International Masters of Gaming Law

Addisons Commercial Lawyers recently published their December newsletter "Gambling Law and Regulations: Recent developments in Australian gambling law". To read the complete document, click here.

The Iowa Legislature recently tasked the state's Racing & Gaming Commission to prepare a report on the possible regulation of intrastate internet poker. Interested members can view the report at www.iowa.gov/irgc/.

April, 2011

IMGL Members Named in Chambers Global 2011

For twenty years, Chambers has published the leading directories of   the legal profession. Their reputation is based on the independence   and objectivity of their research. They have 100 full-time   researchers who interview thousands of lawyers and their clients around the world. This intensive, continuous research identifies the   world's leading lawyers and law firms   those which perform best according to the criteria most valued by clients. No lawyer can buy   their way into our rankings. As a result, their directories -   published annually - are known to be the most accurate and the most   reliable. Many IMGL members have been honored with inclusion in the   2010 edition. Listed alphabetically by jurisdiction, they are:

United States: Anthony Cabot, Nicholas Casiella, Kelly Duncan, Robert
Faiss, John Maloney, Heidi Staudenmaier, Robert Stocker II
Europe: Santiago Asensi Gisbert, Tony Coles, Olga Finkel, Justin
Franssen, John Hagan, Wulf Hamback, Julian Harris, Henrik Norsk
Hoffmann, Jorg Hofmann, Joe Kelly, Quirino Mancini, Nicholas Nocton,
Hilary Stewart-Jones, Thibault Verbiest, Peter Wilson, Philippe
Vlaemmink
Asia Pacific: Jamie Nettleton
Canada: Morden Lazarus, Michael Lipton
Israel: Meir Linzen, Gil White, Dotan Baruch
South Africa: Wayne Lurie, Garron Whitesman
Latin America: Carlos Alberto Fonseca Sarmiento

Click here to read more about all of those honored.

November 2, 2010

Best Lawyers Names Five Snell & Wilmer Attorneys as "Lawyer of the Year"

Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. is pleased to announce that five of its attorneys—John Bouma, Brian Cunningham, Warren Platt, Jody Pokorski and Heidi McNeil Staudenmaier—have been named as "Lawyer of the Year" for 2011 by Best Lawyers. Only one lawyer within each specialty in each community is honored as "Lawyer of the Year."

Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, designates "Lawyers of the Year" in high-profile legal specialties across large legal communities. Only one lawyer within each specialty in each community is honored as "Lawyer of the Year." Best Lawyers compiles its lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. The current, 17th edition of The Best Lawyers in America (2011) is based on more than 3.1 million detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers. The lawyers being honored as "Lawyers of the Year" have received particularly high rating in the surveys by earning a high level of respect among their peers for their abilities, professionalism and integrity.

Snell & Wilmer chairman John Bouma has been named as the "Phoenix Best Lawyers Banking Lawyer of the Year" for 2011. His practice is concentrated in complex commercial litigation, including antitrust, commercial and business torts, financial institutions, professional malpractice defense and alternative dispute resolution.

Partner Brian Cunningham has been named as the "Salt Lake City Best Lawyers Banking Lawyer of the Year" for 2011. His practice is concentrated in banking and commercial finance representing financial institutions and other parties in loan transactions, loan syndications and participations, Uniform Commercial Code matters, factoring, trade finance and letters of credit, loan portfolio transactions, business and loan workouts and restructurings, liquidations and foreclosures, and banking regulation and governance.

Partner Warren Platt has been named as the "Phoenix Best Lawyers Product Liability Litigation Lawyer of the Year" for 2011. His practice is concentrated in civil litigation matters with principal emphasis on defense of major product liability suits for national and international manufacturers, complex commercial litigation, and defense of accounting malpractice litigation for national and regional public accounting firms.

Partner Jody Pokorski has been named as the "Phoenix Best Lawyers Real Estate Lawyer of the Year" for 2011. She practices primarily in the area of real estate transactions, finance and regulatory matters, including work relating to commercial purchase and sale transactions, real estate financing, master planned communities, subdivision matters, and leasing.

Partner Heidi McNeil Staudenmaier has been named as the "Phoenix Best Lawyers Gaming Lawyer of the Year" for 2011. She is nationally recognized in the areas of Federal Indian Law, Gaming Law and Business Litigation.

About Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. Founded in 1938, Snell & Wilmer is a full-service business law firm with more than 400 attorneys

practicing in nine locations throughout the western United States and in Mexico, including Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Los Angeles and Orange County, California; Denver, Colorado; Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Los Cabos, Mexico. The firm represents clients ranging from large, publicly traded corporations to small businesses, individuals and entrepreneurs. For more information, visit www.swlaw.com.

September, 2010

Bible and Mousel Join Lewis and Roca

Lewis and Roca is pleased to announce that Paul A. Bible and David L. Mousel, formerly of Bible Mousel PC, have joined the firm’s Reno office.

Bible Mousel specialized in gaming law, the purchase and sale of gaming properties and gaming regulatory matters. Both attorneys bring a vast knowledge of gaming law to Lewis and Roca’s already deep gaming practice.

Anthony Cabot, leader of the gaming practice group for Lewis and Roca, believes the addition will further strengthen the firm’s customer service capabilities. "Both Paul Bible and Dave Mousel have stellar reputations as gaming law practitioners, which not only compliments, but enhances our existing gaming practice expertise and demonstrates the continuing commitment to our clients. I am extremely pleased and honored that they have joined our team."

Bible advises clients on all aspects of gaming law. He conducts due diligence investigations for business entities which are considering entering the American gaming market and advises borrowers and lenders with respect to Nevada's anti-deficiency statutes. Bible is also a former Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission. "We look forward to working with Lewis and Roca to enhance the breadth of knowledge and experience provided to our combined group of local, national and international clientele," stated Paul Bible.

Mousel‘s practice focuses primarily on the purchase and sale of gaming businesses licensed in Nevada, the institutional financing of those acquisitions, the licensing of entities seeking to engage in gaming in the state of Nevada and administrative matters before the State Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission. Mousel is also licensed in California and has provided representation in Indian gaming related matters there as well.

Lewis and Roca's gaming practice group is a national practice that supports casino operators, suppliers, state and local governments, communities, businesses, non-profit organizations, tribal governments and others in addressing casino gaming law including Native American and riverboat casinos, racinos, interactive and mobile gaming, poker, and interstate horse racing.

ABOUT LEWIS AND ROCA LLP
Lewis and Roca has been one of the Southwest’s leading law firms for over 50 years. With offices in Reno, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, Albuquerque, and Silicon Valley, the firm’s practice includes numerous industry and legal practice areas including business transactions and litigation. For additional information, please visit www.LRLaw.com.

June, 2010

This month's issue of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiner’s monthly Fraud magazine includes an article featuring a case worked on many years ago by IMGL member Craig L. Greene. The article, entitled "Preventing Kickback Schemes" can be read in its entirety at:
http://www.fraud-magazine.com/article.aspx?id=4294967730.

March 4, 2010

Gaming Regulation Experts Present Three-Part Webinar Series on Anti-Money Laundering, Customer Privacy and Terrorism Regulations

EAST LANSING, Mich.—Regulators are increasingly turning a watchful eye on non-bank financial institutions such as casinos when it comes to compliance with anti-money laundering, customer privacy, and economic and trade sanction regulations. Even those casinos with solid gaming compliance programs intact need to comprehensively address these topics.

Regulatory Management Counselors, P.C., Resort Advantage, and Convey Compliance Systems, Inc., present a free three-part Webinar series to discuss key compliance issues for 2010 surrounding the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), and the Red Flag Rules provided for in the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA)

The three-part Webinar series will cover the following topics:

Part one: "BSA, OFAC, and FACTA—They’re Not Mutually Exclusive, and Your Compliance Plan Shouldn’t Be Either." Regulatory and gaming experts from Regulatory Management Counselors, P.C. will present an overview of BSA, OFAC and the Red Flag Rules provided for in FACTA.
Part two: "Compliance FAQs: What Others in the Gaming Industry Are Asking." Experts will respond to questions submitted by attendees of part one of the series.
Part three: "You Think Your Casino is Compliant – Will an IRS Auditor Agree?" An audit expert will discuss how to develop and implement an effective anti-money laundering program and how to prepare for an audit.

"A comprehensive approach to these critical issues is needed to assure compliance," said attorney David Waddell, President of Regulatory Management Counselors, P.C. "Our goal with this seminar series is to provide casino operators with the knowledge needed to verify that their existing procedures meet all the technical requirements."

For more information or to register, call 800.317.5475 or visit Resort-advantage.com.

