Identifying the ethical challenges encountered by Information Technology professionals working within the Nevada casino industry

A thematic analysis qualitative study was used to identify the unethical challenges encountered by Information Technology (IT) professionals working within the Nevada casino industry. Fourteen current and former IT leaders working or who worked in the Nevada casino industry were interviewed. Using thematic analysis, nine themes regarding ethical challenges and methods for preventing them emerged from the interviews. This study's findings indicated that IT professionals encounter ethical challenges due to their access to data and information, the purchasing aspect of the IT department, via non-gaming rules and regulations, and the expectations placed on IT from unethical end users and by executive management requests. Gaming rules and regulations do not affect IT professionals according to the participants. The research revealed that clear policies and procedures as well as training prevent unethical behavior. Simply providing these options may be an effective method of preventing unethical behavior according to the research. According to the participants, IT ethical challenges may be similar in other industries aside from the casino complimentary system and the existence of multiple industries within one building. The findings of the study suggest ethical challenges exist within Nevada's casino industry for IT professionals but they can be prevented. Casino and IT management can utilize the results of the research to adjust how they interact, lead, and utilize their technology professionals.