Niaz Nejad appointed Light & Wonder Managing Director of Gaming, Americas

Nejad comes from over 25 years of leadership experience, most recently as SVP and Head of Marketing for US and Canada at Aristocrat Gaming.

Light & Wonder, cross-platform casino game provider, has announced that Niaz Nejad has been appointed as Managing Director of Gaming, Americas. She will take on her role later this year.

Nejad most recently served as SVP and Head of Marketing at Aristocrat Gaming, for its US and Canada divisions. Prior to her roles at Aristocrat, Nejad was COO for the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission.

While there, she established the company’s provincial gambling and cannabis strategic direction, coordinated the corporate portfolio, aided in a ‘digital transformation’ and provided revenue forecasts.

Over $1.4bn in annual net revenues from slot machines, video lottery terminals, electronic bingo and lottery tickets was generated during her time in gaming development and marketing.

Siobhan Lane, Light & Wonder CEO of Gaming, said, “I have had the pleasure of working with Niaz within our industry for many years, and I know her values, industry and business experience, as well as her people-centric leadership approach are the perfect fit for our team.”

Lane herself, meanwhile, is also a former Aristocrat exec.

In addition to cannabis and gaming industry roles, Nejad also has over 25 years of leadership experience within other industries including IT, retail, and banking.

Lane continued, “As we continue to grow in the Americas, and around the world, I can think of no one better than Niaz to help strategically lead us in the right direction.”

Siobhan Lane was interviewed by our sister publication Gambling Insider for our CEO Special in January this year, where she spoke about her team’s talent and ‘making every individual feel their superpower is valuable.’

Light & Wonder also recently signed a three-year deal with Gift & Go, focused on reaching the US market in more than 70 casinos throughout the States.  

Stephanie Feeley

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