February 22, 2010

Chambers Global Guide names IMGL Members Notable Practitioners for 2010

USA

The global recession clearly impacted negatively upon the US gaming market, but commentators remain positive about the future. Online work, in particular, has been holding up well. Inevitably, Nevada continues to be the key location for gaming law in the States, while Louisiana also remains important. California and Atlantic City are other important bases.

Nevada, Arizona & California

Las Vegas-based Anthony Cabot of Lewis and Roca LLP is widely seen as the pre-eminent mind in the field and is described as "the godfather of the industry." He is particularly expert in online gaming. Robert Faiss also acts in Nevada, chairing the gaming and regulatory law department at Lionel Sawyer & Collins. John Maloney is the founder of The Law Offices of John K Maloney, a specialist gaming firm with offices in both Nevada and California. Maloney acts out of the Sacramento office, and sources speak of his "noteworthy dedication to the field of gaming." Heidi Staudenmaier of Snell & Wilmer LLP acts in Phoenix, and is a noted expert on Native American legal issues and the way in which they interact with gaming affairs.

Elsewhere in the USA

Nicholas Casiello is based in Atlantic City with Fox Rothschild LLP. "He has excellent judgement and knows the gaming regulations across the States, with great instincts on the key issues," sources report. Also at Fox Rothschild, the "well-balanced and articulate" Marie Jones typically represents casino licensees and gaming vendors before various regulatory agencies. Robert Stocker of Dickinson Wright PLLC is based in Lansing, Michigan. He is praised for his deep knowledge of gaming regulatory issues, including those relating to casinos, as well as transactions and insolvencies involving gaming companies. New Orleans-based Kelly Duncan of Jones Walker Waechter Poitevent Carrère & Denègre, LLP is both a maritime and a gaming attorney. Duncan represents a mixture of casino companies, manufacturers, suppliers and financial institutions on gaming matters, and is said to have "a top-notch brain for the law."

All of the following ranked UK lawyers are based in London.

Tony Coles of Jeffrey Green Russell is an "important practitioner" who is praised for his advice to online gaming entities as well as their bricks and mortar equivalents. His colleague Nicholas Nocton advises a mixture of domestic and international casino operators, betting exchanges and other suppliers to the industry, including banking and financial services companies. John Hagan of Harris Hagan is an expert on online gaming and advises businesses around the world on Internet gambling.

Europe

Wulf Hambach is the founder of boutique gaming firm Hambach & Hambach in Munich. He advises German and international clients on the more sophisticated online gaming issues in Germany. Sources say he is "absolutely brilliant, and is doing impressive work in Germany fighting in favour of the industry. Santiago Asensi Gisbert of Asensi Abogados in Palma de Mallorca is "one of the best in Spain, if not the best. He knows how gaming firms work from the inside." Quirino Mancini of Sinisi Ceschini Mancini & Partners in Rome is "the best in Italy by a long way." He advises both domestic and international clients on both online and traditional gaming issues. Thibault Verbiest of Ulys divides his time between Brussels and Paris. He is praised for his knowledge of and involvement with the liberalisation process and the ratification of recent French legislation. Jörg Hofmann of Melchers Schubert Stocker Sturies is based in Heidleberg, and praised for his adept handling of bricks and mortar gaming issues across Germany. Henrik Norsk Hoffmann of Lett Law Firm in Kolding is a leading lawyer in Denmark with particular expertise in litigation. Philippe Vlaemminck is the managing partner of Vlaemminck & Partners in Brussels. He acts on lottery issues and is an expert in EU competition law and other regulatory matters. Justin Franssen of Van Mens & Wisselink is praised for fighting state monopolies in the Netherlands.

Asia-Pacific

Jamie Nettleton of Addisons in Sydney is an influential name in the Australian market and regularly assists gambling companies with their business strategies, including for international projects. Antonio Ramirez of Ramirez Law Firm is based in Macau and is an expert on the local gaming issues of the region. He is well equipped to advise gaming entities wishing to enter the Macau market.

Israel

Meir Linzen is a senior tax partner at Herzog Fox & Neeman firm. Sources say he is "a very influential figure in the industry and always knows what he's talking about."

Latin America

Latin America remains somewhat of an emerging market regarding gaming law, but Peruvian attorney Carlos Alberto Fonseca Sarmiento of Gaming Law S.A.C. in Lima is one lawyer to watch in the field. He comes recommended for almost any gaming issue relating to South America.

