LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Oct. 3, 2001 -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and entertainer Paul Anka were honored Tuesday night by the American Gaming Association in an inaugural awards ceremony recognizing "America's Gaming Greats."
Reid, the Senate majority whip, received the Industry Leadership Award "for his tireless advocacy of the gaming industry" and for serving as a voice on Capitol Hill for the hundreds of thousands of people whose jobs are supported by gaming entertainment.
Anka, "a top name in the gaming-entertainment industry for several decades," received the AGA's Entertainer Award. Anka recently signed a four-year deal to perform at Bally's Grand Resorts in Atlantic City and Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut.
The AGA also recognized Park Place Entertainment Corp. and Boyd Gaming Corp. for their financial support of the National Center for Responsible Gaming. Boyd was one of the first contributors to the research center, while Park Place has donated more than $1 million to the center.