Bally’s Corporation has announced the appointment of Kim Barker Lee as its new executive vice president and chief legal officer.
In her new role, Lee will oversee Bally’s legal and public affairs teams, as well as support the operator’s ongoing global strategic initiatives.
Lee joins Bally’s from International Game Technology (IGT), where she had served as vice president of diversity and inclusion for five years.
Prior to this, she was general counsel and vice president for legal and regulatory compliance at the Northstar Lottery Group for seven years, while she also has a spell as general counsel of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
“I’m pleased to be joining Bally’s during such an exciting time; the opportunities for growth are significant as the company advances its transformation into a global omni-channel gaming leader,” Lee said.
“I’ve spent much of my career deploying leadership and operational strategies in the lottery and gaming space, so I understand how the industry works and the challenges that must be overcome. I look forward to this next chapter and to playing a part in Bally’s continued success.”
Bally’s chief executive Lee Fenton added: “We are excited to welcome Kim to Bally’s and are confident that she will make an excellent addition to our global leadership team. The depth and breadth of Kim’s legal expertise, especially in gaming and lottery, will be instrumental as the company continues to expand and evolve during this period of significant growth.
“Additionally, her strong network and understanding of our key markets, including Rhode Island and Illinois, is particularly valuable as we explore new opportunities in the jurisdictions in which we conduct business.”
The appointment comes after Bally’s last month closed a deal worth up to $500m with a real estate private equity firm in Chicago, wherein the firm acquired the 30-acre Tribune Publishing Center site where Bally’s Chicago will be built.
As part of the deal, Bally’s will lease back the land from the real estate firm in a ground lease agreement. The agreement consists of an initial 99-year term, which will be followed by 10 separate 20-year renewals.
In addition, the firm will invest up to $300m for Bally’s Chicago’s development through the deal.
Lee this week was also named as one of iGB’s Most Influential Women for 2022. The told iGB that the timing of the announcement, at the same time that she starts her new role at Bally’s, is “profound”.