The 20th Southern Gaming Summit in the US opened on Wednesday with a standing ovation for Frank Fahrenkopf Jnr, the retiring American Gaming Association president and CEO, who has led the group since its inception in 1995.
Fahrenkopf was credited by his colleagues, on video and in person, for leading the industry to where it is now recognised as an important contributor to the economy of communities.
"He's led it with distinction," said Gary Loveman, chairman of Caesars Entertainment, who presented Farenkopf with a lifetime achievement award for his work with the AGA.
Fahrenkopf was chairman of the Republican party for six of the eight years of Ronald Reagan's presidency. Virginia McDowell, CEO of Isle of Capri Casinos, said Fahrenkopf began his position when casinos were experiencing a great expansion.
"He brought instant credibility to the industry," she said. He was "masterful" at making the diverse players in the industry understand they had to come together and build consensus, she said.
