IAGA hosted successful 2011 conference

2011-10-20

Reading time 3:07 min

(US).- The International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) held its 2011 conference in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Sands Expo and Convention Center on September 30 through October 2. The conference was attended by more than 270 gaming industry regulators, executives, financial experts, attorneys and compliance officers from around the world.

An impressive list of gaming industry leaders spoke at the conference, highlighted by the weekend, featured luncheon speakers. On Saturday, former U.S. Senator Richard Bryan sat down to interview Las Vegas Sands President and COO, Michael Leven, on a number of topics of interest to the gaming industry, and on Sunday, U.S. Representative Joe Barton, a co-sponsor of federal on-line poker legislation, spoke to the assembly about the future of on-line gaming.

The conference convened on Friday, September 30, with two hours of “Gaming 101”, an introductory look at the legal, regulatory and financial aspects of gaming presented by former IAGA President Paul West of Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, Susan Hensel, Director of Licensing for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, and Scott Schweinfurth, Chief Financial Officer of WMS Industries.

On Saturday, October 1, a CEO roundtable moderated by Roger Gros of Global Gaming Business featured Shuffle Master CEO, Gavin Isaacs, Boyd Gaming Corporation President & CEO, Keith Smith, Global Leisure Partners CEO, Mark Harms and Cantor Gaming President & CEO, Lee Amaitis. The roundtable was followed by “Gaming Regulation for an Evolving Global Industry: Striking the Balance,” moderated by IGT Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, Robert Melendres and featuring Nevada Gaming Commission Chairman, Peter Bernhard, GLI, General Counsel & Director of Government Affairs, Kevin Mullally, MGM Resorts International Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, John McManus, bwin party digital entertainment plc General Counsel, Dr. Thomas Talos and Alderney Gambling Control Commission CEO, Andre Wilsenach. A panel of A-list industry financiers including Macquarie Capital Senior Managing Director, David Berman and chief financial officers Marc Falcone of Fertitta Entertainment, Dan D’Arrigo of MGM Resorts, Jonathan Halkyard of Caesars Entertainment, Carlos Ruisanchez of Pinnacle Entertainment and Tom Steinbauer of Ameristar Casinos, rounded out the morning sessions.

Breakout sessions were held in the afternoon. “Going Full Tilt? The Future for American and European Online Gaming” featured Harris Hagan Senior Partner, Julian Harris, Loyra Abogados y Assesores attorney Cristina Romero de Alba, Melchers attorney Joerg Hofmann and Kaempfer Crowell of Counsel, Dennis Neilander. Peter Cohen Director of Affairs, the Agenda Group moderated “Progressing Reform That Satisfies All” with Victorian Gambling Commission Director, Phillip Shelton; Louisiana Gaming Control Board Member, Trudy Smith and Isle of Capri Casinos VP of Compliance, Michael Fries. A look at tribal land acquisition issues was presented by Wells Fargo Bank Managing Director, Rochanne Hackett and included lawyers Joe Kanefield of Ballard Spahr, Jennifer Carleton of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and Jonathan Stein of Finestone & Richter.

On Sunday morning, Caesars Entertainment Vice President, Associate General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Michael Cohen moderated “Online Gaming: A Status Update” with panelists Squire Saunders Hammonds attorney Carl Rohsler, Nevada Gaming Control Board Member, AG Burnett, Agility Interactive Managing Director and Tote Tasmania CEO, Craig Coleman and Lewis & Roca Partner, Tony Cabot. Moderated by Gaming Laboratories International President, James Maida, current and former regulators Louisiana Department of Justice Deputy Director, Leonce Gautreaux, Lionel Sawyer & Collins of Counsel, Mark Clayton, Alderney Gambling Control Commission CEO, Andre Wilsenach, and Mississippi Gaming Commission Executive Director, Allen Godfrey, discussed “Policy Meets New Technology: What’s the Next Step?”

The final panel of the day entitled the “Evolution of a Gaming Advisor” was moderated by Greenberg Traurig Shareholder, Martha Sabol and featured Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz Managing Partner, Dan McDaniel, Gaming Partners International Vice President & General Counsel, Laura McAllister-Cox, Greenberg Traurig Co-Managing Shareholder, Michael Bonner, Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman, Mark Lipparelli and Capstone Advisory Group Executive Director, John Esposito.

“This was one of the most informative conferences our organization has ever hosted,” said IAGA President, Marc Rubinstein. “We are fortunate and grateful for the participation and attendance of so many important business leaders willing to share their experiences and insights on the many topics that are relevant not only to our members, but also to everyone involved in this vital and expanding industry.”

In addition to the days filled with stimulating panels and keynote luncheon speakers, IAGA hosted networking events each evening at three of Las Vegas leading night spots: Morel’s French Steakhouse & Bistro in the Palazzo, The Rhumbar at Mirage and poolside at the bustling Cosmopolitan Las Vegas.

IAGA will co-host six sessions at the ICE trade show in London this coming January and is tentatively scheduled to hold its 2012 conference in conjunction with the International Association of Gaming Regulators in Singapore, in late October.