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AGA Announces Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2025

The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced the 2025 inductees into the Gaming Hall of Fame, recognizing three individuals whose careers have profoundly shaped the legal gaming industry:
• David Berman, Co-Head of Macquarie Capital, Americas and Global Head of Consumer, Gaming & Leisure
• Ann Simmons Nicholson, Founder and CEO, Simmons Group
• Charles Lombardo, Former Senior Vice President of Gaming Operations at Seminole Hard Rock Gaming, and former Senior Vice President of Slot Operations for Caesars Palace, Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas.
“The Gaming Hall of Fame honors the visionaries who’ve shaped today’s gaming industry. David, Ann, and Charlie have each made lasting contributions to the growth, integrity, and leadership of legal gaming, and we’re proud to recognize their impact,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller.
“This year’s inductees reflect the strength, diversity, and expertise that define our industry. The Gaming Hall of Fame honors leaders whose careers exemplify excellence and enduring influence – and these three couldn’t be more deserving of this recognition,” said AGA Chairman Mike Rumbolz (Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2022).
Since 1989, the Gaming Hall of Fame has celebrated the achievements of industry legends who have driven the commercial and tribal gaming industry forward. The Class of 2025 will be formally inducted at an invitation-only ceremony during the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas this October.
This year’s selection committee members include:
• Mike Palm, VP, Operations, Circa Resorts
• Anika Howard, CEO, Wondr Nation
• Ryan Comstock, COO, Ainsworth and Chair, AGEM
• Debi Nutton, Industry Consultant and Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2024
• Mark Lipparelli, Chairman Emeritus, International Center for Responsible Gaming
• Kirsten Clark, Executive Director, IAGA
• Lauren Bates, VP, Sales, Light & Wonder and Chair, Global Gaming Women
• Brett Abarbanel, Executive Director, UNLV International Gaming Institute
• Mike Rumbolz, Chairman, AGA
About the 2025 Inductees
David Berman, Co-Head of Macquarie Capital, Americas and Global Head of Consumer, Gaming & Leisure
David Berman has more than three decades of experience in gaming mergers & acquisitions and capital markets, having led more than 100 mergers & acquisitions worth more than $125 billion and helped clients raise more than $215 billion in debt and equity. He founded REGAL Capital Advisors, a gaming-focused advisory firm acquired by Macquarie in 2011, and previously held senior roles at Credit Suisse, CIBC World Markets, and Oppenheimer & Co. Berman currently serves on the Board of Leaders at USC’s Marshall School of Business and is Treasurer of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation.
Ann Simmons Nicholson, CEO and founder of Simmons Group
Ann Simmons Nicholson is an expert in strategic planning and organizational consulting. Over her 40-year career, she has worked with nearly every major gaming company, supporting more than 60 property openings, expansions, and acquisitions. Her expertise spans human capital strategy, leadership development, organizational culture, and executive coaching, and her firm has provided training to more than 27,000 gaming professionals globally. A dedicated community leader and advocate, she has served on board including United Way of Southern Nevada, Global Gaming Women, and Noah’s Animal House.
Charles Lombardo, Former Senior Vice President of Gaming Operations at Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International, and former Senior Vice President of Slot Operations for Caesars Palace, Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas
With more than 50 years of experience in slot operations and game innovation, Charles Lombardo has helped define the modern casino experience. He has held senior leadership roles at Caesars Palace, Bally’s, Paris Las Vegas, and Seminole Gaming, where he led the development of Class II and III gaming standards, pioneered groundbreaking slot technologies, and helped shape state and tribal regulatory frameworks. Today, he continues to consult on game development and casino openings and serves as a special gaming advisor to Seminole Gaming. Lombardo was the first-ever inductee into the Eilers Hall of Fame for Slot Operations.
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Goldex Casino by N1 Partners: a new brand tailored for top GEOs

N1 Partners continues to strengthen its position in the iGaming market by expanding its portfolio with the launch of a new brand — Goldex Casino.
Goldex Casino is strategically focused on key Tier-1 GEOs, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Ireland, Denmark, and Slovenia. The product supports eight languages with localised content, ensuring broad reach and engagement.
Goldex Casino features a portfolio of over 5,000 games, while its unique Journey Map system transforms gameplay into a personalised adventure with rewards of up to €/$5,000 and 1,000 free spins. VIP players benefit from an exclusive program offering tailored bonuses, higher limits, dedicated account management, and a final prize — a Rolex Sky-Dweller or its cash equivalent of €20,000.
Special attention has been paid to adaptive design across devices, an intuitive interface, and a suite of features that enhance the user experience and drive player retention. Fully licensed, the brand guarantees a high level of transaction security.
With Goldex Casino, partners gain a robust tool to scale traffic across top GEOs and secure long-term profitability. Join N1 Partners and achieve top-tier results together.
On a related note, N1 Partners is currently running its large-scale N1 Puzzle Promo. All registered teams earn puzzle pieces for driving traffic to N1 brands, including Goldex Casino, with the most active participants competing for luxury prizes. The ultimate reward – a private Robinson helicopter, awarded to the winning team at the end of the promo. The campaign runs until the end of the year.
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FINAL NINE PLAYERS SET FOR THE 2025 WORLD SERIES OF POKER® MAIN EVENT® FINAL TABLE

