iGaming Business magazine iGB 111 July/Aug | Page 85

Feature
Jan Jones Blackhurst,
EVP public policy and
corporate responsibility, Caesars
Not only has Blackhurst been leading change from inside Caesars
since the launch of Caesars Interactive in 1999, she was Las Vegas’
first female mayor. Her achievements to date include increasing
the diversity of Caesar’s workforce so that 41% of management
positions are held by women and 57% of employees are from
diverse backgrounds. Caesars Entertainment has earned a 100%
perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality
Index for 10 consecutive years under Blackhurst’s watchful eye.
Blackhurst continues to advocate for equality and responsible
gambling initiatives across the industry, with her work setting a
high benchmark in corporate social responsibility. “I see my role as
eliminating barriers,” she says, “whether through helping younger
colleagues find their career path, supporting access to education,
or ensuring every guest feels welcome. For me, my job is all about
people.” She is a true believer that Caesars, and any other business,
will only meet its potential by harnessing the breadth of experience
offered by a truly diverse workface. “Anyone who thinks going into
the next millennium that we can manage these large businesses
without a diversity, equity and inclusion strategy in place is missing
the opportunity to really be successful,” she explains. Asked for
some words of wisdom for other women aspiring to success in the
industry she said: “My advice, which I’d offer equally to both men
and women, is to remember that ultimately leadership is about
three things. One, take risks – do not be afraid to use your voice,
even if there’s a consequence, because often the issue is more
important than the outcome. Two, build consensus and align
common interests. And three, it’s about inspiration. If you
really believe in something and are passionate
about it, you can instil that enthusiasm
into your organisation and
your colleagues.”
Tracy Damestani,
CEO, National Casino Forum
As chief executive of the National Casino Forum (NCF), a
trade association for land-based casinos in the UK, Damestani
is a slight departure from our core igaming remit. However,
she claims her place on this year’s most influential list by
virtue of her vociferous support of the diversity and inclusion
agenda and her work with the Industry Group for Responsible
Gambling. Damestini has been in gambling since 2004 when
she joined the NCF as a project manager from HSBC. She has
been chief executive of the organisation since 2009. Following
controversy over the representation of women in the industry
earlier this year, Damestani told The Guardian the best way
to challenge stereotypes and change perceptions would be to
bring more women into senior positions. Her reaction followed
the NCF’s 2017 initiative to encourage casino operators to bring
more women into the boardroom. “I know many operators
are keen to encourage women onto their boards,” she said,
talking about the project last year. “I hope that the workshops
I am devising with the Portas Institute will be the catalyst for
change. I’d love to see the casino sector in the vanguard of
reform within the gaming industry, setting an example that
others follow.” Damestani has expressed a keen desire to see
“women spearheading change” in the industry and, while her
focus in on land-based businesses, the precedent has obvious
repercussions across the online world. “We don’t want to look
like an all-male industry at a senior level, nor do we want
to confine women to ‘soft’ roles, such as HR and marketing.
Women are leading in prominent roles across the private and
public sectors and we should lead the way for our industry,” she
said last year. We couldn’t agree more
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