The American Gaming Association’s Hall of Fame has announced its 2020 and 2021 classes. The six inductees are being recognized for their contributions to the gaming industry. Last year’s selections and inductions were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Class of 2020:
- James R. Maida, president and CEO of Gaming Laboratories International
- Jeffrey A. Silver, Dickinson Wright PLLC gaming and administrative law counsel
- Mark Yoseloff, retired chairman and CEO of Shuffle Master, Inc., founder of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Center for Gaming Innovation
The Class of 2021:
- Jeremy M. Jacobs, Delaware North chairman
- Jim Shore, general counsel for the Seminole Tribe of Florida
- Knute Knudsen Jr., IGT Global Business Development and Tribal Ambassador
“Each of these pioneers has left a unique, indelible mark on our industry,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller in a statement. “Under their leadership, tribal gaming has boomed, professional sports leagues have embraced sports betting, and the gaming industry is thriving despite the challenges we’ve faced over the past year and a half.”
The AGA highlighted the achievements of each inductee:
- James Maida: While a lawyer in the New Jersey regulatory system, Maida started testing slot machines at home. He eventually started Gaming Laboratories International to serve both regulators and gaming operators.
- Jeffrey Silver: As a member of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Silver spoke out against organized crime and helped develop corporate investment in gaming. He also served in leadership roles at Las Vegas casino resorts and is now a sought-after adviser for the gaming industry.
- Mark Yoseloff: The creator of Mississippi Stud poker and other table games, Yoseloff also holds hundreds of gaming patents, including one for Shuffle Master. He also founded UNLV’s Center for Gaming Innovation to help foster the next generation of gaming creators.
- Jeremy Jacobs: As chairman, Jacobs led the transformation of Delaware North into a global company with roots in gaming, hospitality and entertainment. As the owner of the NHL’s Boston Bruins, Jacobs has helped facilitate partnerships between the league and gaming operators.
- Jim Shore: The first member of Seminole Tribe to become a lawyer, Shore has served as the tribe’s general counsel since the 1980s. His accomplishments include leading compact negotiations for the Seminole Tribe, including recent efforts to expand gaming in the state of Florida.
- Knute Knudson, Jr.: While at the U.S. Department of the Interior, Knudson led efforts to implement the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and worked on compacts, trust applications, and National Indian Gaming Commission appointments. The author of Getting Started in Indian Gaming, the blueprint for the first decade of tribal gaming startups, Knudson has long advocated for securing economic self-sufficiency for Indian Country.
“This year’s honorees have been key players in proving that gaming is a world-class entertainment experience,” said AGA Chairman of the Board and Aristocrat Technologies CEO Trevor Croker in a statement. “We’re proud to recognize them and the important role they’ve played shaping gaming into the dynamic industry it is today.”
Both classes will be inducted into the Gaming Hall of Fame during the Chairman’s Reception at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas in October.
