Strategic Curiosity, Community Impact
May Mgbolu Chief of Staff, Arizona Lottery and Special Gaming Advisor
May Mgbolu didn’t set out to build a career in gaming. But a path through regulation, taxation and public policy ultimately led her to a dual role at the intersection of lottery operations, gaming policy and state government.
Today, Mgbolu serves as chief of staff at the Arizona Lottery and special gaming advisor to the Arizona Governor’s Office, reflecting the breadth of experience behind her recognition as one of this year’s Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 honorees.
Raised in Tucson, Arizona, Mgbolu earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and a master’s from Arizona State University. Her early work in criminal justice and public policy gave her a foundation in regulation, community impact and the role public revenue can play in supporting long-term priorities. She later shifted her focus toward economics, taxation and state budgeting, building expertise that would become central to her work in gaming policy.
That work took a new direction when Governor Katie Hobbs appointed Mgbolu as her senior policy advisor. In this role, she manages a portfolio of economic and revenue-generating agencies, including the Arizona Department of Gaming and the Arizona Lottery. Though gaming itself was a new sector for her at the time of appointment, the financial dynamics were familiar.
“I may have been new to gaming, but I understood revenue—state revenue, the importance of that, the multifaceted nature of gaming policy,” she says. “I knew exactly how critical a role gaming revenue played in sustaining the state’s budget.”
Mgbolu quickly came to appreciate the deep complexities of an industry shaped by decades of delicate negotiations and legal evolution. She views gaming not merely as a commercial market but a rapidly evolving landscape where digital innovation must be carefully balanced against regulatory frameworks. For her, success in this space requires a critical alignment where forward-looking revenue models and strict compliance work in tandem to protect consumers, preserve regulatory integrity and maximize long-term community investment.
“Gaming is fast-paced and multifaceted. You’re getting community, economics and a cultural element,” explains Mgbolu. For her, any discussion of gaming must recognize its history and the continued role tribal gaming plays in supporting revenue and investment across Arizona communities.
Much of Mgbolu’s approach has been shaped by mentors who encouraged what she calls “strategic curiosity.” Former legislator David Lujan taught her to think broadly and bring stakeholders into difficult conversations early and often. Meanwhile, industry leaders and mentors like Jackie Johnson, Jim Stipe, Steve Hart, Alec Thomson and many other partners helped deepen her understanding of Arizona’s evolving gaming economy, and guide her through the intricacies of tribal-state compacts, regulatory compliance and the delicate balance between market growth and community impact.
Mgbolu has transitioned to chief of staff at the Arizona Lottery while continuing to advise on gaming policy, giving her a wider view of tribal gaming, horse racing, lottery operations, sports betting and public revenue. As technology continues to change the industry, she believes gaming leaders must be prepared for increasingly complex questions around artificial intelligence, mobile platforms, regulation, legality and the player experience. Her approach is to educate decision-makers early and bring different perspectives together before policy choices are made.
“Bring everyone to the table, but don’t expect perfect alignment,” she says. “The true test of leadership is how you create the opportunity for absolute transparency.”
Being named to the 40 Under 40 list is an honor Mgbolu accepts with humility, particularly because she sees it as a sign of confidence from those who have shaped the industry for decades. Looking ahead, she hopes her work contributes to a legacy of responsible revenue generation, reinvestment and stronger foundations for Arizona communities.
