July 18, 2011--The American Gaming Association announced today it will induct Las Vegas Sands CEO and Chairman Sheldon Adelson into the AGA Gaming Hall of Fame.

The AGA called Adelson "one of the driving forces behind gaming in Las Vegas and Asia" and credited the executive for transforming Las Vegas into an international destination for business and leisure.

In 1985, Adelson purchased the Sands Hotel and Casino and constructed the Sands Expo convention center, where the AGA is moving its annual Global Gaming Expo from the Las Vegas Convention Center this fall. Adelson later built and opened the Venetian and the Palazzo resorts on the site of the Sands.

Las Vegas Sands also owns resorts in Macau, Singapore and Bethlehem, Pa.

Adelson will join other gaming legends in the Hall of Fame, such as Steve Wynn, Jackie Gaughan, Bill Harrah, Sam Boyd and Bill Bennett, who have been inducted in previous years.

In addition to Adelson, the AGA will also be inducting the Blue Man Group and celebrity chef Charlie Palmer into the Gaming Hall of Fame.

"To its credit, the gaming industry is constantly innovating to provide a richer experience for our customers, and it is visionaries like Sheldon, Charlie and the Blue Man Group that continue to drive the industry forward. Their contributions are truly one-of-a-kind, and we are thrilled to add them to the illustrious roster of legends in the Gaming Hall of Fame," AGA President and CEO Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. said in statement.

The 23rd awards dinner will be held Nov. 1 at the Venetian.

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