To generate success across the Asia-Pacific region, operators and suppliers alike must find leaders who not only produce immediate returns, but those who also keep an eye on the years ahead. For the past half-decade, the Global Gaming Awards APAC have honored and celebrated such individuals across the sector. The Global Gaming Awards APAC 2026 ceremony will be held on June 2 in Manila, having unveiled the shortlist for its Executive of the Year category on April 20...

Executive of the Year recognizes individuals whose leadership, strategic direction and ability to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape have made a significant impact on APAC gaming over the past 12 months. As the only industry Awards to publicly disclose the reasons behind every nomination, the Global Gaming Awards ensures credibility and trust across the entire process. Winners are selected by a panel of senior industry executives with deep expertise in the APAC gaming market, while the voting process is independently adjudicated by KPMG US to guarantee the highest standards of integrity and impartiality.

At the Global Gaming Awards APAC 2025 ceremony, SJM Holdings Chairman and Executive Director Daisy Ho was named Executive of the Year, recognizing her continuous innovation, service excellence and cultural stewardship. During this year’s event, however, a new Executive of the Year will be crowned, with a fantastic Shortlist of nominees each hoping to be honored and celebrated by their peers throughout the industry. 

“APAC continues to be one of the most dynamic and fast-moving regions in global gaming, and that is largely down to the strength of leadership across the sector,” said Mariya Savova, Marketing Director at Global Gaming Insider. “This year’s Shortlist highlights executives who have not only delivered strong results, but have shown adaptability, long-term vision and a clear understanding of how the industry is evolving.”

Those shortlisted begin with DigiPlus President Andy Tsui, who has driven exceptional growth and innovation with the operator since his tenure first began. Under his leadership, DigiPlus has strengthened its dominant Philippine market position, expanded regionally with a Singapore hub and scaled flagship platforms such as BingoPlus and ArenaPlus. Tsui has routinely demonstrated strategic excellence, resilience and a transformative impact – while providing strong financial performance and a clear global vision for DigiPlus. 

Having been promoted to President and COO in 2025, Lee Shi Ruh of Genting Singapore has driven key strategic initiatives and operational improvements, assisting the operator in maintaining one of the strongest balance sheets in the regional leisure sector. Shi Ruh also manages her Genting Singapore position while serving as CEO of Resorts World Sentosa, demonstrating disciplined execution and a clear focus on sustainable, long-term growth between both titles. 

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) President & COO Wilma Eisma was originally appointed to the position in 2024. Her hiring was widely viewed as a significant asset to the organization, proven true by her efforts in guiding the regulator through a period of major transition. Eisma successfully steered the Philippines into a new post-POGO era and strengthened regulatory oversight through stricter advertising guidelines, enhanced collaboration with stakeholders, community outreach and responsible gaming initiatives.

Representing leadership on a supplier level, Interblock Asia-Pacific President Michael Hu has driven the growth of electronic table gaming across the region for over two decades, establishing Interblock as a trusted partner to casino operators. During his tenure as President, Interblock Asia-Pacific has completed over 20,000 installations, expanded into markets such as Taiwan, Vietnam, Laos and Korea and strengthened its presence in Macau, the Philippines, Cambodia and Malaysia.

While the APAC region is full of noteworthy gaming leaders, few have demonstrated the vision, resilience and transformative leadership displayed by Jade Entertainment and Gaming Technologies Founder & CEO Joe Pisano. Pisano has played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of gaming and entertainment in the Philippines and fellow APAC jurisdictions, while Jade Technologies has become one of the region’s most respected and influential entities. 

Also representing quite the legacy is Melco Resorts & Entertainment Chairman & CEO Lawrence Ho. The industry veteran continues to showcase strong leadership with Melco Resorts, driving its growth into a globally recognized integrated resort operator. With a career spanning more than two decades, Ho has redefined premium entertainment and recently helped advance Melco’s international expansion with the opening of City of Dreams Sri Lanka. The launch marked the operator’s official entry into South Asia and reinforces a strategy focused on distinctive destinations and diversified entertainment.

Crown Resorts CEO David Tsai joins the Shortlist of leaders, having displayed leadership and definitive strategic direction during a turbulent period for the operator. Tsai steered Crown Resorts back into profitability for the first time in five years in late 2025, also leading difficult but needed cost scaling efforts across multiple properties. Crown Resorts unveiled plans for a major AU$200m (US$140.7m) overhaul of its Melbourne property, marking the operator’s most significant investment into the casino resort in nearly 30 years.

Wrapping up the Executive of the Year category is The Lottery Office CEO Jaclyn Wood, whose leadership philosophy has always been simple: support your people – and results follow. Wood helped drive significant growth for The Lottery Office in 2025, building a high-performing team while navigating a compliance-heavy industry with clarity and commercial discipline.