Executive decision: the Global Gaming Awards Executive of the Year shortlist

Peter Arceo, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation: With 30 years in gaming, Peter Arceo provides strategic direction across Yaamava’ Resort & Casino and Palms Casino Resort as Chief Gaming Officer. He has achieved success in leadership across both properties while also contributing to the Tribe’s wider hospitality portfolio.

Carsten Koerl, Sportradar: Founder and CEO Carsten Koerl drives Sportradar’s growth through expansion and innovation. He led the acquisition of IMG ARENA’s sports betting rights portfolio, adding 70+ rightsholders and access to Grand Slam tennis, MLS, PGA TOUR and UFC, while accelerating AI investment.

Mandi Hart, Sightline Payments: As Head of Product at Sightline Payments, Mandi Hart has advanced payments across regulated gaming. She led the development and launch of Sightline Debit, designed to reduce costs and churn while maintaining security and auditability. Her leadership has helped Sightline maintain 99.9% uptime during launches.

Ryan Comstock, Ainsworth: Ryan Comstock became CEO of Ainsworth in May 2026 after a 14-year career spanning finance leadership, COO and Interim CEO roles. He has supported organizational change and a focus on product performance and growth, with Dragon Legacy securing the #1 and #2 positions in EKG’s Top New Core Video Games rankings.

Dawn Clayton, Thunder Valley Casino Resort: Dawn Clayton became the first CEO in Thunder Valley Casino Resort’s 23-year history in August 2026. Working alongside the United Auburn Indian Community Tribal Council, she leads operations and long-term strategy, drawing on four decades of gaming and hospitality experience, from starting her career as a craps dealer to leading a major Northern California resort.

Andrew Burke, Bluberi: Since becoming CEO in 2020, Andrew Burke has transformed Bluberi from a company emerging from bankruptcy into a profitable North American supplier. He rebuilt the leadership team, attracted industry talent and established a culture centered on creativity. A milestone came in 2025 when Bluberi entered Nevada.

Mackenzie Haugh, GLI: During more than 25 years at GLI, Mackenzie Haugh has progressed from engineering roles to Chief Delivery Officer. He oversees delivery strategy, technical execution, security and quality, while modernizing operations. He has also strengthened GLI’s customer-centric delivery model through clearer ownership and client alignment.

Ivory Kelly, Tribal Council for Responsible Gaming: With more than 25 years in Tribal gaming regulation, Ivory Kelly is a leading advocate for responsible gaming. As Founder and CEO of the Tribal Council for Responsible Gaming, she strengthens practices while respecting Tribal sovereignty. Her initiatives include a Tribal-wide self-exclusion programme, while the IGA named her Regulator of the Year in 2025.

Joe Billhimer, Cordish Gaming Group: As Chief Operating & Development Officer, Joe Billhimer has helped guide Cordish Gaming through expansion. Under his leadership, the portfolio has doubled, strengthening the Live! Casinos & Hotels brand across the Mid-Atlantic and Southern US and advancing new projects in Virginia. 
Adam Greenblatt, BetMGM: As CEO of BetMGM, Adam Greenblatt has led a transformation toward sustainable growth and profitability and strengthened its US online gaming position. In 2025, BetMGM generated $2.8bn in net revenue, up 33%, and $220m in adjusted EBITDA. Online sports betting became profitable, while iGaming revenue grew 24%.

David Lopez, AGS: During more than a decade as President and CEO, David Lopez helped transform AGS while building a distinctive culture. Following Brightstar’s acquisition of AGS in 2025, he guided a transition across slots, table games, shufflers, HHR and online gaming. In 2026, AGS was named among the Best and Brightest Companies for a 10th consecutive year.

Brooks Pierce, Inspired Entertainment: As President and CEO, Brooks Pierce has led Inspired Entertainment’s transformation toward a more scalable, digitally focused business. It has prioritized digital growth, optimized its portfolio and strengthened its balance sheet. In Q1 2026, Inspired generated $57.2m in revenue and $23.7m in EBITDA, achieving a 41% margin.

Dr. Alicia Lechtenberger, Passport Technology: Since joining Passport Technology as Vice President of Sales and Marketing in January 2026, Dr. Alicia Lechtenberger has reshaped its commercial strategy. She restructured sales territories, recruited talent, introduced coaching and performance reviews, led a rebrand and established Passport’s first structured RFP management process.

