Our Fun Walk/Runs and Happy Hours have brought together former and current US servicemen and servicewomen in Gaming AND those special people that actively support veterans in one way or another.

Event #1: IGA + Veterans in Gaming Happy Hour

Join us for our Happy Hour Networking Event — a chance to grab a drink, meet great people, and have conversations with other Veterans in our industry.

When: Monday, March 30, from 4-6pm PST

Location: Kansas City Barbeque - 600 West Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92101

RSVP: Sign up here (it’s free but please register!)

Sign Up for Happy Hour

Event #2: IGA + Veterans in Gaming Fun Walk/Run

2025 was our first IGA Fun Walk/Run event and we had amazing weather!

Come join us for the 2nd annual Fun Run/Walk this year!

When: Tuesday, March 31st, 7am PST

• Start Time: 7am

• Start Location: The Grand Stairway - 11 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

• Walk Turn Around(1 mile): Tuna Harbor Park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tv27cTWnwz2eXEmX8

• Run Turn Around(1.3 miles): Pier 22 at USS Midway https://maps.app.goo.gl/rprSs3AjaDyuEzJRA

• Finish: 30-45 mins The Grand Stairway

  Fun Run/Walk Sign up

Represent Veterans in Gaming with a Ribbon or Pin

Be sure to ask Kalani or I about getting one of the Ribbons and we will have Pins for the show as well!

How You Can Help Support Veterans in Gaming

1. Join the group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13097324/

2. If you’re a member or would like to support our mission, please connect with us at daniel@chalklinesports.com or kcreutzburg@kpmg.com

Our Fun Runs and Happy Hours have brought together former and current US servicemen and servicewomen in Gaming AND those special people that actively support veterans in one way or another.

Veterans in Gaming is a community built to connect veterans who have successfully transitioned into the gaming industry.

Our mission:

• Acknowledge and appreciate the service of our members.

• Foster strong camaraderie within the community.

• Create opportunities for others in this dynamic industry.

We actively support organizations like Operation Responsible Gambling, recognizing the higher risk of gambling addiction among our fellow sisters and brothers who are serving or have served.

Our goals are simple: to connect, support, and foster the professional development of veterans in gaming—and to have fun while doing it.

I challenge you to get involved.

Help a veteran secure their first role in the industry, offer personal and professional support, and join us at events that blend purpose with fun(or exercise).

The strong community of US veterans is fundamentally driven by service—service to one another.

Again, I extend my deepest gratitude to all Veterans for your past service, and for the service you will continue to provide in the years ahead.

How You Can Help Support Veterans in Gaming

1. Join the group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13097324/

2. If you’re a member or would like to support our mission, please connect with me at daniel@chalklinesports.com.

First, THANK YOU to all those that support Veterans in Gaming across the industry!

While we are just getting started with our awareness, connections and adding value to those in Veterans In Gaming, this past week at IGA was full of connections for Veterans.

Quick updates from an excellent Indian Gaming Tradeshow in San Diego.

ViG Fun Run on Tuesday Apr 1st

Great turn out for the 1st Fun Run at #IGA2025 and an excellent way to “get a sweat" and meet others who served or support those who served in our industry!

Thanks to Liberty Reyes for the LinkedIn post.

And Richard as well!

ViG Networking on Apr 2nd

We gathered together again for a drink on the show floor at the Digital Play Summit that was fully supported by the Tradeshow.

Thanks, Ed Gallo!

Keep your beads for the next one! 🙂

Veterans in Gaming Ribbons

Great to see so many supporters wearing their Veterans in Gaming Ribbons on their badges!

How You Can Help Support Veterans in Gaming

1. Join the group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13097324/

2. If you’re a member or would like to support our mission, please connect with me at daniel@chalklinesports.com.

3. Check in on our 2025 Events & Conferences Calendar: if we’re there, we’re going to connect Veterans. Ping me and we’ll connect.

Ideas / Food for Thought for ViG from IGA

• Frances Alvarez: what if we create a quiet area for Veterans at each trade show? Love this idea!

