A Message From the President

The cover of this 2008 Spring Edition of Casino Lawyer features the IMGL Gaming Executives of the Year 2008, Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr. and Ernest L. Stevens Jr.

Frank Fahrenkopf is the longstanding, dynamic president of the American Gaming Association. Ernie Stevens is the chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association. (See our cover story, written by Sharon Harris, for highlights of their highly successful careers.) Frank and Ernie have both represented the gaming industry with great integrity and dedication during its rapid expansion throughout the country. They are highly effective and internationally respected voices for their respective organizations, and they both played critical roles in the development of the gaming industry ­ an industry that employs hundreds of thousands of persons and is the economic lifeblood of many communities and states. They have both also protected the gaming industry from those who have repeatedly tried to restrict and destroy it. Through their efforts, the gaming industry has thrived and expanded at a rate that never would have been dreamed of 20 years ago. As such, they are indeed the Gaming Executives of the Year.

Napa Valley IMGL Conference

The IMGL 2008 Spring Conference is being held at the Villagio Inn & Spa in Napa Valley, Calif. Kudos to IMGL member John Maloneys parents, Jack and Marilyn Maloney, for their vigorous efforts in locating the perfect hotel and wine emporium for the conference. One word describes the Villagio: Fabulous! Located in the middle of Yountville, the Villagio is central to some of the finest restaurants and wineries in the country. The rooms are superb, quiet and extremely comfortable. The meeting facility is perfect for an IMGL conference. The Villagio is, without question, the best facility that the IMGL has selected for a conference.

Jack and Marilyn also recommended the Markham Vineyards for our Thursday night reception and dinner. Transportation will be provided for the 15-minute drive through the center of beautiful Napa Valley to the Markham Vineyards facility. Upon arrival, conference participants and their significant others will enjoy a reception and then an excellent meal in beautiful surroundings with Markham Vineyards wines flowing freely under our no-limit contract. Special thanks to Markham Vineyards Event Manager Vickie Andreassi, who worked closely with John Maloney and Melissa Lurie to develop an excellent setting for an evening of friendship and storytelling.

The Spring Conference committee (John Maloney, Harlan Goodson and Jerry Levine) has planned the best conference program to-date. The full program for the conference is on the IMGL website. A highlight of the Spring Conference is recognition of our IMGL Gaming Executives of the Year 2008. The 2008 IMGL Spring Conference presents an excellent opportunity for gaming professionals to connect, learn, congratulate the Gaming Executives of the Year 2008, and socialize in beautiful surroundings. So register and bring your significant other!

IMGL at ICE

IMGL members had a strong presence at the International Casino Expo (ICE) in London in January. ICE is the largest casino services and equipment manufacturing tradeshow in Europe. Thanks to the splendid efforts of IMGL Vice President Tony Coles and his partner and fellow IMGL member Nick Nocton, the IMGL hosted a highly successful reception in downtown London at La Galleria in Pall Mall after the conclusion of the first day of the event. It was the perfect location for the 85-plus IMGL members and their guests who attended the reception. The wine was excellent, the servers friendly and efficient, and an excellent time was had by all, including your president. Based upon the clear success of the reception, I have authorized Tony Coles to book the reception at the same location for the 2009 ICE show.

IMGL Fall Conference

As most of you know, with great reluctance last year we cancelled the 2007 Fall Conference in South Africa. When we first scheduled the conference, it was anticipated that thenpending major new gaming legislation would have just been adopted, which would have made the conference timely and a must-attend venue. Unfortunately, the legislation was delayed and, in fact, still has not been enacted. With this development, and notwithstanding the extensive efforts of our South African General Members, Wayne Lurie and Garron Whitesman, the requisite financial support and projected attendance was not approaching the level that justified proceeding forward. Consequently, the conference was postponed with the hope that this year the stars would be better aligned for a successful conference. After a meeting that Tony Coles and I had with Wayne Lurie in London during the ICE conference and subsequent discussions amongst the IMGL officers, it has been decided that 2008 is not the year to hold a conference in South Africa. The IMGL officers are now turning their attention to holding the 2008 Fall Conference in Berlin.

Publications Update

IMGL Educator Member Bill Thompson is working diligently on editing the second release for the IMGL’s International Casino Law and Regulation loose-leaf service. If you have not ordered your set of this state-of-the-law publication, you should do so now.

Work on the website introduction of the Thomas Cooley Law School 50 state gaming law project continues to move forward. The research and writing has been completed. Converting the data to the website has been a time-consuming task, but it is gradually coming to fruition. In the meantime, a directed study project will again be established at the Thomas Cooley Law School for the 2008 fall term to update the research already performed. This will be an ongoing project supported by our friends at the Thomas Cooley Law School.

North American Gaming Regulators Association

With special kudos to past president Michael Lipton, the IMGL has been able to establish an excellent working relationship with the North American Gaming Regulators Association (NAGRA). NAGRA is comprised of federal, state, local, tribal and provincial government agencies charged with the responsibility of regulating legalized gaming. NAGRA President Dominic "Don" Dutton, who is a member of the New Mexico Gaming Control Board, is a regulator member of the IMGL. Don was the featured luncheon speaker at the American Bar Association’s annual Gaming Law Minefield conference in Las Vegas earlier this month, where he referenced the IMGL in glowing terms. The IMGL is providing a gaming law track of speakers for the NAGRA annual conference in New Orleans, June 10–13. IMGL members are encouraged to attend the conference. It will be a great way to connect with gaming regulators throughout North America. You can register for the conference at NAGRA’s website, www.nagra.org.

Call for Articles

A few IMGL members have been prolific in their preparation of timely, thoughtful, in-depth articles on a variety of gaming subjects. Our contacts in the gaming publication industry are extensive and, most importantly, worldwide. I encourage every IMGL member to take the time to write on topical gaming issues, either with a magazine-style article or a scholarly treatise designed for a law review publication. Contact our Publication Committee Chair Tony Cabot and let him know what you want to do and when you can do it. If you write it, we will get it published!

Membership Expansion

2008 is a pivotal growth year for the IMGL. Membership continues to grow in all categories. The vast majority of member dues goes into educational services that benefit the IMGL members and the gaming community in general. As we grow, we expand our member services. Growth equals expanded activities and expanded opportunities for all IMGL members. I encourage each and every IMGL member to reach out to the cream of the crop in your respective spheres and encourage the best in the business to apply for IMGL membership.

Member Services

The officers of the IMGL want your suggestions regarding expanded member services. We are constantly striving to make the IMGL an excellent resource that is highly relevant and useful to your gaming interests. If you have an idea or a suggestion, send it to me and it will be carefully and thoroughly discussed and considered by your IMGL officers and committees. None of us have all the great ideas. There is strength in numbers and strength in diversity – your IMGL officers want to maximize these strengths through open communication and transparency. Write, call, send a BlackBerry message day or night – we want to hear from you. You are the heart and soul of this great organization.

Robert W. Stocker II
Dickinson Wright PLLC
rstocker@dickinsonwright.com