While the full Shortlist across all categories will be announced shortly, today we reveal the nominees for one of the most closely watched categories – Executive of the Year.
Now firmly established as the industry’s most respected awards programme, the Global Gaming Awards Asia-Pacific celebrate the companies and leaders driving progress across the region. The Awards are recognised for their strict and transparent process, with every stage designed to ensure fairness and credibility.
The Executive of the Year category recognises individuals whose leadership, strategic direction and ability to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape have made an impact on the Asia-Pacific gaming industry over the past year.
“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 also shown adaptability, long-term vision and a clear understanding of how the industry is evolving.,” she added.
Listed in no particular order, the 2026 Executive of the Year Shortlist for the Global Gaming Awards Asia-Pacific is presented below, along with the reasons each of the eight executives has been shortlisted.
Andy Tsui, President, DigiPlus: Andy Tsui has driven exceptional growth and innovation at DigiPlus throughout the years. Under his leadership, the company strengthened its dominant Philippine market position, expanded regionally via a Singapore hub and scaled its flagship platforms BingoPlus and ArenaPlus. With strong financial performance and a clear global vision, Tsui has demonstrated strategic excellence, resilience and transformative impact.
Wilma Eisma, President & COO, PAGCOR: Bringing extensive experience across both government and the private sector, Wilma Eisma was appointed PAGCOR President and COO in 2024, a move widely recognised as a significant asset to the organisation. Since then, she has played a key role in guiding the regulator through a period of major transition, successfully steering the Philippine gambling market into a new post-POGO era while strengthening regulatory oversight. Under her leadership, PAGCOR introduced stricter advertising guidelines and enhanced collaboration with industry stakeholders, while also driving impactful CSR, community outreach and responsible gaming initiatives.
Lawrence Ho, Chairman & CEO, Melco Resorts & Entertainment: Lawrence Ho continues to demonstrate strong leadership as Chairman and CEO of Melco Resorts, driving its growth into a globally recognised integrated resort operator. Over more than two decades, he has redefined premium entertainment, building a portfolio that has earned more Forbes and MICHELIN accolades than any industry peer. In 2025, he advanced Melco’s international expansion with the opening of City of Dreams Sri Lanka, marking its entry into South Asia and reinforcing a strategy focused on distinctive, world class destinations and diversified entertainment.
Lee Shi Ruh, President & COO, Genting Singapore: With a proven track record spanning more than a decade as CFO of Genting Singapore, Lee Shi Ruh was promoted to President and COO in 2025, alongside her role as CEO of Resorts World Sentosa, reflecting strong confidence in her leadership as the group enters its next phase of growth. Since stepping into this expanded role, she has driven key strategic initiatives and operational improvements. Under her stewardship, Genting Singapore has maintained one of the strongest balance sheets in the regional leisure sector, demonstrating disciplined execution and a clear focus on sustainable, long-term growth.
Michael Hu, President, Asia-Pacific, Interblock: Michael Hu has driven the growth of electronic table gaming across Asia-Pacific for more than two decades, establishing Interblock as a trusted partner to casino operators throughout the region. Under his leadership, the company has completed over 20,000 installations, expanded into markets including Taiwan, Vietnam, Laos and Korea, and strengthened its presence in Macau, the Philippines, Cambodia and Malaysia.
Jaclyn Wood, CEO, The Lottery Office: Jaclyn Wood's leadership philosophy is simple: support your people, and results follow. In 2025, that approach drove significant growth at Australia’s The Lottery Office while building a high performing, aligned team culture. She's navigated a compliance-heavy industry with clarity and commercial discipline, all while representing the brand with rare professionalism. Her calm, considered style sets the standard for executives in the gaming industry.
Joe Pisano, Founder & CEO, Jade Entertainment and Gaming Technologies: Few leaders in the Asian gaming industry have demonstrated the vision, resilience and transformative leadership that Joe Pisano has consistently delivered. As the driving force behind Jade Entertainment and Gaming Technologies, Pisano has played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of the gaming and entertainment landscape in the Philippines and across Asia. Under his leadership, Jade has become one of the region’s most respected and influential gaming tech companies.
David Tsai, CEO, Crown Resorts: After a turbulent period for Crown Resorts, David Tsai has displayed unwavering leadership and definitive strategic direction, steering the operator back into profitability in late 2025 for the first time in five years. Tsai has also led a difficult but necessary period of scaling back costs across multiple of the casino's properties with professionalism and integrity, elsewhere unveiling grand plans for Crown Melbourne after retaining licenses following strategic reviews at the operator’s properties across Australia.
The Global Gaming Awards Asia-Pacific are powered by Global Gaming Insider and independently adjudicated by KPMG US, ensuring the highest level of integrity throughout the voting process. Interblock is the Lead Partner of this year’s event and other sponsors include Aristocrat Gaming, Spribe, Z-Gaming, DSTGaming, LT Game, BK8 and Bet88.
Winners will be determined by a panel of senior industry executives from across the Asia-Pacific region, with strict voting rules in place to maintain transparency and avoid conflicts of interest.
The full Shortlist across all categories will be published here on Global Gaming Insider in the coming days.
The winners will be announced at an exclusive luncheon ceremony during the SiGMA Asia Summit in Manila on 2 June.
