The American Gaming Association (AGA) has appointed Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International and chief executive of Seminole Gaming, as its new chairman.
Allen was elected to the role by the AGA board of directors and will replace Trevor Croker, the chief executive of Aristocrat Technologies who has served as chair since January 2020.
Allen, who will begin his two-year term in January 2022, has served on the AGA board of directors since 2015. He has led all gaming, hospitality and entertainment operations for the Seminole Tribe of Florida for more than 15 years.
“This is a pivotal juncture for the gaming industry and I’m honored to serve as the AGA’s next chairman,” Allen said. “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.”
AGA president and chief executive Bill Miller, who recently had his contract extended by an additional three years, added: “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. The AGA and entire gaming community are indebted to his service to the industry.”
The appointment comes after the AGA last month published the first edition of its Gaming CEO Outlook, which suggested industry leaders are optimistic about the remainder of 2021, but do have concerns about supply and employment issues.
Created for the AGA by Oxford Economics, the report takes into consideration economic indicators such as gaming revenue and casino visitation – as well as CEO responses – to make projections about the future of the industry.
It stated that 48% of its Gaming Executive Panel, which is made up of CEOs and executives of AGA operators and suppliers, expected that business conditions were to improve close to the end of 2021.