AGA announces gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2023
Bill Anoatubby, Robert Miodunski, Jim Murren and Ellen Whittemore will be inducted.
Press release.- The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced the Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2023, honouring four leaders for their significant contributions to the industry:
- Bill Anoatubby, governor, Chickasaw Nation
- Robert Miodunski, former CEO, American Gaming Systems; Former President & CEO, Alliance Gaming and president, Bally Gaming
- Jim Murren, former chairman and CEO, MGM Resorts International
- Ellen Whittemore, executive vice president, General Counsel and Secretary, Wynn Resorts
AGA president and CEO Bill Miller, stated: “This year’s Gaming Hall of Fame class enshrines industry leaders that have positively transformed businesses and communities through their contributions to gaming.
“From leading casino and supplier operations to advancing industry regulation and tribal gaming, Bill, Ellen, Jim and Robert’s far-reaching impacts on gaming are indelible—and undoubtedly worthy of inclusion in the Hall of Fame.”
Since 1989, the Gaming Hall of Fame has recognized gaming legends, pioneers and business leaders for their lasting impacts on the industry. The Class of 2023 will be honoured during an invitation-only induction ceremony at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas this October.
AGA chairman of the Board & Hard Rock International chairman and Seminole gaming CEO Jim Allen, commented: “The Gaming Hall of Fame honours the diverse ways gaming leaders elevate our industry.
“This year’s class epitomizes this principle, and we look forward to celebrating their accomplishments at G2E 2023.”
Hall of Fame honorees are selected by an independent panel of gaming executives. This year’s selection committee members include:
- Brett Abarbanel, executive director, International Gaming Institute, UNLV
- Jim Allen, chairman, Hard Rock International and CEO, Seminole Gaming
- Kirsten Clark, executive director, International Association of Gaming Advisors
- John Connelly, CEO, Interblock
- Brian Hansberry, president, Gaming, Delaware North
- Bill Lance, secretary of state, Chickasaw Nation
- Mark Lipparelli, chairman, International Center for Responsible Gaming
- Cassie Stratford, SVP, Legal Operations & Compliance, Boyd Gaming; President and Chair, Global Gaming Women
- Howard Stutz, senior reporter, The Nevada Independent
Additional information about each inductee’s accomplishments:
Bill Anoatubby, governor, Chickasaw Nation
Anoatubby has served as Governor of the Chickasaw Nation since 1987. Early in his tenure, Anoatubby recognized the important role gaming could play in advancing sustainable economic development and self-determination for the tribe. Since 1987, gaming operations have helped drive the number of Chickasaw Nation employees from 250 to more than 14,000, expanding tribal assets two hundredfold.
As Governor, Anoatubby oversees the tribe’s operation of more than 100 diversified businesses—including 24 tribal gaming locations—generating funding for 200-plus programs and services that benefit education, healthcare, housing and more for Chickasaw families, Oklahomans and their communities. Anoatubby also played an integral role in establishing the Indian Gaming Association and Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, as well as negotiating the 2004 Oklahoma gaming compact which solidified the future of tribal gaming in the state. Under Governor Anoatubby’s direction, the Chickasaw Nation also places a strong emphasis on preserving and sharing its heritage, history, language and culture.
Robert Miodunski, former CEO, American Gaming Systems; former president & CEO, Alliance Gaming and president, Bally Gaming
As President of United Coin Machine Co. (a division of publicly traded Alliance Gaming Corp.) from 1994-99, Miodunski built the nation’s largest gaming route operation, totalling more than 8,000 gaming devices. He also led the development and launch of Gamblers Bonus, the first patented cardless player tracking and bonusing system for route operation in Nevada.
Promoted to President and CEO of Alliance Gaming and President of Bally Gaming in 1999, he led a team that resurrected the venerable Bally brand to its place as one of the global gaming industry’s top casino suppliers, eventually transforming into Bally Technologies.
Miodunski retired in 2004, then returned to the industry in 2010 to head American Gaming Systems (AGS) as CEO, expanding the company’s footprint in Class II and Class III gaming before AGS was acquired by a private equity firm in 2014. Most recently, Miodunski served as a board member of Golden Entertainment from 2015 to 2021.
Jim Murren, former chairman and CEO, MGM Resorts International
Murren is the former Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, serving in the role from 2008 to 2020. During his time leading MGM Resorts, Murren guided the company through the wake of the Great Recession, overhauled the company’s healthcare policy to better serve employees, led technological innovation in gaming, and drove increased tourism to Las Vegas.
Following his tenure at MGM Resorts, Murren headed Nevada’s Covid-19 Response, Relief, and Recovery Task Force as its gubernatorially appointed chairman, working closely with local government leaders and the private sector to secure personal protective equipment, establish a robust statewide testing system, and ensure Nevada students were provided with the resources to learn remotely.
Murren has also been an integral figure in bringing professional sports to Las Vegas, leading the construction of T-Mobile Arena, becoming a founding partner of the Vegas Golden Knights, organizing the purchase and relocation of the Las Vegas Aces, and more. He currently serves as Chairman and CEO of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
Ellen Whittemore, executive vice president, general counsel and secretary, Wynn Resorts
Whittemore serves as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary for Wynn Resorts. In her role, she leads the company’s global legal affairs as well as the entirety of its philanthropic, community relations and government affairs activities.
She has been instrumental in Wynn Resorts’ efforts to enhance its workplace culture as well as its corporate ethics and governance, and was integral in crafting the company’s global response to the pandemic. Whittemore is also a member of the board of directors of Wynn Macau, Limited.
Her legal career spans more than 30 years in gaming and hospitality, during which she has represented many of the industry’s largest companies in noteworthy regulatory matters. Before her career in private and corporate practice, Whittemore served in the Nevada Attorney General’s Office, Gaming Division, where she authored several Nevada Gaming Commission regulations that remain in place today.
Whittemore has long been an active community and industry leader and is the current Chair of the Nevada Resort Association and the former President of the International Association of Gaming Advisors.
