Alter Chairman Goldstein Honored

Bernard Goldstein, chairman of the Iowa-based Alter Companies, has been honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award by his alma mater, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Law.

In addition to his role as chairman of the Alter Companies, which includes scrap company Alter Trading Corp., St. Louis, and transportation company Alter Barge, Goldstein is the founder, CEO and chairman of Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., Biloxi, Miss.

Goldstein, who graduated from the university in 1951 with a juris doctorate, received the award at the university’s homecoming and reception dinner.

He joined the Alter Companies in 1950 and served as secretary/ treasurer until 1964, when he was elected executive vice president. He became president in 1973 and chairman in 1980. His son Robert currently serves as CEO of Alter Trading Corp.

Often referred to as the “Father of Riverboat Gaming,” Bernard Goldstein was awarded the American Gaming Association’s “Top Performing CEO of the Year” honor in 2001.

He was active in the development of the industry in a number of states and was instrumental in lobbying for the original legislation for riverboat gaming in Iowa.

He got his start in gaming as chairman of the board of the Steamboat Companies, which operated the Diamond Lady and Emerald Lady casino riverboats starting in April of 1991. He also served as chairman of the board and president of Casino Cruises Inc., which managed the gaming operations of the Par-A-Dice Riverboat Casino in Peoria, Ill., through March of 1993.