In the United States and the American Gaming Association (AGA) trade group has announced that its board of directors has elected experienced industry figure Jim Allen (pictured) to serve as its next Chairman.

The organization used an official Friday press release to declare that Allen currently serves as the Chairman for American casino operator Hard Rock International and ‘has led all gaming, hospitality and entertainment operations’ at its Seminole Tribe of Florida parent for more than 20 years where his guidance has resulted in the ‘vast expansion’ of the federally-recognized tribe’s gaming operations across the entire country.

Important involvement:

The AGA moreover proclaimed that Allen has been a member of its board of directors since 2015 with ‘his leadership and experience’ playing a key role in driving the group’s priorities. It disclosed that the 61-year-old is to replace predecessor Trevor Croker, Chief Executive Officer for prominent gaming machines manufacturer Aristocrat Technologies Limited, as its latest Chairman from January with his two-year term set to run until the beginning of 2024.

Read a statement from Allen…

“This is a pivotal juncture for the gaming industry and I’m honored to serve as the AGA’s next Chairman. 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.”

Alluring addendum:

The AGA disclosed that it has also extended Bill Miller’s contract to serve as its President and Chief Executive Officer by a further three years. The organization pronounced that its boss took up his current post in 2019 and has ‘advanced important industry priorities’ including allowing the American gaming industry to protect its financial future following the tumult of the coronavirus pandemic via its inclusion in the federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Extensive efforts:

Miller previously worked as Senior Vice-President for the non-profit Business Roundtable public policy organization and is additionally credited with helping the United States’ casino industry to secure a favorable regulatory environment for issues such as payments modernization. The AGA asserted that the veteran lobbyist furthermore assisted with the establishment of its Have a Game Plan: Bet Responsibly campaign and has ‘amplified gaming’s voice to the public and policymakers’ by commissioning research and communications while ‘building gaming champions on Capitol Hill.’

Miller’s statement read…

“I’m thrilled to welcome Jim Allen as Chairman for the AGA. He brings decades of experience in commercial casino operations and tribal gaming, which is 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.”