GGB magazine announces "25 People to Watch" 2024 edition, honoring industry trailblazers

Global Gaming Business Magazine has published the 22nd edition of its annual '25 People to Watch' list, comprising the profiles of industry figures with the potential to have a big impact on gaming in 2024 and beyond. The feature is published every year in the January issue.

This year’s edition features high flyers from different facets of the industry, including Fontainebleau’s Jeffrey Soffer, Pavilion’s Chris Justice, Playtech’s Mor Weizer, UNLV’s Brett Abarbanel and many more.

Comprising knowledgeable figures in the gaming industry, the GGB Editorial Advisory Board compiles the list after deliberating on nominees from various segments of the sector, including land-based and online operators and suppliers, regulators, attorneys, tribal government officials, public officials, academics, and more.

Explaining the rationale behind the selection for the list, Magazine publisher Roger Gros said: “The gaming industry is going through a sea change as the land-based and iGaming worlds come together. Many of the people honored by their inclusion in the 2024 list are prime participants in that merger. Their vision will shape gaming for many years to come.”

“We have chosen a great group of people for our 2024 Class. They have all already made an impact in the gaming world, and our focus on them in this annual feature shows the industry just how important these individuals are.” 

Stalwarts like Linda Chen, Gavin Isaacs, Jim Allen, Stanley Crooks, Tony Marnell, Cody Martinez, Russell Sanna, Amy Howe, among others, have been featured in previous editions of the coveted list. A previous edition honoree is never considered again for another edition.

GGB’S 25 PEOPLE TO WATCH 2024

• Noah Acres, Principal, Acres Manufacturing

• Maureen Adams, Executive Vice President Gaming Operations, Churchill Downs Inc.

• Kelcey Allison, Global COO, Aruze

• Brett Abarbanel, Executive Director, UNLV IGI

• Brian Blake, Vice President, Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, IGT

• Julia Boguslawski, Chief Marketing Officer, AGS

• Mike Brennan, Chief Product Officer, Bluberi

• Dona Cassese, Vice President of Marketing, Everi

• Robbie Cooke, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Star Entertainment

• Ed Evans, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Cordish Gaming Group

• Shawn Fluharty, President, National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS)

• Katie Gehrke, Marketing and Communications Manager, JCM Global

• Jeannie Hovland, Vice Chair, NIGC

• Christopher Justice, President & CEO, Pavilion Payments

• Danielle Kristensen, Vice President of Technology, Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures / Grand Casinos

• Kim Barker Lee, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Bally’s Corporation

• Kara Matthew, COO, BMM Innovation Group

• Eileen O’Brien, Member, Massachusetts Gaming Commission

• Tom O’Brien, President, Americas and EMEA, Aristocrat Technologies

• Niklas Rytterstrom, President, Borgata Hotel Casino

• Greg Sarris, Tribal Chairman, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria

• James Silva, Vice Chairman. Morongo Band of Mission Indians; Chairman, California Nations Indian Gaming Association

• Jeffrey Soffer, CEO and Chairman, Fontainebleau Development

• Max Tappeiner, Executive Vice President, Operations, Wynn Resorts

• Mor Weizer, CEO, Playtech PLC