South Africa

Wayne Lurie of Lurie Inc has an especially notable reputation in the South African gaming market. He is based in Johannesburg. Garron Whitesman of Whitesmans Attorneys in Cape Town is South Africa's other key name in gaming law.

Canada

Morden Lazarus of Lazarus Charbonneau in Montréal is an extremely well-known name in the Canadian gaming market. He advises both online and conventional gaming companies. Michael Lipton of Dickinson Wright PLLC in Toronto has an extensive practice before gaming regulatory authorities throughout Canada. He advises a variety of gaming businesses, including betting exchanges.

September 1, 2009

Meet the advocates: They're the best, and they're organized. That's the title of an article appearing in the April 2009 issue of International Gaming & Wagering Business. The article showcases IMGL and some of the association's members and the leading firms they belong to including A&L Goodbody, Addisons Commercial Lawyers, Catania Gaming Associates, Dickinson Wright, Jones Walker, Lazcano Såmano, Lewis and Roca, Lionel Sawyer & Collins, John K. Maloney, and Judith A. Shapiro. Click here for a PDF version of the entire article.

IMGL News

June 6, 2011

International Masters of Gaming Law honors Domenic Mezzatta for Lifetime of Contributions to the Gaming Industry

The International Masters of Gaming Law recently honored gaming industry professional Domenic Mezzatta with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented at a May 3 reception at the 2011 Southern Game Summit in Biloxi, Mississippi. Mezzatta passed away in 2010, leaving behind a legacy of four decades of contributions to the gaming industry —with 33 years in an upper management capacity. The award was accepted by Mezzata’s wife of 39 years, Barbara.

Mezzetta began his gaming career as a bartender at Harvey’s Hotel Casino Tahoe in 1971 and worked his way up to the director of hotel and a position on the executive board in 1977. In 1982, he was promoted to general manager. This led the way to the position of general manager at both Cactus Pete’s and Horseshoe in Jackpot, Nevada. In 1986, he became the Assistant General Manager of the Stardust in Las Vegas, overseeing the construction of the fabulous 32-story hotel tower. In 1992, he relocated to Mississippi to build the Hollywood Casino Tunica from the ground up and successfully opened the $135M showplace in August of 1994. In 1998 Domenic moved to Fitzgerald’s Casino in the role of vice president and general manager, where he remained until 2004 when he decided to pursue another career as a consultant in the gaming industry. In 2005, Domenic was approached to put his long-time industry experience to oversee the building and opening of the new Harlow’s Casino Resort in Greenville, MS. The resort opened in November of 2007 with Mezzetta at the helm as Chief Operating Officer and General Manager.

Domenic also served on the newly founded Tunica Tourism Commission and was an avid supporter of the Tunica Convention and Business Bureau. He is considered the driving force behind Mississippi legislature passed in 1997 to create a start-up tourism and convention organization in the Mississippi Delta. In May of 2002, Domenic received the honor of being the first inductee into the Tunica Tourism Hall of Fame. As a concerned citizen and resident of Tunica County, Domenic played an important role in community public relations and was often called upon by the local governing authorities for advice or opinion on major decisions not only affecting the gaming industry and tourism, but also decisions that affect the quality of life for residents.

June 6, 2011

Tim Cope and Britt Singletary Receive Top Honors at International Masters of Gaming Law Conference

The International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL) recently honored two gaming industry professionals during the IMGL Spring Conference in Napa Valley, California. Tim Cope was presented with the 2011 Gaming Executive of the Year Award, an honor voted on by IMGL membership. Britt Singletary received the 2011 President’s Award —selected by IMGL President Anthony Coles for outstanding service to the association.The awards were presented during a luncheon at the Meritage Resort Spa on May 23.

Tim Cope has served as President of Lakes Entertainment, Inc. since May 2003, during which time the company has successfully developed, opened and managed the Four Winds Casino and the Red Hawk Casino. He has been with Lakes Entertainment, Inc. since 1998, serving in various roles including Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Director, Secretary, and Executive Vice President. Prior to 1998, he held the positions of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Director of Grand Casinos, Inc., the company he joined in 1993. While at Grand Casinos, he was involved with the development, financing, and management of eight different casino resorts. Cope has over 25 years of broad-based gaming resort experience with companies that include Bally’s Entertainment and the MGM Grand. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the state of Nevada, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Nevada, Reno. He also holds certificates in computer programming and industrial engineering. Cope has served as both Treasurer and Chairman of the Board of Bally’s Employeees Federal Credit Union, and as President and Director of the Better Business Bureau of Northern Nevada. Throughout his career, he has worked with many service, church and nonprofit organizations.

