Keynote speaker for Southern Gaming Summit confirmed

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association (MGHA) is pleased to announce that Sara Slane, senior vice president of public affairs, American Gaming Association (AGA) will be a keynote speaker on Day 2 of the 2019 Southern Gaming Summit (SGS). The event will be held 7-9 May 2019 in Biloxi, MS.

As a key industry strategist and spokesperson, Slane has helped enhance the gaming industry’s reputation and build favorable perceptions among critical stakeholders, including regulators, legislators, the media, and the broader public. Most recently, Slane managed the most important advocacy victory in AGA history, a campaign to repeal the federal ban on sports betting known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). Slane was integral to planning the campaign’s strategy and leading key aspects, including building alliances with sports leagues and policymakers; handling the association’s day-to-day grassroots and communications efforts; and overseeing the development of original research that demonstrated the overwhelming support for legal, regulated sports betting among fans and quantified the economic opportunities for American businesses. Slane and AGA’s efforts culminated in the 14 May 2018 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn PASPA and clear the way for the gaming industry to offer sports betting under state regulation.

“We’re very excited that Ms. Slane will be attending our conference as a keynote speaker,” said Larry Gregory, executive director, MGHA. “As our industry’s foremost expert on sports betting, she’ll bring key insights and knowledge that will be of interest to, and benefit, all of our attendees.”

Additional keynote speakers will be announced once confirmed.