Penn Jillette to keynote opening session of 2011 G2E

I’m not sure what magician and comedian Penn Jillette can tell an audience of gaming industry executives about slot machines, but he’ll at least be entertaining.

The Las Vegas headliner and the taller, vocal half of the “Penn & Teller” duo has been announced as the keynote speaker for the opening session of the 2011 Global Gaming Expo, scheduled for Oct. 4-6 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center.

Jillette not only performs nightly at the Rio with the silent Teller, he has been an author and political activist. He is a visiting scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has lectured at Oxford University and the Smithsonian Institution. Jillette also was the co-recipient of the Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award in 2001.

“As one of Las Vegas’ most sought-after entertainers, Penn is sure to deliver a fun and exciting performance for all G2E attendees,” said American Gaming Association President Frank Fahrenkopf, Jr.