Garrett Blackwelder, the founder and former CEO of Grover Gaming, has unveiled a new venture following the billion-dollar sale of his previous company. His latest enterprise, Valicy Gaming, was officially introduced at a launch event in Greenville, North Carolina. The company’s name, drawn from a combination of Blackwelder’s daughters’ names, marks both a personal and professional milestone for the longtime gaming executive.

Valicy Gaming sets its sights on becoming a significant player in the land-based gaming sector throughout North America. Unlike Grover Gaming, which gained prominence for its work in charitable gambling, the new firm intends to concentrate on game creation and hardware design for casinos and operators across the continent.

Transition from Grover Gaming to Valicy

Grover Gaming, before being acquired, operated thousands of electronic pull-tab machines across five states, including North Dakota, Ohio, Kentucky, New Hampshire, and Virginia. These machines generated vital funds for organizations such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Earlier this year, Light & Wonder finalized its purchase of Grover Gaming’s charitable gaming assets. The transaction amounted to $850 million in cash, with the potential for an additional $200 million earn-out if certain revenue goals are met by 2028. Light & Wonder executives highlighted that the acquisition would strengthen their presence in the charitable gaming space while complementing their global cross-platform strategy.

“Grover Gaming has established itself as a leader in the fast-growing charitable gaming space,” said Matt Wilson, President and CEO of Light & Wonder. “Bringing their assets and expertise into our ecosystem aligns perfectly with our strategy to expand into complementary regulated markets. This addition enhances our position as the leading global cross-platform games company and opens new opportunities to deliver our world-class content to even more players.”

Valicy Gaming’s Vision and Team

Valicy is carrying forward much of the talent that made Grover successful. The new company retained a majority of Grover’s workforce, ensuring continuity and leveraging the expertise of its seasoned staff. Importantly, the same executive leadership team that guided Grover Gaming through years of growth will now drive Valicy’s ambitions.

The firm has emphasized its guiding principles through its CARE triangle—People, Company, and Work—which remains central to its culture. Leadership has stressed that maintaining strong customer relationships, high-quality service, and dependable technical support will remain cornerstones of the business.

“This is an exciting time for our teams,” Blackwelder said, according to a company press release. “We have the opportunity to do big things in new markets, which gives us energy and enthusiasm. As we grow Valicy, we will focus on relationships, excellence, and innovation.”

Upcoming Industry Debut at G2E

Valicy Gaming will showcase its new identity on a major stage next month. The company’s public debut is scheduled for the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas from October 6 to 9. Set at the Venetian Expo, Booth #1623, the presentation will highlight Valicy’s first wave of products and provide an opportunity for casino partners and operators to experience the new brand firsthand.

By positioning itself at G2E, one of the industry’s largest gatherings, Valicy signals its readiness to compete with established suppliers in land-based gaming. The expo debut is expected to draw attention from across the sector as operators and partners look for innovative offerings and fresh hardware solutions.