IMGL 2008 Spring Conference
Napa Valley, California

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Sessions and Speakers

As of April 2, 2008. Subject to change

Wednesday, May 21

5:00-6:30 p.m.
Member Meeting

6:30-8:00 p.m.
Welcome Reception
Villagio Inn & Spa

Thursday, May 22

8:30-9:00 a.m.
Opening Session

9:00-10:00 a.m.
Regulatory Compliance: Tribal and Compact Requirements

Much consideration is given to how vendors and game manufacturers comply with state regulatory requirements relative to “commercial or charitable gaming.”  What must vendors do to comply with regulatory requirements in Indian country? What deference do state regulators give to tribal background checks and licensing decisions? Does a tribal license or revocation have any impact off the reservation? Who establishes and verifies game regulatory technical standards? These are among the issues the panelists will address.

Moderator:  Norm DesRosiers, Vice Chairman, National Indian Gaming Commission.  Speakers:  Paul Bullis, Director, Arizona Department of Gaming; John K. Maloney, Partner, Maloney & Tabor; Kevin Mullally, General Counsel and Director Government Affairs, Gaming Laboratories International, Inc.; John Roberts, Executive Director, San Pasqual Tribal Gaming Commission

10:00-10:15 a.m.
Refreshment Break

10:15-11:30 a.m.
Gaming & Compliance in Russia, South America and Mexico

Compliance issues in the emerging markets of Russia, South America and Mexico will be addressed by this knowledgeable panel, which includes a gaming operations executive who operates casinos in Russia, South America and Mexico; a slot manufacturer executive who has Class II machines in Mexico and the U.S., and is entering the Class III arena in the U.S.; and a director of compliance for a globally prominent slot manufacturer.

Moderator:  Gordon Dickie, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Government Affairs, Compliance, and GM of Worldwide Sales, Cadillac Jack, Inc.  Speakers:  Gene Chayevsky, CEO, Cadillac Jack, Inc.; Thomas Jingoli, Senior Director of Compliance and Legal Administration, Konami Gaming, Inc.; Clive Tilley, President, Tilley Entertainment

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The Legal Side of Labor Issues

Several prominent attorneys representing the gaming industry will lead this discussion outlining the myriad casino incidents that can result in lawsuits, such as slips and falls, crimes committed by third parties, and player disputes. The panelists will also tackle employer labor problems, including unfair wages, workers’ compensation issues, unemployment and new regulations regarding the hiring of illegal immigrants. Legal issues facing equipment suppliers will also be addressed.

Moderator:  Britt Singletary, Partner, Singletary & Thrash.  Speakers:  Jeff Cooper, Co-Trustee, IP Casino Resort Spa Biloxi and Partner, Bradshaw, Smith & Co., LLP; Bobby Moak, Chairman, Gaming Committee, Mississippi House of Representatives; W. Owen Nitz, Co-Trustee, IP Casino Resort Spa Biloxi and Partner, Nitz Walton & Heaton, Ltd.; Tina Singletary, Partner, Singletary & Thrash; David Welch, Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs, Missouri Gaming Commission

12:30-2:00 p.m.
Luncheon

2:00-3:00 p.m.
Understanding Internet Horserace Wagering

The Interstate Horseracing Act as amended in 2000 allows for horserace wagering on the Internet. How does that work? Where is the wager made on the Internet? What about the Wire Act? How does that affect foreign commerce and why was this an issue in the WTO? How do the recent wine case decisions impact these issues? The panel also will discuss the World Trade organization decision and what effect it will have.

Moderator:  Victor Gallo, Vice President, Business Development General Manager and Director, Youbet Nevada.  Speakers: Michael Cohen, Shareholder, Heller Ehrman; Gary Ehrlich, Catania Consulting Group, Inc.; Edward Hannah, former General Counsel Magna Entertainment Corporation; Kimberly P. Stein, General Counsel, Sona Mobile; Alexander M. Waldrop, President and CEO, National Thoroughbred Racing Association

3:00-4:15 p.m.
Technology Review: What’s New in 2008?

The newest and hottest gaming technology will be reviewed. The session includes real-time demonstrations of exciting new products that will move the identity issue of patrons to the next level. There will be a demonstration of the Griffin Book and a description of its benefits to the gaming industry. Also, the panel will discuss applications and background checks, high-level computer security and a method for placing it in properties.

