The Mississippi Gaming and Hospitality Association (MGHA) will host the sixth annual Hall of Fame Dinner Gala on June 27 at MGM’s Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, honoring individuals who have played a significant role in the state’s gaming industry.
Larry Gregory, executive director at the MGHA, said, “Our honorees have made important, meaningful contributions to the industry. The Hall of Fame boasts leaders from Mississippi and elsewhere who exemplify personal and professional qualities. Their legacy is Mississippi’s success.”
The 2024 class of honorees are:
Industry Pioneer
Tim Hinkley was the former general manager of the Isle of Capri Casino, the first casino to open in Mississippi in 1992. Before retiring in 2007, he served as president of Casino America, a billion-dollar publicly traded company based in Biloxi.
Industry Influencer
Jon Lucas was general manager at IP Casino Resort Spa in Biloxi from 2005 to 2011. In 2005, he led the recovery of the property following Hurricane Katrina in August. Under Lucas’ leadership, IP reopened just four months later.
Industry Regulatory/Government Official
The late William “Bill” Gresham Jr. was the first chairman and one of the original three members of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, serving from 1993 through 2001. He passed away in 2010, leaving a family legacy in Mississippi.
Industry Regulatory/Government Official
Thomas “Tom” Gresham, the son of Bill Gresham Jr., served as a commissioner of the Mississippi Gaming Commission from 2015 through 2023.
