SCOTT ANDRESS is a Partner in the Business section of Balch & Bingham LLP. His practice focuses primarily on gaming law and commercial transactions. Mr. Andress began his career as a management information consultant in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Washington, D.C. In 1992, he joined Eaton and Cottrell, P.A., which merged with Balch & Bingham LLP in 2001. Along with the handling of general commercial transaction matters, Mr. Andress' practice includes the regular representation of privately owned and publicly traded casino operators, gaming equipment manufacturers and distributors, lenders and institutional investors, and landowners in the following areas: • Gaming Compliance - The gaming industry in Mississippi is highly regulated by various governmental agencies, most prominently the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Mr. Andress represents and counsels gaming entities in their continuous efforts to maintain compliance with the requirements of the Mississippi Gaming Control Act of 1990 and the Mississippi Gaming Commission Regulations. • Gaming Permitting and Approvals - As a highly regulated industry, many aspects of the gaming business, including gaming site approval, licensure, company financing and findings of suitability of key employees, are subject to review or approval by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Mr. Andress represents and counsels gaming entities in obtaining the requisite regulatory approvals or reporting such matters to the Mississippi Gaming Commission, and assists with obtaining necessary permits from other state agencies, including the Alcoholic and Beverage Control Division of the Mississippi State Tax Commission. • Gaming Litigation - The development and day-to-day operation of casinos in Mississippi gives rise to a myriad of disputes which unfortunately may mature into litigation. Mr. Andress represents gaming entities in such litigation, including patron disputes concerning disputed jackpots and contested site approvals before the Mississippi Gaming Commission and the Mississippi court system.