Several years ago, I flew to Las Vegas to moderate a panel discussion on gaming in Lansing for an international gaming association. This was during the time when Circus Circus and Greektown and several others were considering opening casinos in Detroit.

I got there early, familiarized myself with the surroundings, then attended a preparatory meeting of the three panelists taking part. Imagine my surprise when I walked into the meeting at the Las Vegas convention center and discovered I already knew two of the three panelists very well. They were the two gentlemen on this month’s cover, none other than Bob Stocker and Dave Waddell. After our very successful panel discussion, I learned they are two leading experts on gaming in the United States. Actually, Bob then went on to become the president of the International Masters of Gaming Law and now serves as past president. The expertise that we have here in the Greater Lansing area is influential on the international gaming scene, so it occurred to me that this would be an excellent topic to write about as the industry has continued to grow.

Gaming is an economy within an economy, and as you read this month’s issue, you may be surprised at the number of people involved in the gaming industry and the expertise here in the Greater Lansing area. As sometimes happens, as we begin to cover a topic, we find out how really deep we are in a given industry locally. 

On another note, last month I had the distinct pleasure of being the emcee at the Steak and Burger Dinner for the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing; the excellent speaker was MSU hockey coach Tom Anastos, then, the evening was  highlighted by the speech from the Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year, Robert Ray Jr. A young man who recently graduated from Sexton High School as valedictorian, and he is now enrolled at Michigan State University on a full scholarship. It moved me to hear his story. (You can scan the QR code with your smart phone and hear for yourself this young man’s inspiring story.) Robert’s life is proof that when someone enters a child’s life and cares for him or her, that young person can be turned around and make meaning of their existence—which is an obligation we should all take seriously.

Have a prosperous month from all of us here at The Greater Lansing Business Monthly.

		Chris Holman Publisher