HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania – (PRESS RELEASE) -- State Sen. Robert M. "Tommy" Tomlinson, an architect of Pennsylvania's recently enacted gaming legislation, will be a featured speaker at Pennsylvania Gaming Congress 2005.
The important daylong conference takes place Feb. 9 at the Hilton Harrisburg & Towers and kicks off with a Feb. 8 cocktail reception sponsored by International Game Technology. Pennsylvania Gaming Congress 2005 has attracted leading gaming operators and suppliers, regulators, public officials, and Wall Street analysts.
Sen. Tomlinson, who engaged in a decade-long fight to authorize slot machines at racetracks, was instrumental in crafting and passing Act 71, which allows up to 61,000 slot machines in the Commonwealth. Gov. Ed Rendell signed the legislation July 5 at a ceremony hosted by Sen. Tomlinson at Philadelphia Park.
"It is important that Pennsylvania is holding its first Gaming Congress in 2005. I am delighted to be included as a panelist. Pennsylvania is taking its first steps in this field, and we have plenty to learn. We want to get it right. The talent and experience at this conference will be valuable resources. And, as we learn from you, you can learn from us about our expectations and our public policy,"
Sen. Tomlinson said. Pennsylvania Gaming Congress 2005 this week launched its Web site at: http://www.PAgamingcongress.com.
The site, developed by SOSH Architects, provides the conference agenda and online registration. Aristocrat Technologies, a Las Vegas-based provider of gaming machines and casino management systems, will be the major sponsor of Pennsylvania Gaming Congress 2005.
"Aristocrat is delighted to sponsor the Pennsylvania Gaming Congress at such an exciting time for the state. We're committed to supporting the success of gaming in Pennsylvania and look forward to working with the public officials and casino operators as they launch Pennsylvania's new gaming program," said Gavin Isaacs, President of Aristocrat Technologies.
Other participating companies and organizations include: A.C. Coin & Slot, American Gaming Association, Ascend Media, Bally Gaming and Systems, Cooper Levenson, Deutsche Bank Securities, Ernst & Young, Fulcrum Global Partners, Global Gaming Business Weekly, Harrah's Entertainment, Jefferies, Marsh, Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, New Jersey Casino Control Commission, Penn National Gaming, Prudential Securities, Radio PA Networks, Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, and WMS Gaming. Pennsylvania Gaming Congress 2005 is presented by Public Affairs Management LLC, a leading government relations firm in Pennsylvania, and Duane Morris LLP, an international law firm based in Philadelphia. The organizing producers are Michael Pollock's Gaming Industry Observer, an award-winning newsletter prized for expertise in Northeast gaming, and Spectrum Gaming Group LLC, a full-service international gaming consultancy.