Latest News
AGA Announces Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2023
Anoatubby, Miodunski, Murren, Whittemore to be Inducted
The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced the Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2023, honoring four leaders for their significant contributions to the industry:
* Bill Anoatubby, Governor, Chickasaw Nation
* Robert Miodunski, Former Chief Executive Officer, American Gaming Systems; Former President and Chief Executive Officer, Alliance Gaming and President, Bally Gaming
* Jim Murren, Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MGM Resorts International
* Ellen Whittemore, Executive Vice-President, General Counsel and Secretary, Wynn Resorts
“This year’s Gaming Hall of Fame class enshrines industry leaders that have positively transformed businesses and communities through their contributions to gaming,” the President and Chief Executive Officer for the AGA, Bill Miller, said. “From leading casino and supplier operations to advancing industry regulation and tribal gaming, Bill, Ellen, Jim and Robert’s far-reaching impacts on gaming are indelible and undoubtedly worthy of inclusion in the Hall of Fame.”
Since 1989, the Gaming Hall of Fame has recognized gaming legends, pioneers and business leaders for their lasting impacts on the industry. The Class of 2023 will be honored during an invitation-only induction ceremony at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas this October.
“The Gaming Hall of Fame honors the diverse ways gaming leaders elevate our industry,” said AGA Chairman of the Board and Hard Rock International Chairman and Seminole Gaming Chief Executive Officer Jim Allen. “This year’s class epitomizes this principle and we look forward to celebrating their accomplishments at G2E 2023.”
Hall of Fame honorees are selected by an independent panel of gaming executives. This year’s selection committee members include:
* Brett Abarbanel, Executive Director, International Gaming Institute, UNLV
* Jim Allen, Chairman, Hard Rock International, and Chief Executive Officer, Seminole Gaming
* Kirsten Clark, Executive Director, International Association of Gaming Advisors
* John Connelly, Chief Executive Officer, Interblock
* Brian Hansberry, President, Gaming, Delaware North
* Bill Lance, Secretary of State, Chickasaw Nation
* Mark Lipparelli, Chairman, International Center for Responsible Gaming
* Cassie Stratford, Senior Vice-President, Legal Operations and Compliance, Boyd Gaming; President and Chair, Global Gaming Women
* Howard Stutz, Senior Reporter, The Nevada Independent
Bill Anoatubby, Governor, Chickasaw Nation
Anoatubby has served as Governor of the Chickasaw Nation since 1987. Early in his tenure, Anoatubby recognized the important role gaming could play in advancing sustainable economic development and self-determination for the tribe. Since 1987, gaming operations have helped drive the number of Chickasaw Nation employees from 250 to more than 14,000, expanding tribal assets two-hundredfold. As Governor, Anoatubby oversees the tribe’s operation of more than 100 diversified businesses, including 24 tribal gaming locations, generating funding for 200-plus programs and services that benefit education, healthcare, housing and more for Chickasaw families, Oklahomans and their communities. Anoatubby also played an integral role establishing the Indian Gaming Association and Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association as well as negotiating the 2004 Oklahoma gaming compact that solidified the future of tribal gaming in the state. Under Governor Anoatubby’s direction,?the?Chickasaw Nation also places a strong emphasis on preserving and sharing its heritage, history, language and culture.
Robert Miodunski, Former Chief Executive Officer, American Gaming Systems; Former President and Chief Executive Officer, Alliance Gaming and President, Bally Gaming
As President of United Coin Machine Company (a division of publicly-traded Alliance Gaming Corporation) from 1994 to 99, Miodunski built the nation’s largest gaming route operation, totaling more than 8,000 gaming devices. He also led the development and launch of Gamblers Bonus, the first patented cardless player tracking and bonusing system for route operation in Nevada. Promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Gaming and President of Bally Gaming in 1999, he led a team that resurrected the venerable Bally brand to its place as one of the global gaming industry’s top casino suppliers, eventually transforming into Bally Technologies. Miodunski retired in 2004 and then returned to the industry in 2010 to head American Gaming Systems (AGS) as Chief Executive Officer, expanding the company’s footprint in Class II and Class III gaming before AGS was acquired by a private equity firm in 2014. Most recently, Miodunski served as a board member of Golden Entertainment from 2015 to 2021.