Britt R. Singletary is a 1974 graduate of University of Mississippi School of Law. He served as a law clerk for the Mississippi Supreme Court and the United States District Court. Britt was counsel for the United States Senate Judiciary Committee prior to being appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for eight years. Since leaving the bench in 1991, he has been continually engaged in premises liability, construction and commercial defense litigation. In addition to being an active gaming attorney representing Konami Gaming, Inc., Cadillac Jack, Inc., GameLogic Inc., Hard Rock Hotel & Casino-Biloxi, Electroncek and Shuffle Master, Inc., he conducts approximately four to six mediations/arbitrations per month. He is a partner in Singletary & Thrash-Biloxi, PLLC in Biloxi, Mississippi and a Charter Member of International Masters of Gaming Law.

February 2011

Article in Corporate INTL

December 2009

IMGL Discussion Group on LinkedIn - With over 300 participants and several lively discussions, this discussion group has become a major place on the social networks to discuss gaming law issues, view the news related to gaming law and regulation, and learn of new jobs in the legal industry. Members are free to post news articles, start discussions and provide links to cases, government documents, presentations and other documents.

It is free to join LinkedIn and to become a participant in the International Masters of Gaming Law Current Issues Discussion Group. Simply sign up at linkedin.com. After that, do a group search for "International Masters of Gaming Law Current Issues Discussion Group" and request to join.

November 2009

Click here for photos from the the G2E conference and IMGL reception, including photos of Randall Sayre accepting his Regulator of the Year award.

October 9, 2009

IMGL Honored in the Best Lawyers in American 2010 - The Best Lawyers in America, one of the preeminent legal referral guides in the U.S., selected 42 of International Masters of Gaming Law attorneys for inclusion in its 2010 listings. Over 70% of IMGL general members, who are eligible, have been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers for 2010. Since its inception in 1983, The Best Lawyers in America has become widely regarded as one of the definitive guides to legal excellence in the United States. Because Best Lawyers is based on a rigorous peer-review survey of thousands of top attorneys throughout the country, and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Please join me in congratulation the following IMGL members: Cory Aronovitz, Phillip M. Becker, Leonard A. Blackwell II, Charles Blau, Anthony N. Cabot, Nicholas Casiello, Jr., Frank Catania, James B. Deutsch, Robert A. Dill, J. Kelly Duncan, Peter H. Ellsworth, Robert D. Faiss, Michael A. Ficaro, Tom Foley, Scott Freeny, Gabriel Galanda, Harlan W. Goodson, Jess Green, Marie J. Jones, Joseph M. Kelly, Jerome L. Levine, Michael Lipton, John K. Maloney, Lorraine May, D. Michael McBride III, Sean McGuinness, Frank Miller, Kevin C. Quigley, Dan R. Reaser, Joel M. Rose, Daniel Schiffman, Stephen D. Schrier, Britt Singletary, Heidi McNeil Staudenmaier, Robert W. Stocker II, Robert D. Tobin, David Waddell, Kevin J. Weber, Ellen Whittemore, Dennis J. Whittlesey, Michael E. Zatezalo, and Jane G. Zerbi. For more information about International Masters of Gaming Law members, visit our website at www.gaminglawmasters.com/jurisdictions.

September 2009

Podcasts for IMGL Members: IMGL is pleased to announce that Peter Mead, the publisher of Casino Enterprise Management magazine (which publishes the IMGL Casino Lawyer magazine) has presented the International Masters of Gaming Law with a tremendous new opportunity - podcast interviews on current, topical, state of the law gaming issues. A "podcast" is a 10-15 minute voice interview performed by the Casino Enterprise Management staff which, after appropriate editing, is placed on the Casino Enterprise Management web site under an IMGL heading. If you go to the Casino Enterprise Management web site (casinoenterprisemanagement.com) you will find several podcasts performed by Union Gaming Group half way down on the left column of the first page of the web site. The podcast includes a brief write-up and a picture of the person interviewed. Interview topics will be worked out in advance with each interviewee, including the interview questions. Current plans call for one podcast interview per week assuming existence of relevant current topic and volunteer for the interview. IMGL members interested in taking advantage of this opportunity should send me an email message to that effect. I will then pass your name and contact information on to Peter Mead and his staff for setting up interview, date coordination etc. This podcast program is set to commence immediately. The first couple of podcasts are currently in the works and will be on the website before the IMGL Amsterdam conference. I encourage all IMGL members to consider participation in this podcast program opportunity. If you have any questions regarding the concept, please contact either IMGL president, Bob Stocker at rstocker@dickinsonwright.com or Peter Mead at peter@casinoenterprisemanagement.com.

