Global Gaming Women raises more than $30,000 for education fund

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Women in the international gaming industry will further benefit from continuing education opportunities, thanks to a more than $30,000 fundraising effort by Global Gaming Women (GGW) at its annual Kick Up Your Heels event, held Sept. 25 in Las Vegas and co-hosted by UNLV's International Gaming Institute (IGI). The money will go toward the GGW Charitable Education Fund, which provides scholarships for women in gaming.

“We’re extremely proud of all that we accomplished with the GGW Education Fund this year, and a successful event like this is rewarding because it enables more success in the future,” said Virginia McDowell, president and CEO of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. and GGW co-chair. “I especially want to thank the members of GGW’s Education Committee, who put in a great deal of time and effort to raise these funds and make this event possible.”

Donations came from both individuals and companies. Top donations included $10,000 from Dotty’s Casinos and $5,000 from Bally Technologies. In addition to the more than $30,000 in cash contributions, American Casino & Entertainment Properties (ACEP) contributed $6,600 in in-kind donations, providing food and beverages and hosting the event at McCall's Heartland Grill at The Stratosphere. Also, culinary students from UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration donated cookies as favors for the event.

This year, GGW awarded its Continuing Education Scholarships to 17 women who were chosen from a diverse range of applicants, coming from eight different states and covering a wide range of positions throughout the international gaming industry. The scholarships cover the cost of tuition for online or in-person seminars and classes offered through UNLV or its International Gaming Institute that focus on resort- or casino-related subjects. In the coming months, GGW will release further information about the 2014 scholarships, with plans to expand the program to provide opportunities at additional universities.