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The ability of Indian nations and tribes to offer sports betting and the continued growth of tribal gaming will be primary topics when the Committee on Casinos meets at the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) Winter Meeting, January 4-6 in New Orleans.

Registration for the three-day conference is now open to the public at http://www.nclgs.org/meetings.html. A limited number of hotel rooms at host Harrah’s New Orleans is still available at special attendee rates.

Nearly half of the 1,000 casinos in the United States are operated by Native American nations and tribes, and their revenue growth has outpaced that of commercial casinos over the last decade. Now, many tribal operators seek to add sports betting to their offerings. What role do state governments have – and not have – in oversight, in fostering growth, and in providing services? Four presenters from different perspectives will provide answers.

“As a Florida legislator, I know how Indian gaming can be a dynamic economic force for tribal members, communities and states,” said Committee Chair Perry Thurston, a Senator from Florida. “This committee – and this excellent roster of speakers – is committed to making sure that sovereign tribal and state governments continue working together for mutual benefit.”

The Committee on Casinos will hear from the following presenters:

• Kenneth George Jr, Chairman, Forest County Potawatomi Gaming Commission
• Dan Little, Vice President of Government Relations, Aristocrat, former NIGC Commissioner
• Sheila Morago, Executive Director, Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association
• Valerie Spicer, Founding Partner, Trilogy Group

More than 200 attendees, including dozens of state legislators, are expected to attend the three-day NCLGS Winter Meeting. The conference agenda includes:

• Keynote Luncheon Address from former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, whose arguments before the Supreme Court resulted in overturning the federal prohibition on sports betting
• Six legislative committee sessions: Casinos, Emerging Forms of Gaming, Lotteries, Pari-Mutuels, Sports Betting/iGaming, and State-Federal Relations
• The Big Picture: Focus on Freshman Class of Legislators – an introduction to gaming
• Two Masterclasses presented by the International Masters of Gaming Law
• Thursday evening and Friday evening welcome receptions
• Saturday afternoon back-of-house tours of Harrah’s New Orleans
• Sunday general session focusing on the relationship between gaming and tourism

The Winter Meeting has been approved for 10.25 and 10.0 Continuing Legal Education credits by the Louisiana and Nevada bars, respectively, underscoring its importance as a premier gaming policy forum.

To view the NCLGS Winter Meeting agenda, register, and book hotel rooms at the host hotel at special attendee rates, visit http://www.nclgs.org/meetings.html.

For sponsorship information, contact [email protected]. Legislators and others seeking NCLGS membership information should contact Wayne Marlin at [email protected].

NCLGS is the only organization of state lawmakers that meets on a regular basis to discuss issues relating to gaming. Members of NCLGS serve as chairpersons or members of state legislative committees responsible for the regulation of gaming in their state legislative houses. NCLGS does not promote or oppose gaming but is primarily concerned with the regulation and economic and social impacts of the industry. The NCLGS Foundation is the educational and research arm of NCLGS. The 501(c)(3) non-profit is a source of non-partisan data on issues of gaming legislation and regulation.

Spectrum Gaming Group, which has performed advisory and consulting work for gaming operators, regulators and legislatures in 36 US states and territories and in 47 countries on six continents, serves as the Executive Director of NCLGS.

SOURCE National Council of Legislators from Gaming States

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