(Las Vegas, NV) —  Brick-and-mortar casinos are opening in more states around the country, including Ohio, Illinois and Maryland.

Massachusetts is developing a regulatory structure for gaming in the Bay State.

But during a state-of-the-industry speech Tuesday, American Gaming Association chief Frank Fahrenkopf Jr. is expected to focus on the popularity of online gambling abroad, while Congress and federal regulations prohibit Internet poker and other games in the U.S.

Fahrenkopf is appearing at the annual Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas.

He’ll talk about how technology is changing the relationship between casinos and customers, and how the commercial casino industry needs Congress to develop a clear framework for regulating Internet poker.

Otherwise, Fahrenkopf says states will adopt a patchwork of rules and regulations that’ll make oversight difficult and put customers at risk.