New York-based startup manufacturer GameCo, Inc., which received approval last week from New Jersey regulators to launch the industry’s first pure skill-based, arcade-style slot games in Caesars’ Atlantic City casinos, announced that it is expanding its management team and opening a Las Vegas office.
New hires include Rich Maryyanek, head of global business development; Tommy Florio, vice president of sales; Eli Weissman, head of production; Patricia Morelli, vice president of regulatory and product compliance; and Joe Galante, vice president of operations and field services. Maryyanek, Florio and Weissman are based in the company’s New York City headquarters while Morelli and Galante will run the Las Vegas office, located at 2630 S. Jones Blvd., Suite 2.
Maryyanek handles the licensing of intellectual property and games, working with property holders, game developers and publishers, as well as the distribution of GameCo’s proprietary Video Game Gambling Machines (VGM) throughout the world. Maryyanek has worked with leading marketing, branded consumer products, retail and entertainment companies for more than 25 years, managing marketing, research, sales, licensing, information technology and digital/social media.
Florio, is a seasoned gaming industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience in both casino operations and gaming manufacturing. Florio has held executive-level positions with Caesars Entertainment, Wynn Group, Penn-Argosy Group, and tribal gaming venues in both the U.S. and Canada. From the manufacturer side of the gaming industry, Florio has held senior sales and development positions with Shuffle Master, TCSJohnHuxley, Aristocrat, ISD, Amaya-Cadillac Jack and AGS.
Weissman is an experienced manager, game designer, and executive producer who has completed several successful launches for various products, including some of the largest video games releases in history, including Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. Weissman was the founder of Highline Games, a successful boutique game development studio, and was department head at both Rockstar Games and New York Times Television. He was also the managing director at multiple successful post-production facilities, including Great City Productions.
Morelli oversees GameCo’s game product and licensing compliance activities and works directly with all worldwide gaming regulatory agencies, including state testing facilities and independent test laboratories. Morelli will also take a lead role in external customer relations for GameCo. Previously, Morelli spent 20 years in compliance positions at CG Technology, Bally Technologies, Shuffle Master and Anchor Games, holding key management positions including product compliance, regulatory compliance, and project management.
Galante has more than 26 years of gaming operations experience with both gaming manufacturers and casino operators. At GameCo, Galante oversees the production, installation and maintenance of all products and is responsible for the strategy, planning and execution of manufacturing, procurement and service operations. Throughout his career, Galante has held management-level positions with the largest gaming manufacturers in the world, including IGT, Bally and Aristocrat. He has successfully led departments such as slot manufacturing, installation and service, parts finished goods warehouse and many more.
“We’re thrilled to be adding such wonderful talent and experience to the team at GameCo,” said Blaine Graboyes, CEO of GameCo. “Our vision is to create a VIP destination for gamers at casinos, and this requires bringing together the best people from the worlds of casinos, video games and events. No other company is able to offer the combination of experience and resources, especially as eSports continues to become critical to the casino industry.”
