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NEW YORK (February 24, 2003) - GEM Communications is pleased to announce the return of the New York Gaming Summit, April 21-22, 2003, at the Desmond Hotel & Conference Center in Albany.
Last year's inaugural New York Gaming Summit drew more than 300 key executives from the casino, lottery and racing industries, gaming stock analysts and media who explored issues related to the expansion of gaming in the United States' largest commercial market.
"As New York moves to the top of the list of new opportunities in the American gaming industry, we're delighted to be back in Albany this April," said Charles Anderer, vice president and group publisher, GEM Communications. "Some of the biggest names in tribal gaming, commercial casinos and horse racing, including many key players in the Empire State, will analyze the state of gaming in New York, and discuss how to help it and the industry make the most of this opportunity."
Several facets about the Summit will be significantly larger this year following the success of last year's sold-out event. The Conference lineup will grow from five to six seminars, which will be housed in a larger conference room in 2003. An expanded networking area will feature a limited number of expo-style booths this year.
American Gaming Association President and CEO Frank Fahrenkopf, Jr., will present the luncheon keynote address on April 22. The Summit will kick off with an opening night reception and brief remarks the evening of April 21.
Seminar topics in 2003 include:
Legal and Regulatory Update
As an emerging jurisdiction with long-established lottery, parimutuel and tribal gaming industries, New York State regulators are in the unique position of managing the established and the new. Tribal casinos, game security, Internet gaming and constitutional objections to new forms of gaming have occupied their attention in the past year. This session will give attendees an in-depth view of these issues.
Project Status Update
With creation of a temporary casino in Niagara Falls and the impending introduction of VLTs to New York state racetracks, the physical image of gaming in New York is beginning to take shape. This session will identify likely sites of development in Western New York and the Catskills, and address what types of casino projects are ideally suited to the New York market.
Economic and Social Impacts of Gaming
The decision to introduce new forms of gaming in any jurisdiction is based on the assumption that the costs of gaming are by far outweighed by positive economic impacts, and that issues such as new demands on infrastructure and problem gambling can be managed effectively. Speakers at this session will give attendees a sense of both sides.
Indian Gaming in New York: Here and Now
With compacts signed and approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and gaming projects moving apace, three New York State Indian tribes are poised to create an enormous economic engine in the Empire State in 2003. At this session invited representatives of all three tribes will provide a progress report on their plans for Indian gaming in New York and discuss the potential impact of gaming on tribal members and non-Indian residents of the state.
VLT Potential in New York
When the original VLT legislation passed in 2001, it was hoped that VLTs at several of New York's racetracks would be operating by the end of 2002. However, racetrack operators have been at odds with the proposed rules and revenue splits regarding video lottery terminals. Assuming these issues are resolved, preparation of the facilities will soon be under way, and in this session, participants in the VLT program will discuss their plans and how they expect New York, and New York racing, to benefit from VLTs.
Slots in the Northeast: The Nation's Hottest Growth Market
Slot machines and video lottery terminals are the revenue-raising attraction that encourages state legislators to legalize new forms of gaming. The combination of expanded gaming in New York, robust markets in Connecticut, New Jersey, Ontario and Quebec, and the prospect of new gaming in neighboring states such as Pennsylvania and Massachusetts puts a spotlight on the region's slot machine supply/demand equation.
For a complete list of speakers and seminar descriptions, and to register, visit www.nysummit.com; or call 702-794-0718 x200 to request a brochure.
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Media contact: Stephen Gibbs, Marketing Director, GEM Communications, (913) 344-1300 x 234,
sgibbs@gemcomm.com.
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