• Rick Armstrong: connecting Veterans every time we turned around.

• IGA: really leaned into Veterans in Gaming. Thank you!

Until the next one!

Dan

Just a quick reminder on our mission, vision and values:

Mission: To connect, support and foster the professional development of Veterans in the Gaming Industry and have fun while we do it.

Vision: Create THE connective tissue for Veterans in Gaming

Core Values: Candor with Kindness, Resourcefulness, Responsible Gaming, Member Growth

We’re kicking things off in 2025 with 5 events!

Events #1 & #2: IGA 2025 - April 1 & 2

Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention

March 31 - April 3, 2025 — San Diego, CA

#1: Our first event will be a Fun/Walk Run on Tuesday morning at 7am at IGA!

Our promise to you:

• We’ll start right on time, since we know people have full days

• We don’t move too fast, since there are no medals awarded after the run :)

• We’re going just over a mile as a group

When: Tuesday, April 2, 7am PDT

Where: In Front of the Convention Center Sign Google Maps

#2: Our second event: Happy Hour on the Tradeshow Floor at DigitalPlay Summit

Time: Wednesday, April 2 from 3pm to 5pm

Where: DigitalPlay Summit Area

Swing by the Chalkline Booth (Find us here at Booth #K2621) on Wednesday to pick up your Veterans in Gaming badge, and beverages are on us, starting at 3pm!

About the Event:

The Indian Gaming Association is excited to introduce the DigitalPlay Summit, featuring iGaming and sports betting exhibits and content sessions taking place on the show floor of the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention, April 2 - 3 at the San Diego Convention Center. Join us for this new event bringing together the sports betting and iGaming industry to shape the future of the North American online gambling market. Learn more here.

Event #3: SBC Summit Americas - May 12, 2025

SBC Summit Americas

May 13 - 15, 2025 — Fort Lauderdale, FL

When & Where: Details TBD!

Event #4: Casino Marketing Tech Happy Hour - July 29, 2025

Casino Marketing & Tech Conference

July 29 - 30 — Temecula, CA

When & Where: Details TBD!

Events #5 & #6: G2E Fun Run & Happy Hour

Huge event for our industry and a great way to wrap up the conference season.

#5: 5th Annual G2E 2025 Fun Run for Responsible Gaming

For every person that registers here, we donate $20.25 to Operation Responsible Gaming.

Some quick housekeeping items:

🏃 It's more of a leisurely trot than a "run."

🙋 It's for a great cause.

🚀 It's the single best way to kick off G2E with a bang!

💯 100+ runners/walkers over 4 years can vouch for that

📅 When: Monday, October 6 at 7am PT
📍 Where: Rat Pack Memorial Plaque in front of the Venetian

Please complete this simple entry form and we'll keep you posted.

Register for the Fun Run

#6: 4th Annual Chalkline G2E Happy Hour at Gilley’s

This event is held in conjunction between Chalkline, Veterans in Gaming and a few close partners.

📅 When: Monday, October 6 at 4pm PT
📍 Where: Gilley’s Saloon & BBQ

🎟️ RSVP details to follow

Have any questions?

Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn.

Look forward to seeing you this year!

“We need to learn to set our course by the stars, not by the lights of every passing ship.”
– Omar Bradley

We’re getting traction in 2025, so to begin the year right, we’ll start with this.

Mission, vision and values

Mission:

To connect, support and foster the professional development of Veterans in the Gaming Industry and have fun while we do it.

Vision:

Create THE connective tissue for Veterans in Gaming.

Core Values:

• Candor with Kindness

• Resourcefulness

• Responsible Gaming

• Member Growth

Veterans in Gaming Plans for 2025

Every journey starts with a single step.

Our steps this year will include:

• Officially incorporating as a non-profit

• One in-person event per quarter at industry conferences

• Building a long-term plan for sustainability

3 Simple Ways to Get Involved

1. Join our LinkedIn community.

2. Subscribe to this Substack.

3. Reach out to veterans in the industry and let them know we’re getting started.

Look for additional posts and updates each month as we get going.