Off to Las Vegas '11

I'm off to Las Vegas and the Global Gaming Expo this week. Here's what's happening:

Global Gaming Expo's spotlight turns to Internet

By Howard StutzInternet gaming and the potential for its federally approved legalization and regulation overshadows much of this year's G2E, which runs Tuesday through Thursday at the Sands Expo and Convention Center. The convention, the gaming industry's largest annual meeting and trade show, is closed to the general public.

On Sept. 20, the American Gaming Association, the industry's Washington D.C.-based lobbying arm, called on the federal government to legalize and regulate Internet poker as a way of protecting American consumers.

Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., the president of the American Gaming Association, which produces G2E with Reed Expositions, said the show is giving Internet gaming, particularly Internet poker, a large platform. More than half of the space in European gaming trade shows is now dedicated to Internet gambling, he said.

"It's growing and you get the sense there is a large amount of interest out there," said Fahrenkopf, whose organization had opposed Internet gaming until last year, when it took a neutral stance on Internet poker. The American Gaming Association released a report at the time saying that the group believes there's sufficient technology to properly regulate the activity.Anyway, my buddy Victor and I will be manning the Pechanga.net booth amid the slot machines and table games. Reports and pictures to follow.