The American Gaming Association (AGA) last week announced that Hard Rock International Chairman and Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen will serve as the association’s next chairman. The AGA board of directors elected Allen to succeed Aristocrat Technologies CEO Trevor Croker, who has served as AGA chairman since January 2020. His two-year term begins in January 2022.
Allen has served on AGA’s board of directors since 2015, where his leadership and experience has played an integral role in driving association priorities. For 20 years, Allen has led all gaming, hospitality and entertainment operations for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, vastly expanding the tribe’s gaming operations across the state and country. Allen becomes the first representative of a Native American gaming enterprise to become AGA chairman.
“This is a pivotal juncture for the gaming industry and I’m honored to serve as the AGA’s next chairman,” said Allen. “The AGA has played an essential role in uniting the industry throughout the pandemic, and I’m thankful to Trevor and the AGA board of directors for entrusting me to help lead the industry’s continued recovery.”
“I’m thrilled to welcome Jim as AGA chairman,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “Jim brings decades of experience in commercial casino operations and tribal gaming—a perspective that will be invaluable as we work to set the industry’s agenda, accelerate gaming’s comeback, and strengthen our value to communities across the country.”
“Trevor has been a tremendous chairman of the AGA and trusted advisor to me over the past two years, guiding the industry through the most challenging time in its history,” continued Miller. “The AGA and entire gaming community are indebted to his service to the industry.”
“It has been a privilege to serve as AGA chairman,” stated Croker. “I’m incredibly proud of our success in laying the foundation for gaming’s recovery and ensuring our future is brighter than ever. I have the utmost confidence that Jim, Bill and the entire association will continue to lead the gaming industry forward.”
In addition, the AGA’s executive committee recently extended Miller’s contract to remain the association’s president and CEO for an additional three years. Since joining in 2019, Miller and the AGA have advanced important industry priorities, such as:
- Accelerating gaming’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, including the industry’s historic inclusion in the CARES Act.
- Securing a favorable regulatory environment for the industry to help pave the way for casino payments modernization and other industry innovation.
- Expanding responsible gaming efforts as the industry grows, including the establishment of AGA’s Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly.
- Amplifying gaming’s voice to the public and policymakers through communications and research and building gaming champions on Capitol Hill.
