Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Executive Director Kevin O'Toole Honored By International Gaming Association

HARRISBURG: The Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, Kevin O'Toole, has been named the recipient of the International Masters of Gaming Law's (IMGL) Gaming Regulator of the Year for the Americas.

The award is given each year to an individual in recognition of his or her contribution to the gaming law body of work and is selected from gaming regulators nominated by their colleagues. Criteria for selection include an individual's career as a regulator; contributions to the gaming industry; noteworthy achievements in the regulation of the gaming industry; providing a stable regulatory environment in his or her jurisdiction; being identified as a person of high integrity; and demonstrating service to the community.

The IMGL is a non-profit association of gaming attorneys, regulators, educators, executives and consultants from around the world who are dedicated to education and the exchange of professional information concerning all aspects of gaming law. IMGL membership consists of over 200 members and represents over 38 countries as well 32 states and the District of Columbia in the United States.

"I am honored to receive this recognition from the IMGL for my work, but the award also reflects the outstanding reputation of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) for its regulatory oversight in such a short period of time," O'Toole says. "My work at the Board is both interesting and challenging and I am very fortunate to work with a great group of dedicated employees."

O'Toole adds that it is also the leadership of the PGCB's seven member Board that has garnered the agency respect and admiration from all over the world.

"The regulatory oversight provided by the Board and staff has protected the public's interest while ensuring a fair and enjoyable gaming experience at Pennsylvania gaming facilities, and I am very proud to be a part of that success."

PGCB Chairman William H. Ryan, Jr. says the award is not only a personal achievement for O ‘Toole, but also signifies the IMGL's recognition of Pennsylvania's achievements in gaming regulatory oversight.

"This Board's goal is to protect the public's interests and ensure that Pennsylvania casinos offer a safe environment for their visitors, while providing an atmosphere for business success of these casinos," Ryan says. "Under Kevin and this Board, we believe those goals are being met and this award is another stamp of approval for those efforts."

Prior to joining the PGCB at Executive Director in June 2009, O'Toole served as a Commissioner for 2 years and as Executive Director for 10 years on the Oneida Indian Nation Gaming Commission of New York, and was with New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement for 16 years as a Deputy Attorney General.

The IMGL will make the formal presentation of the award to O'Toole on October 2, 2012 during the G2E Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas.

(PLEASE CONTACT THE PGCB COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE IF YOU WOULD LIKE A PHOTO OF MR. O'TOOLE TO USE WITH A STORY)

About the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board:
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board was established in 2004 with the passage of Act 71, also known as the Race Horse Development and Gaming Act. Pennsylvania's first new state agency in nearly 30 years, the Gaming Control Board is tasked to oversee all aspects of the state's casino industry. The 11 casinos in operation all offer both slot machine and table game gambling, employ over 16,000 people, and collectively generate an average of $4 million per day in tax revenue. A portion of that money is used for property tax reduction to all Pennsylvania homeowners; provide funds to the Commonwealth's horse racing industry, fire companies, a statewide water and sewer project grant program, and the state's General Fund; and, established a new stream of tax revenue to local governments that host casinos for community projects.

A wealth of information about the Gaming Control Board's regulatory efforts and Pennsylvania's gaming industry can be found at www.gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov. At this website, visitors can watch Board meetings live or view videos of past meetings, look up future meeting schedules and past meeting transcripts, obtain information on identifying a gambling problem and gaining assistance, access an interactive map of casino locations, request a speaker for their group, along with much more information. You can also follow the agency on Twitter by choosing @PAGamingControl.

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