July 2009

IMGL Election of Officers: The IMGL is pleased to announce the election of the following officers during the recent IMGL Business meeting of its members in Amsterdam on September 23 in conjunction with the IMGL Autumn Conference. The officers will serve in these positions for the calendar year of 2010. As is customary, the geographic location of the IMGL President alternates between North America and outside North America. Please access their member profiles to learn more about them.

President -
Anthony R. Coles, Partner, Jeffrey Green Russell in the United Kingdom

Vice President –
J. Kelly Duncan, Partner, Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre, LLP in Louisiana

Secretary –
Joerg Hofmann, Partner, Melchers in Germany

Treasurer –
Michael E. Zatezlo, Managing Partner, Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter Co., L.P.A. in Ohio

Vice President Affiliate Members –
Douglas L. Florence, Sr., Director, Gaming Sector, Nice Systems, Inc. in Nevada

Vice President Educators –
I. Nelson Rose, Professor of Law, Whittier Law School in California

Immediate Past President –
Robert W. Stocker II, Member, Dickinson Wright PLLC, Michigan

President's Message

January 2012

IMGL Begins Its Eleventh Year

For the members of the International Masters of Gaming Law, the New Year has arrived with a bang. In December, it was announced that the United States Justice Department has reversed its longstanding position that the Wire Act prohibits all forms of on-line gaming. This month, we will join our colleagues from the International Association of Gaming Advisors for the first time in co-sponsoring an education conference during ICE in London (as discussed more fully below).

As I follow a very distinguished list of prominent gaming attorneys as President of IMGL, I am excited to be so actively involved in our truly international organization that today is unequivocally viewed as the leading gaming law educational organization in the world. As our first non-North American President, my predecessor, Tony Coles, has been on the forefront of ensuring that IMGL continues to be the leading international organization that it is. Tony is universally recognized as one of the most prominent gaming attorneys in the world. It is through his leadership that IMGL has continued its worldwide expansion by the election of some of the world’s most renown gaming attorneys and affiliate gaming industry experts, regulators, educators and consultants. The high standard for excellence and leadership established by Tony and his predecessors is one that I and my successors can only hope to achieve. My fellow officers, for whom I am most grateful to have their assistance, are reflective of the international composition of IMGL: our Vice President is Joerg Hoffman from Heidelberg, Germany; Mike Zatezalo from Columbus, Ohio as Treasurer; and Jamie Nettleton of Sydney, Australia as Secretary. I am comforted to know that I can count on these gentlemen, Tony and my other predecessors as President of IMGL as we begin 2012. Last, but not least, the outstanding support of our Executive Director, Melissa Lurie, will be counted on to ensure that the sound organization, planning and execution of IMGL work that is the hallmark of our organization will continue.

The outstanding reputation that IMGL has achieved in its ten years of existence has been a function of the importance that we have placed on the standards that our respective members must meet to join IMGL. It is the high quality of our General and Affiliate Members that sets IMGL apart as an eminent worldwide organization and as the leading gaming law educational organization in the world.

IMGL Events

ICE – London – January 24-25, 2012
As mentioned earlier, IMGL members will be participating as moderators and speakers at an educational conference – ICE: Totally Business and Law Insights – that will take place in London on January 25, 2012. Given that ICE has become the largest gaming show in the world, we are excited to be actively participating in this educational conference. We also will have a stand on the floor of the show similar to what we have done at G2E in the past. This conference will follow IMGL’s annual reception to be held on January 24, co-sponsored by Jeffrey Green Russell of London. The IMGL reception has routinely hosted over 150 members and guests and has been instrumental in further expanding the worldwide reach of IMGL. I would add that I am very grateful for the hard work of Tony Coles and his law partner and fellow IMGL member, Nick Nocton, in making this reception such a tremendous success.

