The Effect of Consolidation on the Gaming Industry Highlighted At American Gaming Summit

Panel to Address Acquisitions, Economic Concentration and Future For Small Gaming Companies

Press Release: Casino Journal Publishing Group, Inc.
December 8, 2000
LAS VEGAS, NV -- A panel of industry experts will discuss the effect of consolidation on the gaming industry as well as the future of small gaming companies during the American Gaming Summit next month in Las Vegas. Anti-trust and economic concentration issues will also be addressed.

``Consolidation: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'' is the topic of a panel discussion set for 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, the first full day of the annual event that will be held at the Bellagio through Jan. 12.

``As the creation of gaming jurisdictions has slowed throughout the country, major gaming companies have been able to expand principally through acquisition of other gaming companies,'' said Bob Faiss, panel moderator and partner in Lionel Sawyer Collins, Nevada's largest law firm. The firm is a producer of the American Gaming Summit, along with Casino Journal Publishing Group (OTC Bulletin Board: CJPG - news), the leading information provider for the gaming industry, and Bear, Stearns & Co., one of the nation's premier financial institutions.

Faiss said consolidation panelists will review the elements that influence casino consolidation decisions; where casino consolidation appears to be headed in the early years of the 21st century; whether standards utilized by federal and state governments to evaluate proposed casino acquisitions are fair and adequate; whether any casino jurisdiction is approaching undue economic concentration; and the future for small casino companies.

``Consolidation is a key issue in the industry, and the 2001 Summit is fortunate to feature top industry experts to address this topic,'' Faiss said. Speakers include Jason Ader, senior managing director, Bear, Stearns & Co.; Clive Cummis, executive vice president & general counsel, Park Place Entertainment; James Hurley, chairman, New Jersey Casino Control Commission; James Murren, president, MGM MIRAGE; James Perry, president Argosy Gaming Corp.; and Brian Sandoval, chairman, Nevada Gaming Commission.

``It's been more than five years since speakers at the American Gaming Summit predicted that consolidation would shape the gaming industry into the 21st century,'' said Glenn Fine, Group Publisher for the Casino Journal Publishing Group. ``Now that its effect has been truly felt, it's time to assess any further moves toward consolidation.''

Because of these kinds of issues, the American Gaming Summit is considered a ``must attend'' event for top-level gaming executives, said Fine. Established in 1994, the Summit draws up to 1,000 national and international attendees.

The 2001 Summit will honor MGM MIRAGE Executive Chairman J. Terrence Lanni with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the keynote dinner on Jan. 11. In addition to honoring gaming greats such as Lanni, the Summit also names the ``Most Innovative Gaming Product of the Year'' at the keynote lunch on Jan. 12. Speaking at that luncheon will be new Park Place Entertainment President & CEO Thomas Gallagher.

For more information on attending the American Gaming Summit, call 800-394-2467. Attendees will receive a special room rate for Bellagio -- one of the world's great hotels-during the convention. Special sponsorships and exhibiting opportunities are available for a limited time. For more information call 800-229-8516.

SOURCE: Casino Journal Publishing Group, Inc.