Kevin Laforet, President and CEO of Casino Windsor, is the Gaming Professional of the Year!

29 September 2004

By David Waddell

At this year's Global Gaming Expo ("G2E"), the gaming industry's premier industry trade show, Casino Windsor's President and CEO Kevin Laforet will receive the prestigious "Gaming Professional of the Year Award" for the Eastern Division from the Casino Management Association. The award will be presented during a special Communications Awards Reception held by the American Gaming Association on Wednesday, October 6th. Last year's award winner - Salvatore Semola, Executive, Rampart Casino - will present the award.

Kevin Laforet was named president and CEO of Windsor Casino Limited ("WCL") in June 2003, and is the first Canadian to hold this position. Windsor Casino Limited, which is equally owned by Caesars Entertainment and Hilton Hotels, operates Casino Windsor on behalf of the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation.

An influential member of the executive team for more than a decade, Mr. Laforet has served in many senior positions at WCL. In his first year with WCL, Mr. Laforet moved from financial controller to vice president and chief financial officer. In 1998, he was appointed to executive vice president and in 2000 he was named chief operating officer.

During his 10 years with the company, Mr. Laforet has been in the unique position of having played a key role in opening three properties for Casino Windsor, beginning with the interim facility in 1994, the Northern Belle Riverboat Casino in 1995 and the permanent facility in 1998. During this time, he has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for Casino Windsor to become one of the most successful gaming operations in North America.

Other milestones in his career include the challenging days following the September 11 tragedies, when 80 percent of Casino Windsor's business was lost. As chief operating officer Mr. Laforet helped guide the company back to becoming a leading contender in the Detroit/Windsor market.

Looking ahead, Mr. Laforet is at the helm of Casino Windsor during a pivotal point in the company's history as it considers a multi-million dollar expansion to solidify its position in the highly competitive Detroit/Windsor market.

Mr. Laforet is a strong believer and supporter of community involvement both for the company and for himself. "Casino Windsor Cares" is the name of the company's sponsorship and donations program, which, under Mr. Laforet's leadership, has become the brand name of outstanding corporate citizenship in the area. Following this principle of community involvement, Mr. Laforet serves as a member of the Board of Governors for the University of Windsor. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Windsor-Essex County and the Windsor branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ontario.

Before entering the gaming industry, Mr. Laforet's employment experience included positions with the Canadian and U.S. operations of Hiram Walker & Sons where he served as Controller of the U.S. Division. He has also worked with Union Gas Limited and Ernst & Young.

Born in London Ontario in 1959, Mr. Laforet moved to Windsor at an early age where he attended schools in Windsor and Belle River. Mr. Laforet is a graduate of the University of Windsor (Bachelor of Commerce – 1981) and received a Chartered Accountant's designation from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario in 1983. He is a resident of Lakeshore, Ontario where he lives with his wife Julie and three children.

Casino Windsor is very fortunate to have such a talented, experienced executive at its helm. It is no wonder that Casino Windsor has been able to weather some tough times and remain a significant competitor in the Detroit/Windsor casino market.