Challenge Accepted

The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The organization is one of the most important in the industry, representing the voice of gaming suppliers from slot makers and system providers to table games producers and legal and compliance services and much more.

In his 13-year tenure with Ainsworth Game Technology, Ryan Comstock rose through the ranks to become the company’s chief operating officer. He was elected chairman of AGEM in March due to his experience with the organization and his expertise in the industry.

P3: You’ve been chairman of AGEM since March. What has surprised you about the organization that you maybe didn’t realize before your election? 

Comstock: I have been involved with AGEM for many years. I previously served as treasurer and was an officer of AGEM prior to that, so I felt like there was a strong foundation leading up to my current role. However, there were a couple of pleasant surprises. 

One, serving on the selection committee for the American Gaming Association 2025 Gaming Hall of Fame. It was such an honor to see all the nominees and read about all the amazing accomplishments from those that have shaped our industry.

Two, serving on the G2E steering committee has opened my eyes to the vast amount of collaboration that occurs behind the scenes among the various stakeholders within our industry.

What will AGEM’s role be at the upcoming G2E? Are your members looking forward to it?

AGEM will be highly engaged at G2E, supporting our members and showcasing the strength of the supplier sector. With many global members in attendance, it’s a prime opportunity for connection and collaboration. We’re proud to sponsor the AGA Chairman’s Reception and present the AGEM Awards, celebrating individuals who’ve made a lasting impact on gaming.

The past year has been a busy time for AGEM. Give us a thumbnail of what the organization has accomplished during that time.

Over the past year, there have been lots of exciting changes, both internally and externally, at AGEM. 

Internally, we have restructured AGEM to formally have a CEO and board of directors compared to the previous structure with an executive director and officers. This better aligns us with other trade organizations and provides a strong foundation to efficiently serve our members. 

We also added an additional seat on the board of directors to make sure the board composition is representative of our diverse membership from large public companies to smaller private and public companies.

Externally, there’s been a large focus on advocacy with regulatory bodies and increased collaboration with other trade groups. As an example, our CEO Daron Dorsey now sits on the ICRG (International Center for Responsible Gaming) board of directors, is on the board advisory council of the Gaming Standards Association, and is on the advisory board of the International Gaming Institute at UNLV while strengthening our relationships with industry trade associations includeing the AGA, the European Casino Association, the Canadian Gaming Association and the Gaming Technologies Association, among many others. These steps will allow us to better align our member priorities with other leading trade organizations.

What are the membership numbers now? Has your international membership grown recently?

Membership has remained stable at 140-150 companies, balancing new additions with industry consolidation. We’re proud of the diverse mix of domestic and international members, and continue to explore opportunities for strategic growth.

AGEM membership is now more varied than ever before, with sports betting companies, tech companies, legal outlets and more. Do you think AGEM will continue to grow beyond just the companies?

Continued growth is possible and something we focus on as new markets emerge, but the core focus is on members that are committed to operating within the regulated and authorized markets.

AGEM members are fiercely competitive in their various fields, yet come together at AGEM meetings with a unity you rarely find in this kind of environment. How does that happen and why?

Despite fierce competition, AGEM members unite around a shared mission to advance the supplier sector. Our four-pillar framework—Responsible Gaming, Charitable Support, Strategic Initiatives and Administrative Operations—guides our efforts and ensures we focus on initiatives that benefit the entire industry.

AGEM has great relationships with regulators and even legislators. Why is that such an important part of the role of AGEM?

Strong relationships with regulators and legislators are essential to ensure smooth compliance with complex licensing and operational requirements. These relationships help us keep our member companies ahead of evolving regulations. By engaging proactively with lawmakers, AGEM can influence the development of fair and balanced policies that support innovation while protecting consumers—ultimately shaping a more favorable and sustainable business environment.

Earlier this year, AGEM released its economic impact study. Tell us a little about the findings, how it was compiled and what it means for the industry.

Most people think of the casinos when you talk about gaming. The impact study is important to show the supplier side is a larger part of the industry than people might think. The tens of thousands of jobs created by the supplier side and economic impact of our member companies is significant. The study is compiled through publicly available information and confidential surveys to member companies.

Obviously, suppliers are very interested in gaming expansion around the world. How are you keeping your members informed?

This is a standing topic at our monthly member meetings, and there are several different avenues we use to gather information. Conversations and relationships with other trade organizations, information provided by member companies, and depending on the stage of development, we could have boots on the ground. 

Tracy Cohen, our director of Europe, is a great example of us having an AGEM representative living in Europe with her finger on the pulse of new and changing developments within the European market. We also have law firms around the world that are members and have been utilized to provide updates from within various markets.

Let’s talk about responsible gaming and Responsible Gaming Education Month in September. AGEM’s Connie Jones leads that effort. Why is this a big initiative for AGEM? How has she contributed to the conversation on responsible gaming?

Responsible gaming is a cornerstone of AGEM’s mission, and Connie Jones has been a driving force in this area for decades. Her representation at RG conferences and her monthly reports provide critical insights, helping our members stay informed and aligned with global best practices. Her leadership ensures AGEM remains a respected voice in the RG conversation.

Tell us about the Peter Mead and Jens Halle Awards this year. When will you announce the honorees? When and where will the awards take place?

We’re very proud of the Peter Mead and Jens Halle Memorial Awards and always look forward to presenting them at G2E. This year, the awards will be held on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Networking Lounge.

The Jens Halle Memorial Award for Excellence in Commercial Gaming Professionalism will be presented to Eric Fisher, whose distinguished career spans marketing and casino management roles at Mirage and Desert Inn, and leadership positions on the supplier side at Mikohn, MEI and CPI (Crane Payment Innovations). Eric also served as an AGEM officer, including as treasurer. On a personal note, Eric was a mentor to me when I first joined AGEM leadership—his guidance and kindness made a lasting impact, and I’m thrilled to see him honored.

The Peter Mead Memorial Award for Excellence in Gaming Media & Communications will be awarded to Rick Velotta of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Rick has covered the gaming industry, tourism, transportation and aviation for over 25 years. His deep knowledge and consistent reporting have made him a trusted voice in our industry. Prior to his time at the RJ, Rick was a business reporter and editor at the Las Vegas Sun.

What are your goals for AGEM during your term as chairman?

It’s a true honor to serve as chairman and follow in the footsteps of so many respected leaders in our industry. My goals during this term include:

• Continuing our focus on AGEM’s four pillars—Responsible Gaming, Charitable Support, Strategic Initiatives and Administrative Operations.

• Ensuring our organizational structure supports our global membership. As the industry evolves and member companies expand into new markets through organic growth and acquisitions, AGEM must be positioned to support them—both domestically and internationally.

• Strengthening our revenue base. As a nonprofit, every dollar we generate goes directly toward supporting our pillars. With growing global engagement and emerging markets, our initiatives are becoming more complex and resource-intensive. Ensuring financial sustainability is key to continuing our impact.