Moderator:  Peter Maheu, Managing Partner, Global Risk Management. Speakers:  Robert Drobish, Vice President of Client Relations, GGS-US, Ltd.; Beverly Griffin, Owner, The Griffin Book; Julie Hakman, President, American Checked; Dennis Nelson, President, AP-ID, Inc.

4:15-4:30 p.m.
Refreshment Break

4:30-5:45 p.m.
Game On: Sports Betting Around the World

Sports betting remains wildly popular in all parts of the world. Panelists will discuss the legalities of sports betting in Europe and the United States. There will be a discussion on how lines are set and the critical interaction between odds-makers and institutions such as the NCAA. Ben Hayes, a former pitcher with the Cincinnati Reds will lead this lively discussion and interject his knowledge regarding professional baseball.

Moderator:  Ben J. Hayes, Partner, Carlton Fields, P.A.  Speakers:  Anthony Cabot, Partner, Lewis & Roca; Nick Nocton, Partner, Jeffrey Green Russell; Ellen Whittemore, Of Counsel, Lionel Sawyer & Collins, and President, Las Vegas Sports Consultants

6:30-9:30 p.m.
Gala Dinner at Markham Vineyards
Read more about Markham Vineyards on the Travel & Lodging page

Friday, May 23

8:30-9:00 a.m.
General Session
2008 IMGL Gaming Executives of the Year Award Recipients

Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., President & CEO, American Gaming Association
Ernest Stevens, Jr., Chairman, National Indian Gaming Association

9:00-10:00 a.m.
Rise of the Machines: Class II vs. Class III

Much of the success of Indian gaming was built on Class II gaming; but for years, regulations pertaining to and the legal description of Class II gaming has been a work in progress. Now, several tribes that built hugely successful operations around Class II–including the Seminoles–have negotiated compacts that allow traditional Las Vegas-style slots–Class III games. Keeping abreast of legal and regulatory issues is as complicated as ever, with different interpretations from state to state, and from one Indian nation to another. This panel will address Class II vs. Class III issues, and how rapidly evolving technology will affect Indian gaming operations the next few years.

Moderator:  D. Michael McBride III, Chair, Indian Law & Gaming Practice Group, Crowe & Dunlevy, P.C.  Speakers: Jess Green, Law offices of Jess Green; Ron Harris, CEO, Rocket Gaming; Aaron Rubin, Director of Marketing, Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.; Heidi McNeil Staudenmaier, Partner, Snell & Wilmer

10:oo-10:30 a.m.
Refreshment Break

10:30-11:30 a.m.
Do’s & Don’ts of Financing an Indian Casino

Homeowners and homebuilders aren’t the only ones suffering from the sub-prime credit meltdown. Businesses large and small are having a tough time getting financing for construction projects, and Indian casinos are no exception. Professionals from the investment and commercial banking industries will discuss the impact of the credit market on the financing options for existing and proposed Indian gaming operations.

Moderator:  Frank L. Miller, Partner, Miller, Malone & Tellefson, P.S., Inc.  Speakers: Dennis Bloch, Executive Vice President, Syndications and Corporate Finance, Wells Fargo; Kristin Jackson, Managing Director, Real Estate, Gaming and Lodging Investment Banking, Banc of America Securities LLC; Andy Laub, Chairman and CEO, Aqua Jiva Resorts Group

11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Non-North American Jurisdictional Updates

The speakers on this international panel will address a wide range of topics concerning gaming in Australia, Asia, Ireland, the European Union, the United Kingdom and South Africa. Topics include: The departure of interactive gaming companies from the U.S., largely as a result of the Unlawful Interactive Gambling Enforcement Act; the Asian market – targeted as the best growth market for interactive gaming, developments in i Gaming regulations and the uncertainty of enforcement; within the European Union – the legal status of national monopolies is in flux as a result of the Gambelli and Placanica decisions; what impact will the Gambling Act of 2005 have on British interactive gambling regulation? Have Australia and South Africa missed the boat on international gambling regulation?

Moderator:  Joe Kelly, Professor, Buffalo State College State University of New York, Business Department.  Speakers: Anthony Coles, Partner, Jeffrey Green Russell; Shane Dayal, Advocate of the High Court of South Africa; Katrina Nepomuceno, First Cagayan Leisure and Resort Corporation; Jamie Nettleton, Partner, Addisons Lawyers; William Thompson, Professor, University of Nevada Las Vegas; Wai-Ming YAP, Stamford Law Corporation

12:45-2:00 p.m.
Luncheon