People to Watch 2024
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.
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
