Gaming news briefs for May 4, 2004

Tuesday, May 4, 2004 | 11:11 a.m.

Tradeshow services company buys convention contractor

Las Vegas-based GES Exposition Services Inc., a major tradeshow services company, announced today the acquisition of Pro Show Services, a convention contractor based in Edmonton, Alberta.

In a statement, GES officials said the purchase will allow GES Canada to increase its business in Western Canada. Pro Show Services, which has 80 employees, is the contractor for several convention centers and major hotels in Canada. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

GES Exposition Services is a subsidiary of Phoenix-based Viad Corp. GES has 1,400 full-time employees with 500 based in Las Vegas.

Coalition raises $800,000

LINCOLN, Neb. -- A petition drive to legalize casinos and about 4,900 slot machines across the state has collected $800,000.

The Keep the Money in Nebraska coalition, which includes Coast Casinos of Las Vegas, Nebraska's horse racing industry, keno operators and local communities, received $400,000 last month, its report showed Monday. It had earlier collected $400,000 from its key supporters.

Backers of a separate petition drive, which would allow slot machines but not casinos, as of Monday had not yet filed the April financial report with the state.

Baptist pastors organize opposition to gambling

TULSA, Okla. -- Opponents of electronic gambling machines have taken to the pulpit to try to influence what happens at the ballot box.

Baptist pastors across Oklahoma urged their congregations on Sunday to sign a petition that would allow the law to be placed before voters to consider.

Among them was Pastor John Fream of Calvary Baptist Church in Broken Arrow.

"It's wrong, and it's destroying families," Fream said of gambling. "It's a tax on the poor. Morally, I think it just brings down our society."

The gaming law, which doesn't take effect until the end of August, would allow three of the state's four horse racetracks to offer electronic games, and it outlines a model tribal gaming compact.