Las Vegas-based Aruze Gaming America Inc has reportedly made a series of changes to its leadership and organizational structure, which according to the company became effective Tuesday.

Resigning from the positions as president, chief financial officer (CFO) and chief administrative officer was Richard Pennington. He will, however, remain with Aruze Gaming America in his new role as vice chairman of the board of directors and senior advisor to the company’s new CFO, and to the chairman and chief executive Takahiro Usui.

GGRAsia reports that Pennington was quoted in a press release on Tuesday as saying: “I am extremely proud to have been a member of executive management at Aruze for the last seven years. I truly wish I could continue for another seven years, but my personal situation makes that impractical.”

Succeeding Pennington as president is Eric Persson, who in addition to joining the board was also appointed chief operating officer (COO).

Persson was quoted in the press release as saying, “I’m excited to be a part of this opportunity and to utilise the knowledge I’ve gained over the past 18 years to take Aruze’s sales, marketing, and research and development to the next level.”

Board member and former COO at Aruze Gaming America, Yugo Kinoshita, reportedly takes on the roles of chief strategic officer and CFO. In the press release on Tuesday, the company reportedly stated that “In addition to overseeing Aruze’s strategic planning process, Mr Kinoshita will continue managing its manufacturing operations.”

Chief legal officer for Aruze Gaming America, Robert Ziems, will reportedly become a board member and assume the added responsibilities of corporate secretary. Ziems will report directly to the chief executive and the board.

CEO Usui was quoted in the Tuesday release as saying Aruze Gaming America was “continually looking at adapting our organisation in response to changes in the gaming market and personal situations.” He went on to say: “These organisational changes enhance our leadership capabilities and give Aruze the best opportunity to fulfill its mission.”

Japanese gaming conglomerate Universal Entertainment Corp., formerly known as Aruze Corp., is currently suing Aruze Gaming America via Tokyo District Court. Universal Entertainment Corp. was formerly chaired and founded by Kazuo Okada, who controls Aruze Gaming America. The Tokyo-headquartered company claims that Aruze Gaming America is in violation of a patent licensing fee agreement.

Aruze Gaming America has since 1983 been developing and manufacturing slot machines and gaming devices for the global casino market. In addition to its Las Vegas office, the company has sales offices in Macau, Australia and South Africa.