Joe Moallempour and Billy Brill Highlight Challenges and Opportunities for Casino Talent Buyers
BEVERLY HILLS, CA — April 18, 2025 – At the iconic Beverly Hilton during this week’s Pollstar Live! 2025 conference, DWP Talent Services (DWPTS) made a powerful impression during the highly anticipated panel, “Casino Entertainment: Transitioning to the Next Era.” with DWPTS’s Joe Moallempour and Billy Brill on stage, the conversation spotlighted both the evolution and future of casino entertainment — with candid insight, humor, and a firm grasp on the shifting expectations of both artists and properties alike.
The April 17 panel brought together a dynamic lineup of casino and agency professionals, offering key insights into the evolving role of casinos in the live entertainment industry. As detailed in the Pollstar recap by Ryan Borba, the discussion explored how casino venues are adapting to attract top talent and compete with traditional concert spaces.
Moderator and tribal casino entertainment mainstay Billy Brill of DWP Talent Services brought a dose of show-biz flair to the conversation, cracking jokes about rival venues and playfully teasing the “trust fund kids” in the crowd still recovering from their Coachella weekends.
The lively exchange underscored why DWP Talent Services continues to stand out as a leading talent buyer for casino entertainment across the U.S.
Joe Moallempour: Bridging Talent with Casino Venues
Joe Moallempour, Senior National Casino Talent Buyer for DWP Talent Services, brought more than 15 years of experience to the panel. Since the 2021 acquisition of Billy Alan Productions by Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP), Moallempour has been instrumental in growing DWPTS’s casino portfolio — working with top casino venues such as Thunder Valley, Agua Caliente, and beyond.
During the panel, Moallempour emphasized the challenges casino properties face when venue limitations — from rigging capacities to backstage logistics — prevent them from attracting larger touring acts. “The only limitation, like I said before, is when the facility can’t handle the tour — that’s when we’re losing the act,” he said. Moallempour pointed to successful upcoming shows with Incubus and Morrissey as examples of how casino venues, when equipped and professionally run, can host top-tier casino entertainment that rivals any major city.
Billy Brill: Old School Flair with a Vision for the Future
Adding levity and edge to the panel, DWPTS’s Billy Brill, a long-time force in tribal casino entertainment, offered up wit and wisdom in equal measure. Channeling his inner Rodney Dangerfield, Brill got laughs by asking, “Do casinos get any respect?” — a question that cuts to the heart of ongoing perceptions within the live music industry.
Brill’s commentary underlined the need for casino venues to raise their operational standards, respect artist needs, and position themselves as serious contenders in national touring circuits. His presence reminded the audience that entertainment is still, at its core, show business — and casino talent buyers must play the part.
Key Takeaways from the Panel Discussion:
- Casino venues are evolving rapidly, with tribal and commercial resorts investing in state-of-the-art theaters and amenities that rival traditional concert halls.
- Younger artists across genres — including country, EDM, rock, and metal — are increasingly open to performing at casinos, expanding the talent pool.
- Professionalism matters: As agent Dan Boyle of WME noted, casino venues that operate like legitimate, artist-first spaces will earn long-term respect and repeat business.
- Casino stakeholders must adapt to the unpredictability of talent needs, tour logistics, and genre crossover — flexibility is key to consistent programming.
DWP Talent Services: A Leader in Casino Talent Buying
With powerhouse personalities like Moallempour and Brill leading the charge, DWPTS continues to build on its reputation as the top casino talent buyer in the industry. From boutique tribal properties to destination resorts, DWPTS is redefining what casino entertainment looks like in 2025 and beyond.
As the casino entertainment industry transitions to its next era, DWP Talent Services is not just part of the conversation — they’re helping lead it.