Jordan Levin, OpenBet: Jordan Levin has led OpenBet through transformation, navigating its management buyout while reinforcing its position as a sportsbook technology, content and services provider. OpenBet has expanded in regulated markets, including Brazil, and strengthened its North American presence. Levin has also advanced regulatory and responsible gaming capabilities, including Neccton
and Protect.

Mor Weizer, Playtech: Mor Weizer has led Playtech through transformation while focusing on the Americas. US revenue nearly doubled year-over-year, supported by expansion into West Virginia, Delaware and Connecticut and deeper relationships with FanDuel, Hard Rock Digital and Delaware North. In Brazil, Playtech has expanded through GaleraBet and a São Paulo Live Casino studio.

Lana Rivera, Graton Resort & Casino: Lana Rivera has progressed from card dealer to President of Graton Resort & Casino, overseeing all business functions at one of California’s leading Tribal gaming properties. She brings decades of operational experience, including 15 years as General Manager of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, combining hands-on leadership with direction for Graton’s next phase.

Elizabeth Maya Cano, Cornazar: As Executive President of Cornazar, Elizabeth Maya Cano represents Colombia’s licensed gaming industry. Leading the national trade association, she plays an important role in regulatory and industry discussions, advocating for operators facing regulatory change, taxation, banking access and wider economic pressures.

Arthur Niggemann, Betano (Kaizen Gaming): Arthur Niggemann helped establish Betano as a leading gaming brand in Brazil and is now applying that experience across the Americas. In his expanded role, he supports growth through localized marketing reflecting each market’s cultural and sporting characteristics, combining regional strategy with a strong understanding of local audiences.

Erica Pinto, Jamul Indian Village: Erica Pinto has served the Jamul Indian Village of California for more than 27 years and became the Tribe’s first female Chairwoman in 2015. Under her leadership, the Tribe has strengthened its economic position while investing in healthcare, community programmes and opportunities for future generations.

Siobhan Lane, Light & Wonder: As CEO of Gaming at Light & Wonder, Siobhan Lane oversees the company’s global land-based gaming business. Under her leadership, its North American premium installed base has grown for 23 consecutive quarters, increasing by 2,550 units year-over-year in Q1 2026. Gaming Operations revenue rose 38%, while Table Products revenue grew 24%.

Eric Hession, Caesars Digital: As President of Caesars Digital, Eric Hession has transformed Caesars’ online gaming business into a more profitable part of the organization. In 2025, Caesars Digital generated $1.41bn in net revenue, up 21%. Q1 2026 delivered record revenue of $374m and adjusted EBITDA of $69m.

Nadia Popova, EGT: During 15 years with EGT, Nadia Popova has helped transform the company into a global gaming supplier, particularly in Latin America. She has led South American expansion through offices in Brazil and Argentina, market-entry strategies and local leadership.

Joseph Hillier, iGaming Ontario: As President and CEO of iGaming Ontario, Joseph Hillier led player protection through BetGuard, the organization’s coordinated, market-wide self-exclusion system. As North America’s first centralized system of its kind, its implementation required close coordination across government partners, operators and responsible gambling experts.

Robin Villarreal, Gila River Resorts & Casinos: Robin Villarreal is the first Native American female Chief Information Officer of Gila River Resorts & Casinos. She has led technology advancements and supported development projects across the portfolio, helping the enterprise evolve while maintaining Tribal values. Her technical leadership and commitment to developing future talent make her a Tribal gaming role model.

Richard Schwartz, Rush Street Interactive: As CEO of Rush Street Interactive, Richard Schwartz has built a successful online gaming business through a player-first approach. In 2025, RSI delivered record revenue of $1.13bn, up 23%, while adjusted EBITDA rose 66% to $153.7m and net income reached $74m. Investment in technology, customer experience and efficiency has supported profitable growth.

The Global Gaming Awards are powered by Global Gaming Insider, with KPMG US serving as the official voting adjudicator. Interblock is the Lead Partner of the event, joined by Gold Sponsors Soft2Bet, Aristocrat Gaming, NOVOMATIC, Light & Wonder and Playtech, and Silver Sponsors SPRIBE, Greentube, MGR Casino Chairs, Betting Jobs, BETER, LT Game, Games Global, IGT, FIRST.bet and Sightline Payments.