Since joining The Innovation Group in 1997, Thomas Zitt, Ph.D., has developed a level of expertise in high-level strategic planning and market feasibility analysis that has earned his reports a reputation for accuracy and perceptiveness throughout the gaming, leisure and hospitality industries. Dr. Zitt provides a depth of analysis that provides developers and government bodies with the peace of mind of knowing their decisions are being made on sound economic foundations, and the accuracy, methodological soundness, and comprehensiveness of his expert witness reports have been critical in his clients' success in a number of legal proceedings.

Dr. Zitt conducted the statewide gravity model analysis used by Pennsylvania legislators to assist in structuring history-making racino legislation. Consulting for the Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee, he provided an assessment of gaming revenue potential under a number of defined and open-market scenarios, with the goal of maximizing state tax revenues within politically defined parameters.

Additional statewide gravity models include California, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. Together with individual leisure assessments in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin, Dr. Zitt has extensive experience throughout the United States.

His work for investment firms includes a state-by-state racino assessment published by CIBC World Markets and the Native American section in the (former) Bear Stearns North American Gaming Almanac. For Deutsche Bank, he completed a market assessment by region for California that included a statewide telephone survey and an assessment of the impact on Nevada gaming revenues. In addition, he has tracked the Atlantic City market since 2000 when he performed impact assessments for Deutsche Bank and Bear Stearns regarding potential gaming development in New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

His international experience includes feasibility studies for leisure developments in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Macau, Mongolia, the Philippines, and South Korea.

In addition, Dr. Zitt has assessed the social and fiscal impacts of gaming development for numerous potential jurisdictions, including Sullivan County, New York, Monroe, Ohio, Boston, Massachusetts and London, England. He has also advised the National Council of Legislators of Gaming States as to the fiscal impacts felt at the state and local level from gaming development. Dr. Zitt received his doctorate in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University.

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