institute
Expertise: AI use and ethics in the gaming industry, Data science and gambling, Casino payments modernization, Responsible gambling, Consumer protection

Biography

Kasra Ghaharian is the director of research for 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ's International Gaming Institute. He is a global gaming expert who specializes in online settings and AI applications, machine learning, consumer protection, and payments modernization.

Ghaharian brings several years of industry experience in digital analytics, strategic marketing, e-commerce analysis and product management, enterprise strategy, and sales at several of the world's largest casino-hotel companies to the position. 

His scholarly works have examined ways to improve industry tech and user experience. While pursuing his Ph.D., Ghaharian explored the implications of digital payments for the gambling industry and applied machine learning to payment transaction data to uncover behavioral patterns and potential markers of problem gambling. His master's thesis was a first-of-its-kind study to apply mathematical methods to the age-old task of optimizing the casino floor. His current research projects include using consumer bank transaction data to support gambling harm prevention and investigating the efficacy of AI chatbots to educate consumers about responsible gambling. 

Ghaharian has been called upon by media outlets including BBC, Sports Handle, and Inside Asian Gaming to offer industry insights.

Education

  • Ph.D., Hospitality Administration/Management, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ
  • MS., Hotel and Gaming, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ
  • M.S., Sport and Exercise Nutrition, Middlesex University
  • B.S., Hotel and Gaming, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ
  • B.S., Business, University of Surrey

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Kasra Ghaharian In The News

Gambling Insider
BetBlocker has announced a donation to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ) to support research into gambling blocking software, marking its first academic collaboration in the US. The funding will contribute to a study led by the International Gaming Institute (IGI), focused on understanding how blocking software is used and its role in gambling harm prevention.
CDC Gaming
BetBlocker on Monday announced a donation to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in support of the university’s International Gaming Institute’s research program. The contribution will help advance academic research on gambling blocking software and its users.
Las Vegas Review Journal
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ is studying sports gambling responsibility with its 2025 ESPN Research Fellowship. The university’s International Gaming Institute is issuing a request for proposals to award up to four six-month, non-resident fellowships of $5,000 each to support research initiatives that advance theoretical and practical understanding of responsible gambling practices in sports media.
CDC Gaming
Las Vegas-based experts have outlined the emerging topics on responsible gaming in 2025, including the changing terminology around the subject and what the industry should be doing instead.

Articles Featuring Kasra Ghaharian

unlv pumpkins
Campus News | November 4, 2024

A monthly roundup of the top news stories at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, featuring the presidential election, gaming partnerships, and much more.