IMGL Spring Conference – Scottsdale – April 15-17, 2012
Three months later, from April 15-17, 2012, IMGL will be holding its Spring Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch. As was the case with the IMGL Spring Conference in Napa Valley in 2010, the Scottsdale conference also will have dual tracks – one devoted to North American tribal gaming matters and a second focusing on non-tribal gaming matters, as well as several general sessions involving topics of interest to all attendees. This format was well received in Napa and has enhanced the reach of IMGL into Indian Country. I am most grateful to John Maloney and John Roberts who again are heading up the organizing committee made up of IMGL members from around the world. The organizing committee is far along in their planning. A very stimulating and educational program has been planned that promises to not only carry forward the momentum from Napa relative to tribal gaming education but also will be of significant interest to any member whose work in gaming is elsewhere. Click here for details of the IMGL conference and for registration. I urge all members to attend. On April 17, the conference will be followed by the IMGL business meeting. In addition to the conference and business meeting, the organizing committee is planning a Gala Dinner that promises to show off the beauty of Scottsdale.

IMGL Reception – G2E Asia – May 23, 2012
I also am excited to report that IMGL’s continued worldwide expansion will be evidenced by our reception on May 23, 2012 at the Military Club to be held in conjunction with G2E Asia in Macau. The assistance of Professor Joerge Godinho in organizing this first of what I hope will be an annual event is very much appreciated.

IMGL Reception – G2E Las Vegas – October 2, 2012
In connection with G2E Las Vegas, IMGL will have its hugely popular annual reception at the Stirling Club. This reception has become one of the premier events during G2E and all of you are encouraged to attend to meet with other important individuals involved in the gaming industry. At that time, IMGL’s Award for Regulator of the Year will be given. We, of course, also will have a booth on the floor of the G2E Expo to help educate G2E attendees about our work and attract candidates for membership in IMGL.

IMGL Autumn Conference – London – October 10-12, 2012
Nick Nocton and John Hagan are already working hard on the planning of this conference, the first IMGL twice-yearly conference to be held in London. Under their leadership, I have no doubt that this will be a very special and successful conference. If any member wishes to assist Nick and John with this conference and/or would like to participate as moderators or speakers, please contact either of them or Melissa Lurie.

Other Events

In addition to the foregoing, IMGL also is supporting and/or sponsoring other events worldwide, including Global Gaming Women, January 25 in London, and the European I-Gaming Expo in Barcelona on October 16.

IMGL Publications

In addition to their unparalleled participation in conferences worldwide, IMGL members are actively involved in our publications devoted to gaming law education: Casino Lawyer, Canadian Gaming Lawyer, European Gaming Lawyer and our most recent publication La Ley del Juego, which is in Spanish and directed to Spanish-speaking parts of the world. Any member who wishes to contribute to these publications should contact either their respective editors (Sue McNabb – Casino Lawyer, Michael Lipton – Canadian Gaming Lawyer, Nick Nocton – European Gaming Lawyer, and Santiago Asensi/Alfredo Lazcano – La Ley del Juego) or, of course, Melissa Lurie.

The foregoing publications reflect the outstanding work of the editors and the contributions of IMGL General and Affiliate members. These four publications also provide a tremendous opportunity for IMGL members to advertise, at a very reasonable cost, their services and products by reaching the right audience. In order that IMGL can continue to publish these outstanding journals, you are encouraged to take advantage of the advertising opportunities these publications present.

Finally, of course, IMGL members serve on the editorial boards of two outstanding gaming law journals: Gaming Law and Economics Review (which is the official legal publication of IMGL) and the UNLV Gaming Law Journal. Both of these important gaming law publications include articles from authors in gaming jurisdictions around the world, many of whom are IMGL members.

Conclusion

The strength of the IMGL is its members, both General and Affiliate, whose prominence in the gaming industry is why this organization has grown to become the preeminent gaming law educational organization in the world. It is through your active participation in the IMGL, whether serving on a committee, speaking at an IMGL conference or submitting articles for one of our esteemed publications and journals that you and the organization most significantly benefit. I encourage all of you to take advantage of these opportunities as the IMGL continues to extend its influence worldwide.

Finally, it is a tremendous privilege and honor to succeed such practitioners and able leaders as Tony Coles, Bob Stocker, Michael Lipton, Heidi Staudenmaier, Tony Cabot and Frank Catania, as President of IMGL. I welcome any suggestions that anyone has that will enhance the role of IMGL as the worldwide leader in gaming education both for the benefit of its members and the gaming industry as a whole. Wishing you a prosperous and healthy New Year, I look forward to seeing you at the various IMGL events scheduled for 2012.

J. Kelly Duncan
President
International Masters of Gaming Law

click here for the archive
of President's Messages