Jim Murren, Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MGM Resorts International
Murren is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MGM Resorts International, serving in the role from 2008 to 2020. During his time leading MGM Resorts, Murren guided the company through the wake of the ‘Great Recession’, overhauled the company’s healthcare policy to better serve employees, led technological innovation in gaming and drove increased tourism to Las Vegas. Following his tenure at MGM Resorts International, Murren headed Nevada’s COVID-19 Response, Relief and Recovery Task Force as its gubernatorially-appointed chairman, working closely with local government leaders and the private sector to secure personal protective equipment, establish a robust statewide testing system and ensure Nevada students were provided with the resources to learn remotely. Murren has also been an integral figure in bringing professional sports to Las Vegas, leading the construction of T-Mobile Arena, becoming a founding partner of the Vegas Golden Knights, organizing the purchase and relocation of the Las Vegas Aces and more. He currently serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
Ellen Whittemore, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Wynn Resorts
Whittemore serves as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for Wynn Resorts. In her role, she leads the company’s global legal affairs as well as the entirety of its philanthropic, community relations and government affairs activities. She has been instrumental in Wynn Resorts’ efforts to enhance its workplace culture as well as its corporate ethics and governance and was integral in crafting the company’s global response to the pandemic. Whittemore is also a member of the board of directors of Wynn Macau Limited. Her legal career spans more than 30 years in gaming and hospitality, during which she has represented many of the industry’s largest companies in noteworthy regulatory matters. Before her career in private and corporate practice, Whittemore served in the Nevada Attorney General’s Office, Gaming Division, where she authored several Nevada Gaming Commission regulations that remain in place today. Whittemore has long been an active community and industry leader and is the current Chair of the Nevada Resort Association and the former President of the International Association of Gaming Advisors.
Conferences
CEO Alona Shevtsova: Leo Messenger Team at SiGMA Europe Conference 2024
The Leo Messenger team has officially arrived at the SiGMA Europe Conference 2024 in Valletta and is excited to meet with partners, clients, and potential collaborators. This premier iGaming event, which takes place from November 11 to 14, brings together global leaders and innovators in the industry, making it the ideal platform for Leo Messenger to showcase its cutting-edge communication technology.
Visitors are invited to the Leo Messenger booth to discover the app’s latest features tailored for the iGaming sector, with exclusive insights into messaging solutions that enhance user engagement and streamline business communication. The Leo Messenger team will also offer promo codes and opportunities for in-depth discussions on its upcoming developments.
“With a wide range of panels, talks, and workshops, SiGMA delivers the latest insights and trends in the gaming and tech sectors. This is an opportunity for us to stay updated with industry shifts and adapt strategies accordingly. Also, the face-to-face environment helps build trust, which is crucial for lead generation and converting prospects into clients.” said Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Leo Messenger.
Leo Messenger has recently introduced payment functionality within its app, allowing users to purchase in-app content easily. More payment capabilities are planned in the coming months. With a focus on privacy and security, Leo Messenger is committed to providing seamless, encrypted communication solutions worldwide.
Those interested in connecting with the Leo Messenger team are encouraged to reach out via LinkedIn or visit the booth to schedule a meeting.
For more information, visit SiGMA Europe 2024 or learn about Leo Messenger at leomessenger.app.
About Leo Messenger:
Leo Messenger is a global communications platform focused on user safety and privacy. Available on iOS and Android, it offers end-to-end encrypted messaging, calls, and media sharing. Leo Messenger is free to download on the Apple Store and Google Play.
Latest News
Movers and Shakers: Unlocking New Audiences Through Live Streaming
“Movers and Shakers” is a dynamic monthly column dedicated to exploring the latest trends, developments, and influential voices in the iGaming industry. Powered by GameOn and supported by HIPTHER, this op-ed series delves into the key players, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes shaping the future of online gaming. Each month, industry experts offer their insights and perspectives, providing readers with in-depth analysis and thought-provoking commentary on what’s driving the iGaming world forward. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the scene, “Movers and Shakers” is your go-to source for staying ahead in the rapidly evolving iGaming landscape.
At SGG Media, our focus has always been on staying ahead of the curve and providing the most cost-effective form of sports marketing in the iGaming industry. We specialize in the micro-influencer space, believing this to be the key to unlocking a new generation of sports betting fans.
Of course, staying ahead of the curve is not as easy as it sounds. Part of this entails noticing the industry’s changes as they occur and being able to determine the difference between what will change the game and what is simply a passing trend.
One of our biggest focuses in recent years has been streaming and its emergence as an effective marketing tool in the sports and sports betting industries.
With Gen Z, we are seeing a new generation of sports fans emerge as a commercial force. These fans are defined by their need for fresh experiences, authentic interactions, and a sense of community, all three of which can be provided by live streaming, both by sports and by sports micro-influencers and content creators.
The constant thirst for new experiences is extremely powerful, and we have seen this in action with the emergence of new sports like Power Slap and Pickleball in the last few years. However, unlike major players like the Premier League or the NFL, these sports do not have huge TV deals and do not pack out stadiums week in and week out.
Instead, their events are often live-streamed, and their fans congregate online. A new way of consuming sports is emerging alongside these sports: in-person attendance is being replaced by live streams, while micro-influencers and content creators are replacing punditry and analysis.
