The Gaming Menu

Jonathan Smith enjoys cooking. No, he’s passionate about cooking—so much so he enrolled in culinary school at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, determined to be a chef.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the kitchen. While waiting to meet with his adviser days before classes began, he read that UNLV was inaugurating its first degree program in casino management. That degree fascinated him even more than culinary arts.

“I decided to do a 180 and change my major from culinary arts to gaming, as this degree sounded very appealing to me. I was actually the first student to enroll into this major,” Smith says.

He graduated in 2008, and even got to take a few food and beverage classes as part of the program.

Since then, Smith has worked in a variety of analytical roles for Bally Technologies, Wynn Resorts, and Las Vegas Sands. For the past 10 years, he’s been with IGT, and has served as senior director of sales strategy since 2022. Smith also is responsible for historical horse racing product management.

“I drive IGT’s global sales commission and incentive programs, as well as the implementation of strategic initiatives that help the organization achieve its annual growth targets. In product management, I manage the content roadmap, go-to-market strategies, and business development efforts for the company’s historical horse racing segment,” says Smith, who relaxes with family, travels and plays soccer in adult rec leagues.

Under his watch, IGT deployed the first historical horse racing machines outside the U.S. in Malta.

Growing up just outside of Philadelphia in Yardley, Pennsylvania, Smith obtained a master’s degree through Drexel University’s program with a concentration in casino management.

“Since joining IGT, I have been elevated into more senior roles, and taken on additional responsibility,” says Smith, who resided in Las Vegas for 18 years but returned to suburban Philadelphia to be closer to family in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. He works on a remote basis, coupled with frequent trips back to Las Vegas, and hasn’t ruled out an eventual return to Nevada.

Smith has depended on mentors as his career has progressed, and in fact has mentored others. Ken Davenport worked at the Venetian and Palazzo as vice president of casino operations.

“Ken was always good to talk to on the industry, life, career aspirations,” Smith says. “Dan Marcus would be another individual that I have had the privilege of working with, and for, on a few occasions now, starting off at Bally Technologies, then Rainmaker Group and lastly at IGT. Dan is a good friend, and I always look to him for his guidance. Ken Bossingham, whom I have had the privilege of working for over the last eight years, put his trust in me with what I am responsible for at IGT.”

Smith expects to continue his journey inside the gaming industry, being an asset as he advances through the ranks. “I believe the casino industry will continue to grow, which will create opportunities for those who want to enter a career in this industry.”

And he still knows his way around a kitchen. “I do love cooking, but gaming is where I was meant to be.”