LAS VEGAS, DECEMBER 22, 2015… Global Gaming Business Magazine this week released its feature story for the January 2016 edition, the “25 People to Watch” for 2016. One of the most prestigious honors in the gaming industry, the 13th annual “25 People to Watch” highlights individuals who will have major impacts on the gaming industry in the next year.
The issue includes a cover story on Marco Sala, the chairman and CEO of International Game Technology (IGT), the leading slot manufacturer, in his first interview since GTECH acquired IGT in 2015.
“Marco Sala is suddenly one of the most important people in gaming,” said Roger Gros, publisher of Global Gaming Business magazine. “IGT has long been one of the most powerful suppliers in the business, and now with the purchase by GTECH, the company is also a major player in the lottery and the social gaming space. Sala has a big job in front of him, and everyone will be watching his company.”
Others making the influential list are:
• Mark Clayton, Attorney, Greenberg Traurig
• John Connelly, Global CEO, Interblock Gaming
• Alan Dunch, Chairman, Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission
• Brian Eby, Senior Vice President, Gaming Operations, Rock Gaming
• Karen Fox-LaRose, Assistant General Manager, Mohegan Pocono Downs
• Chris Gumiela, Vice President of Marketing, Monte Carlo Resort & Casino
• Angela Heikes, Chief Operating Officer, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Gaming Enterprise
• Jim Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer, Lottery Group, Scientific Games
• Adam Krejcik, Partner, Eilers Research
• Jon Lucas, Executive Vice President, Hard Rock International
• Blairo Maggi, Senator, Brazil
• Kenneth Manuel, Assistant CEO in the Pathway Mentorship Program, Gila River Gaming Enterprises
• Cody Martinez, Chairman, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
• Bill McBeath, President & CEO, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
• Nicholas Menas, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development, Amaya Gaming
• Patrick Moore, Senior Director of Client Services, Gaming Laboratories International
• Roger Pettersson, Vice President of Slot Operations, Station Casinos
• Brent Pinkston, Chief Operating Officer, Wind Creek Hospitality
• Ron Rosenbaum, Chief Operating Officer, American Gaming Association
• Elena Shampaner, Vice President, Strategic Incentives, Pinnacle Entertainment
• Jay Snowden, Chief Operating Officer, Penn National Gaming
• Derek Stevens, Co-Owner and CEO, The D Las Vegas
• Maureen Sweeny, Chief Commercial Officer, Aristocrat Technologies
• David Wolmetz, Casino Gaming & Lottery Applications, Sr. OEM Technology Sales Leader, Zebra Technologies
• Wilfred Wong, President and Chief Operating Officer, Sands China
“With the assistance of our editorial advisory board, we identified almost 100 candidates for this year’s list,” said Gros. “We believe the 25 individuals who were actually chosen will play a key role in the development of the gaming industry in 2016 and beyond.”
Global Gaming Business is the leading monthly gaming trade magazine that focuses solely on the international casino gaming industry. The magazine is distributed to 15,000 of the industry’s most important executives around the world. Casino Connection International also publishes the most timely weekly gaming digital news magazine, GGB News; and three annual publications, Tribal Government Gaming, G2E Preview and Casino Style. Global Gaming Business magazine is an official publication of the American Gaming Association, the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) and Global Gaming Expo (G2E). For more information, visit the company website at www.GGBMagazine.com
For more information on the “25 People to Watch” awards, contact Roger Gros at Global Gaming Business magazine at 702-248-1565 x225 or rgros@ggbmagazine.com.