Out of 9,735 total entrants in the third-largest World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event in history, only nine players remain as the lineup is set for the 56th annual WSOP Main Event final table.
John Wasnock, Michael Mizrachi, Braxton Dunaway, Kenny Hallaert, Leonor Margets, Luka Bojovic, Adam Hendrix, Daehyung Lee, and Jarod Minghini will return to the Horseshoe and Paris in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Tuesday, July 15, with each player eyeing not only the $10 million top prize and WSOP Main Event bracelet, but a chance at forever solidifying their names in poker history. Duking it out over eight days of poker action, the resilience of the nine remaining players has earned them a seat at poker’s most prestigious final table.
Action at the 2025 WSOP Main Event final table will begin at 1:30 P.M. local time and will play down to four players, with the final day of the tournament set for Wednesday, July 16, starting at 1:30 P.M. local time.
A historic WSOP Main Event final table that includes not only a four-time Poker Players Championship winner but also the first woman since 1995, poker fans around the world look forward to a highly anticipated conclusion to the 2025 WSOP Main Event.
2025 WSOP Main Event Final Table Chip Counts:
John Wasnock (North Bend, Washington, United States) – 108,100,000 Chips
John Wasnock, 50, is a poker player from North Bend, Washington who will be proudly representing the Evergreen state at the WSOP Main Event final table as the overall chip leader. Owning over $143 thousand in live tournament earnings, Wasnock’s largest career cash of $56,330 has been far surpassed with his performance in the Main Event.
Michael Mizrachi (Las Vegas, Nevada, United States) – 93,000,000 Chips
Michael Mizrachi, 44, is the most decorated poker player to reach the 2025 WSOP Main Event final table. A seven-time WSOP bracelet winner, Mizrachi has already had a historic summer, winning his record fourth Poker Players Championship title. On the cusp of adding a WSOP Main Event title to his already long list of poker accolades, taking down the 2025 WSOP Main Event would add $10 million to Mizrachi’s already impressive live tournament earnings total of just over $19 million.
Braxton Dunaway (Midland, Texas, United States) – 91,900,000 Chips
Braxton Dunaway, 42, lives in Midland, Texas, and is a family man who makes his living in the oil and gas industry. Already having a WSOP bracelet to his name, Dunaway won the $1,500 Monster Stack for $1,162,681 during the 2023 WSOP. Dunaway’s $1.5 million in live tournament earnings could increase tenfold by winning the $10 million top prize in the 2025 WSOP Main Event.
Kenny Hallaert (London, England, United Kingdom) – 80,500,000 Chips
Kenny Hallaert, 43, is a Belgian professional poker player residing in London, England. No stranger to success on the felt, Hallaert has racked up a number of poker tournament titles across poker tournament series around Europe, contributing to $5.9 million in live tournament winnings across his career. Still seeking his first career WSOP bracelet, Hallaert’s first title won in the United States could be the biggest one of them all.
Leonor Margets (Barcelona, Spain) – 53,400,000 Chips
Leonor “Leo” Margets, 41, is not only the last woman standing in the 2025 WSOP Main Event but is also the first woman to reach the WSOP Main Event final table since 1995. Hailing from Barcelona, Spain, Margets is not new to success at the WSOP, having won her lone bracelet in the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Closer for $376,850 in 2021. With over $2 million in live tournament winnings, Margets looks to not only add $10 million to her career total but also become the first woman to ever win the WSOP Main Event.
Luka Bojovic (Vienna, Austria) – 51,000,000 Chips
Luka Bojovic, 37, is a Serbian doctor and poker player residing in Vienna, Austria. A member of the Pokercode collective, Bojovic’s largest career score of $134,617 came from his eighth place finish in the 2024 WSOP Europe Main Event, contributing to his live tournament career winnings total of over $700 thousand. Winning his lone piece of WSOP hardware by taking down the Monster Stack event at the 2024 WSOP International Circuit series in Marrakech ($45,600), Bojovic is in contention to win the most prestigious poker trophy of them all
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Black Bear and Fond Du Luth Casinos Select QCI Enterprise Platform

Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) and Black Bear and Fond Du Luth Casinos announced their strategic partnership that is set to transform the gaming and hospitality landscape in the Minnesota market. This dynamic collaboration represents an exciting fusion of advanced technology and exceptional guest experiences, with Black Bear and Fond Du Luth Casinos leading the charge. By leveraging QCI’s cutting-edge data analytics platform, the partnership aims to redefine how casinos operate, providing unparalleled insights into player behavior, enhancing operational efficiency, and delivering personalized guest experiences like never before. This bold move positions Black Bear and Fond Du Luth Casinos at the forefront of innovation, setting a new standard in how technology can drive the future of gaming and hospitality.
This partnership marks the beginning of a new era, where the seamless integration of artificial intelligence, data-driven decision-making, and world-class service will create an unmatched environment for entertainment and hospitality in the region.
Morgan Fritzinger, Director of Marketing for the Black Bear and Fond Du Luth Casinos, said: “We are excited to embark on this transformative journey with QCI. The QCI platform is truly a game-changer for our host and marketing departments, and we’re confident it will not only optimize our operations but also enhance the quality of service and entertainment we provide to our valued guests. With QCI’s innovative solutions, we’re poised to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience in the Minnesota market. This partnership perfectly aligns with our commitment to excellence and innovation.”
Dr. Ralph Thomas, CEO of QCI, said: “We place immense value on partnerships that are built on mutual respect, a shared vision, and a strong commitment to innovation. Our collaboration with Black Bear and Fond Du Luth Casinos exemplifies this kind of relationship. From the very beginning, we have been deeply impressed by the Black Bear and Fond Du Luth Casinos team’s dedication, their passion for excellence, and their relentless focus on delivering extraordinary guest experiences. I am incredibly proud of what we have already achieved together and even more excited for the future. This partnership represents a unique opportunity to set new benchmarks in the Minnesota market, and I am confident that together, we will redefine what’s possible in the gaming and hospitality industry.”
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