AGA Announces Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2022

AGA 2022 Hall of Fame
L-R: Gavin Isaacs; Virginia McDowell; and Michael Rumbolz

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced the Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2022, honoring three leaders for their noteworthy contributions to the industry:

  • Gavin Isaacs, former President and CEO, Scientific Games Corporation and current Chairman, Games Global
  • Virginia McDowell, former President and CEO, Isle of Capri Casinos and current Non-Executive Director, Entain and Co-founder, Global Gaming Women
  • Michael Rumbolz, former CEO, Everi Holdings and current Executive Chairman of the Board, Everi Holdings

“Gavin, Virginia and Mike have each helped transform the gaming industry in their own significant ways,” said Bill Miller, AGA President and CEO. “From leading casino and manufacturing operations across the country to serving in a multitude of board and advisory roles, their influence has spanned the U.S. and global gaming industry – and we are all better off for it.”

Since 1989, the Gaming Hall of Fame has recognized gaming pioneers and business leaders for their lasting impacts on the industry. The Class of 2022 will be honored during an induction ceremony at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas this October.

“The Gaming Hall of Fame is comprised of individuals that have pushed the industry forward through innovation, leadership and excellence,” said Jim Allen, AGA Chairman of the Board and Hard Rock International Chairman and Seminole Gaming CEO. “This year’s inductees are well-deserving additions to its ranks. I look forward to celebrating their contributions alongside the entire gaming industry at G2E 2022.”

Gavin Isaacs, Former President and CEO, Scientific Games Corporation; Current Chairman, Games Global

Currently Chairman of Games Global, Isaacs helped form the American gaming landscape by serving as a top executive at several of the country’s largest casino suppliers and leading multiple industry-shaping mergers. He most recently served as President and CEO of Scientific Games (now Light & Wonder), where he oversaw the company’s acquisition of Bally Technologies. Prior to joining Scientific Games, he held positions as CEO of SHFL Entertainment and Executive Vice President and COO of Bally Technologies, facilitating significant revenue growth, global expansion, and improvements to the slot businesses at both companies. He began his career in gaming with Aristocrat Technologies, where he grew the company’s Americas business to record revenue.

Virginia McDowell, Former President and CEO, Isle of Capri Casinos; Current Non-Executive Director, Entain and Co-founder, Global Gaming Women

McDowell served as the only female President and CEO of a major gaming operating company from 2007 until her retirement from Isle of Capri Casinos in April 2016. She now serves as a Non-Executive Director of Entain, where she chairs the Environmental, Social and Governance Committee and serves as the Designated Workforce Director. McDowell is also the co-founder of Global Gaming Women, a non-profit she established in 2016 with a mission to support, inspire and influence the development of women in the gaming industry through education and mentoring. Her career in gaming spans 40 years.

Michael Rumbolz, Former CEO, Everi Holdings; Current Executive Chairman of the Board, Everi Holdings

Rumbolz currently serves as Executive Chairman of the Board of Everi Holdings, having previously served as CEO of the company from February 2016 to April 2022. For the past 40 years, he has been involved in all aspects of the gaming industry with experience encompassing gaming-related equipment and systems manufacturing and distribution; casino project development and construction; hotel and casino operations; casino fintech equipment and systems; casino regulatory technology; digital gaming; lottery and slot-route operations; and gaming legislation and regulation. He previously served as the Chairman and CEO of Cash Systems, CEO of Anchor Gaming, and Vice Chairman of Casino Data Systems. Rumbolz has been a member of the Board of Managers of Seminole Hard Rock International since 2008 and a member of the Board of Directors of VICI Properties since 2017. He also formerly served as Chief Deputy Attorney General of Nevada and Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board.