Michigan Representation at G2E Reflects Healthy, Growing Industry

10 July 2002

By David Waddell

Two months from now gaming industry personnel from around the globe will descend on Las Vegas, Nevada, for the second annual Global Gaming Expo (G2E). The G2E will feature plenty of brand-new, cutting edge technology for use in all areas of the gaming industry, from slots to security. The trade show will also feature hundreds of companies displaying their wares and attempting to sell their products to gaming enterprises. Casino executives and managers, slot technicians and dealers will be making their way to the biggest casino industry event of the year. Strolling in the midst of gaming industry personnel from around the globe this year will be a strong contingent of gaming industry insiders from the state of Michigan. As the casino gaming industry grows and expands in our state, our representation at substantial industry events such as the G2E reflects that growth. In turn, the larger the Michigan contingent is at events such as the G2E, the more people there are to promote our state as a premier gaming market with an exceptional regulatory oversight system. The goal of the state of Michigan and the Michigan Gaming Control Board has always been to set the standard regarding high-quality, efficient regulation and oversight of the industry within the state. The gaming industry in Michigan is still in its early stages, but when it comes to creating panels, recruiting speakers and selecting knowledgeable educators, Michigan can boast some of the best gaming professionals in the industry.

This year it looks as though Michigan will be represented by at least 12 insightful and informed individuals each functioning in different areas of the gaming industry. The individuals will perform a variety of functions at the Expo including roles as panelists, moderators and speakers. Further, they will also represent a large geographical portion of our state, with invitees from Detroit to Lansing to Sault Ste. Marie. Moreover, attendees from Michigan represent a rather diverse group of industry personnel. Our representatives include casino employees and executives as well as state regulatory oversight employees, gaming attorneys and gaming analysts, journalists covering the gaming industry, sales and marketing personnel, communication directors and college professors. These gaming industry insiders from Michigan who have been asked to share their knowledge at the 2002 Global Gaming Expo also have a wide variety of experience to draw from. Some began in the gaming industry far away from Michigan and arrived here to help see that gaming was properly developed and implemented. Some were already positioned in Michigan and have followed every step of the lengthy process that established casino gaming here. Regardless, here are some of the people who have helped to establish Michigan as a legitimate and respected gaming market and that will be participating in the 2002 G2E.

According to the organizers of the 2002 Global Gaming Expo, representatives from the Michigan gaming industry at this year's G2E include:

- Pat Leen, Labratory Manager from the Casino Compliance Division of the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). Mr. Leen is responsible for casino construction monitoring, the MGCB gaming laboratory and compliance investigations at the three public casinos in Detroit. Mr. Leen has been a Michigan state employee for 27 years. He specialized in economic crime investigations until 1989, when he began working in gaming as an investigator for the Michigan Bureau of the State Lottery. Mr. Leen has held his current position since the legalization of casino gaming in Detroit in 1996. He will serve as a panelist at the 2002 G2E.

- John Hawkins, Vice President of Slot Operation at Greektown Casino. Mr. Hawkins came to Michigan from Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he served as Director of Slot Operations. Prior to joining Ameristar in 1995, he served as slot manager of the Hilton.