SGG Media can send live, real-time, links to the shows from thousands of sports influencers, and their millions of avid sports fan followers, during the actual events – greatly increasing awareness and viewership as they click the link provide in the social media post. Additionally, SGG Media can send social media real-time updates, notifying fans that events are about to start- and tell the fans what channels or platforms they can find the event on. Its easy for fans to lose track of when events are starting and where they can find the event. Social media – in real time – can solve this problem.
What these sports also rely on to succeed is a huge sense of community. Nothing brings people together quite like a shared interest in a niche sport, and live streams have become an excellent platform for nurturing these communities and allowing them to grow organically. The micro-influencers and content creators managing these streams essentially become hosts for giant online discussions and interactions.
From a marketing perspective, this creates a huge opportunity for sports and sports betting businesses. Finding a way into these communities is often extremely difficult, which is where SGG Media can step in. Our network of over 2,200 micro-influencers can provide businesses with access to over 72 million sports fans, as well as countless online communities focused on individual sports and sports teams.
At SGG Media, we believe we can provide unparalleled access to online communities of sports fans at an extremely cost-effective price. Micro-influencers and live-streamers are the present and the future of digital sports marketing, and our network boasts unrivaled access to thousands of them.
Our goal has also been to make this accessible to as many small and medium-sized businesses as possible. Earlier this year, we launched our Instant Quote platform. This allows interested parties to enter information about their business and their marketing budget and to be provided with a quote for a marketing plan.
We believe the emergence of these niche sports and their online communities will only accelerate in the coming years, as will the effectiveness of live streaming as a marketing tool for reaching them.
For many years, online sports betting has been a solitary experience, but this is changing rapidly. Understanding the needs of a new generation and how to effectively market to them is essential for any sports betting business that wants to succeed.
Authenticity is also a key issue we seek to address at SGG Media. For years, the sports marketing landscape has been dominated by endorsements from major celebrities and huge influencers. Both of these endorsements are extremely costly, further lifting the barrier to entry for small—to medium-sized businesses.
New sports fans, particularly Gen Z, have grown up in a world full of these adverts, and it’s fair to say cynicism is at an all-time high. These extremely expensive methods are not as effective as they once were.
This is where micro-influencers and live-streamers come into their own. They share their authentic experiences with their communities, providing an extremely effective and honest form of marketing. At SGG Media, we have observed that aligning brands with micro-influencers and streamers who have a mutual love for sports leads to meaningful connections with like-minded audiences. This strategy allows businesses to engage with individuals who share their values and are genuinely interested in their offerings.
The significance of this is especially relevant with niche sports, as sports betting operators may find it challenging to promote such sports through traditional marketing methods. These sports often have unique requirements and attract specific interests. Therefore, having the ability to directly connect with these niche sports communities holds immense value from a marketing standpoint.
SGG Media has always been about changing the game, and we believe that micro-influencer marketing, live streams, and the emergence of new sports are doing exactly that. We strive to be at the forefront of this change and want to ensure that our clients and partners are with us every step of the journey.
Latest News
Stake’s Latam leadership team smashes glass ceiling; sweeps awards
Stake’s Diana Margarita Otalora has been crowned Leader of the Year at the 2024 SBC’s Latinoamerica awards.
The October award win was the perfect way to mark the one-year anniversary of Stake’s operation in Colombia, which has led the operator’s ambitious expansion plans in Latam.
The victory for Diana, who is GM for Latam as well as the operator’s Colombia country manager, is proof that Stake’s strategy to hire the best talent available in each territory is paying off.
Diana’s team was recently strengthened by the addition of Peruvian country manager Jennyfer Escobar, who helped to secure Stake’s licence in Peru as a result of the operator’s progressive recruitment policy.
“At Stake, we want to appoint the best people for the role. Our ambition is nothing less than to become a leading player in the Latin American sports betting market.” said Otalora.
“It has been rewarding to find those attributes in my fellow Latina leaders, who are pulling together to propel Stake forwards in Latam’s emerging regulated markets.
“We work hard every day to ensure that gambling in our home countries is both exciting and safe for players, who have come to expect nothing less from Stake over the years.”
In order to complete the Colombian launch, Diana managed the merging of two teams following Stake’s acquisition of Betfair Colombia, delivering continuity and harmony during what might otherwise have been a challenging integration.
Diana has successfully grown the Stake Latm team to more than 35 employees and is continuing to grow.
More internal growth is on the cards as the operator looks to build on Colombia by entering Peru and Brazil, among others in the region.
Luisa Muñoz, Head of Operations, Latam for Stake, said: “Under Diana’s leadership, we have launched one of the largest gaming companies in the world in the Colombian market and are now expanding our horizons to all of Latam.
“Working with Diana, I have grown both professionally and personally: professionally, by being able to evolve my role in the organisation from managing the Customer Experience processes to now leading the operation for Latam. Personally, she has guided me, trusted me, empowered me and has opened the way for me to contribute value to the company on a daily basis.
“This is what true leaders do.”
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