The Next Generation
Every year, The Innovation Group and Global Gaming Business magazine recognize a new class in the Emerging Leaders of Gaming/40 Under 40 program, which celebrates professionals under the age of 40 who are already making a significant impact on the casino industry. The group was recognized in a celebration October 6 in the Networking Lounge at Global Gaming Expo 2025.
As usual, our recognition goes to a diverse group of professionals who have mastered a variety of disciplines in gaming, and who are already providing an example of excellence in the gaming industry to those who will follow in coming years. Our Selection Committee sifted through more than 250 nominations before arriving at 40 examples of the best in gaming.
The committee was made up of the following respected gaming leaders:
- Pam Buckley, Executive Vice President, Global Gaming Women
- Tommaso Di Chio, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Bragg Gaming Group
- Daron Dorsey, President & CEO, Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers
- Jason Giles, Executive Director, Indian Gaming Association
- Cristina Romero de Alba, Partner, LOYRA Abogados
- Michael Soll, President, International Center for Responsible Gaming
- Yahaya Maikori, Partner, Law Allianz
“This year’s record-breaking 250-plus nominations reflect the program’s growing recognition and influence,” said Brian Wyman, president & CEO of The Innovation Group. “Year after year, ELG/40 Under 40 underscores the importance of mentorship and recognition in advancing the next generation of leaders. Past honorees hold C-suite positions across top industry operators and suppliers, lead regulatory agencies and are among gaming’s foremost thought leaders. I expect nothing less from this impressive class.”
This month, GGB features 10 profiles of the selected honorees. Each month, three additional profiles will be published through the September 2026 issue of GGB. Nominations for the 2027 class of Emerging Leaders of Gaming/40 Under 40 will open in April. Check GGBmagazine.com for details.
Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40, Class of 20296
Ariel Adler, Vice President, Strategy, Business Development and Licensing, Light & Wonder
Ajoke Ajibola, Marketing Manager, Retail, Winners Golden Group
Olabimpe Akingba, Regional Manager, Africa, pawaTech Limited
KJ Amin, Chief of Staff, MGM Resorts International
Tony Amormino, Chief Executive Officer, Apache Nugget Corporation
Angelika Antonova, Head of Sales, Affilka by SOFTSWISS
Jason Ayton, Senior Vice President, OpenBet
Thomas Berman, Director of CRM and Player Engagement, Casino & Sportsbook-North America, Bally’s Interactive
Kelci Binau, Attorney at Law, McDonald Carano LLP
Jen Bryson, Vice President of Marketing, Hollywood Casino Columbus
Zak Cutler, President, Global Gaming, Paysafe
Peter Czoch, Statistician, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
Mike de Graaff, Co-Founder & Chief Compliance Officer, BetComply
John Debono, Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, Elantil
Elmer Espiritu, Director of Technical Compliance, Sega Sammy Creation USA, Inc.
Eric Flores, Chief Operations Officer, Trilogy Group/Trilogy Digital
Brant Frazee, Vice President of Online Game Development, AGS
Brooke Hilton, Head of Casino, PointsBet Canada
Kalyn Johnson, IIDA, NCIDQ, Lead Interior Designer, HBG Design
Stephen Kenney, VIP Services Director, Potawatomi Casinos & Hotels
Steve Lang, Vice President, Business Development, DraftKings
Hector Langa, Head of Business Development, TaDa Gaming
Tashina Lazcano, Senior Director, Marketing & Communications, Konami Gaming, Inc.
Tom Light, Chief Executive Officer, FIRST-Best in Sports
Jessica Maier, Co-Founder and Director, Executive Gaming and Risk Advisory Limited
David Mann, Chief Executive Officer, Swintt
May Mgbolu, Senior Economic and Fiscal Policy Advisor, Arizona Lottery and Governor’s Office
Omotola Oronti, Marketing Manager, Bet9ja
Nicole Porpiglia, Managing Director, KPMG
Maria Romero de Alba, International iGaming Leader, BMM Testlabs
Zachary Salem, Vice President of iGaming, Rush Street Interactive
Alex Smith, Senior Vice President, Legal & Regulatory, Fanatics Betting & Gaming
Daniel Stafrace, Head of Cybersecurity & IT, GameLounge
Seni Thomas, CEO & Founder, EDGE Markets Inc., dba EDGE Boost
Nana Totoe, Chief Operating Officer, SportingTech
Max Trafimovich, Chief Commercial Officer, SOFTSWISS
Alex Walsh, Chief Financial Officer, Aristocrat Gaming
Marissa Wheeler, Senior Director of Regulatory Compliance, IGT
David Williams, Partner, Discerning Capital
Shannon Wright, Vice President of Operations, Caesars Entertainment
