While the process of recovery for the gaming industry seems to have begun, it’s a long way from being accomplished. In the ninth annual Global Gaming Business 25 People to Watch, our editorial board highlights a group of individuals who will make a difference in the gaming industry. These people are the best and the brightest. Some will be instantly recognizable. Others may be unknown, but not for long. As always, the 25 People are an eclectic group, covering all gaming disciplines, jurisdictions and activities. Starting with Las Vegas Sands President and COO Michael Leven, the choices for our advisory board were many and varied. Maybe that’s the reason we exceeded our 25 people by a couple because we found that there were so many influential individuals who we feel will make a difference in 2011 and beyond that they could not be left out. So sit back and check out who will play a role in the recovery, comeback and turnaround of the gaming industry during the next year. (Go to homepage to see our 25 People to Watch)

By Roger Gros

Roger Gros is publisher of Casino Connection International, LLC. Global Gaming Business magazine, Casino Connection Atlantic City and Casino Connection Nevada are among the monthly publications Gros publishes. Prior to joining CCI, Gros was president of Inlet Communications, an independent consulting firm. He was vice president of Casino Journal Publishing Group from 1984-2000, and held virtually every editorial title during his tenure. Gros was editor of Casino Journal, the National Gaming Summary and the Atlantic City Insider, and was the founding editor of Casino Player magazine. He was a co-founder of the American Gaming Summit and the Southern Gaming Summit conferences and trade shows. He is the author of the best-selling book, How to Win at Casino Gambling (Carlton Books, 1995), now in its third edition. Gros was named “Businessman of the Year” for 1998 by the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce.