People to Watch 2024
Our annual list of those who demonstrate excellence in all gaming disciplines
Welcome to the 22nd edition of this popular feature recognizing the industry ’ s best — the executives likely to make a lasting impact on the industry during the coming year and beyond .
“ We have chosen a great group of people for our 2024 Class ,” says GGB Publisher Roger Gros . “ They have all already made an impact on the gaming world , and we focus on them in this feature because that impact has only just begun in most cases .”
Once an individual is named a member of the prestigious People to Watch class , he or she cannot be considered again . PTW alumni include Peter Carlino , Linda Chen , Gavin Isaacs , Valerie Spicer , Pansy Ho , Dick Haddrill , Mark Macarro , Bobby Baldwin , Bill Paulos , Ron Allen , Bobby Soper , Larry Woolf , Tony Marnell , Jim Allen , Keith Smith , John Acres , Andrew Pascal , John Connelly , Jay Snowden , and many more .
The selections are made by the GGB Editorial Advisory
Board , a collection of some of the most knowledgeable and connected people in the gaming industry . Nominees came from all aspects of the gaming business — land-based and online operators and suppliers , regulators , attorneys , tribal government officials , public officials , academics and more .
GGB ’ s Editorial Advisory Board recognizes that a healthy industry needs to have extraordinary people at every level . Whether it ’ s regulators , tribal leaders , suppliers , operators or others , all elements of the industry have to work hand in hand , and by honoring people from all these fields , we can encourage that to continue .
This year ’ s honorees also reflect the growing diversity of the gaming industry . Women and minorities are truly breaking through in gaming , and their contributions are not only being recognized , but they have become leaders in their fields .
So congratulations to all the honorees in GGB ’ s 25 People to Watch . You are both the present and the future of the gaming industry .
GGB ’ S 25 PEOPLE TO WATCH FOR 2024
Noah Acres • Principal , Acres Manufacturing Maureen Adams • Executive Vice President Gaming Operations , Churchill Downs Inc . Kelcey Allison • Global COO , Aruze Gaming Global Brett Abarbanel • Executive Director , UNLV IGI Brian Blake • Vice President , Global Head of Diversity , Equity and Inclusion , IGT Julia Boguslawski • Chief Marketing Officer , AGS Mike Brennan • Chief Product Officer , Bluberi Dona Cassese • Vice President Marketing , Everi Holdings Robbie Cooke • Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer , Star Entertainment Ed Evans • Director of Diversity , Equity and Inclusion , Cordish Gaming Group Shawn Fluharty • President , National Council of Legislators from Gaming States ( NCLGS ) Katie Gehrke • Marketing and Communications Manager , JCM Global Jeannie Hovland • Vice Chair , NIGC Christopher Justice • President & CEO , Pavilion Payments Danielle Kristensen • Vice President of Technology , Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures / Grand Casinos Kim Barker Lee • Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer , Bally ’ s Corp . Kara Matthew • COO , BMM Innovation Group Eileen O ’ Brien • Member , Massachusetts Gaming Commission Tom O ’ Brien • President , Americas and EMEA , Aristocrat Gaming Niklas Rytterstrom • President , Borgata Hotel Casino Greg Sarris • Tribal Chairman , Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria James Silva • Vice Chairman , Morongo Band of Mission Indians ; Chairman , California Nations Indian Gaming Association Jeffrey Soffer • CEO and Chairman , Fontainebleau Development Max Tappeiner • EVP Operations , Wynn Resorts Mor Weizer • CEO , Playtech PLC
20 Global Gaming Business JANUARY 2024