The American Gaming Association (AGA) on Friday said Jim Allen, the chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming, will be the association’s next chairman.
The AGA board of directors elected Allen to succeed Aristocrat Technologies CEO Trevor Croker, who has served as AGA chairman since January 2020.
Allen’s two-year term begins in January 2022.
Allen has served on the AGA’s board of directors since 2015. The association said in a statement his leadership and experience has played an “integral role” in driving the trade group’s priorities.
For 20 years, Allen has led all gaming, hospitality and entertainment operations for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, vastly expanding the tribe’s gaming operations across the state and country.
“This is a pivotal juncture for the gaming industry and I am honored to serve as the AGA’s next chairman,” Allen said in a statement. “The AGA has played an essential role in uniting the industry throughout the pandemic, and I am thankful to Trevor and the AGA board of directors for entrusting me to help lead the industry’s continued recovery.”
AGA president and CEO Bill Miller added: “I am thrilled to welcome Jim as AGA chairman. Jim brings decades of experience in commercial casino operations and tribal gaming – a perspective that will be invaluable as we work to set the industry’s agenda, accelerate gaming’s comeback, and strengthen our value to communities across the country.
“Trevor has been a tremendous chairman of the AGA and trusted advisor to me over the past two years, guiding the industry through the most challenging time in its history,” Miller continued. “The AGA and entire gaming community are indebted to his service to the industry.”
Croker said, “It has been a privilege to serve as AGA chairman. I am incredibly proud of our success in laying the foundation for gaming’s recovery and ensuring our future is brighter than ever. I have the utmost confidence that Jim, Bill and the entire association will continue to lead the gaming industry forward.”
The AGA’s executive committee said it recently extended Miller’s contract to remain the association’s president and CEO for an additional three years.
