Gaming professionals from all over the world will gather in Queensland, Australia this month for the 9th Annual Gaming & Casinos Convention, the Asia/Pacific region's premier gambling industry event. Scheduled for February 19-21 in Gold Coast, the convention comes at perhaps the most crucial time ever for Internet gambling in Australia.
Much of the focus, no doubt, will be on the volatile state of the online gambling in Australia. The industry's future Down Under will unfold in coming weeks, and some of the key players in the policy-making process will be on hand for the event, many of whom will be speaking.
With a moratorium on Internet gambling expansion in place and prohibition a distinct possibility, many of those in the business who are seeking answers will converge to strategize and lobby for regulation. Others are seeking business opportunities elsewhere and will utilize the international scope of the event to explore markets outside Australia. In that sense, the conference, particularly the expo, should present some excellent opportunities for international companies to build bridges between themselves and the several well funded groups that previously had their sights set on capturing Australia's burgeoning market.
The conference, the only show in Australasia completely devoted to interactive gaming and wagering, will feature several international speakers who will share their expertise in technology, management and regulation: Sue Schneider, President of River City Group (U.S.); Michael Meeks, President of e-Success (Canada); Anthony Cabot, internationally prominent gaming attorney, Lionel Sawyers & Collins (U.S.); Professor Jan McMillan, Executive Director for Australian Institute for Gambling Research (Australia); Kelvin Tan, CEO, Fontana Casino Resorts (Philippines); Nigel Morrison, Director of Operations, Wrest Point Casino (Australia); Professor Christian Marfels, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada); Richard Farmer, Chairman, Canbet (Australia); Ross Ferrar, Chief Executive - Gaming, TAB, (NSW)(Australia); and Jan Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, Lotteries Commission (WA), Executive Committee Member, World Lotteries Association, Chair, Asia-Pacific Lottery Association (Australia).
Other speakers will focus specifically on issues in Australia: Sen. Jeannie Ferris, Chair of the Senate's Select Committee on Information Technology, Liberal Party; Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister Sport and Youth Affairs, Shadow Minister assisting on Industry, Technology and Information Technology; David Hamill MLA, Treasurer of Queensland; and Senator Natasha Stott-Despoja, (South Australia), Deputy Parliamentary Leader, Australian Democrats.
On the lighter side, the week's events will also present networking opportunities of a much more relaxed nature, including a river cruise and a golf tournament.
Registrations for the conference are still being taken. Those interested in attending can get more information and register online at www.terrapinn.com/brands/gamingcasinos/gamecasino2001aus.