The American Gaming Association (AGA) has announced Hard Rock International Chairman and Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen as its next chairman, replacing Aristocrat Technologies CEO and Managing Director Trevor Croker from January 2022.
Allen, who will serve a two-year term, has been a member of the AGA’s board of directors since 2015 and will bring his 20 years of experience leading all gaming, hospitality and entertainment operations for the Seminole Tribe of Florida to his new role as AGA Chairman.
“This is a pivotal juncture for the gaming industry and I’m honored to serve as the AGA’s next chairman,” said Allen. “The AGA has played an essential role in uniting the industry throughout the pandemic, and I’m 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 said Allen 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. The AGA and entire gaming community are indebted to his service to the industry.”
Miller himself recently signed a three-year extension to remain the AGA’s President and CEO. The Association said he has already advances a number of key priorities since joining in 2019, including accelerating gaming’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, securing a favorable regulatory environment for the industry to help pave the way for casino payments modernization and other industry innovation, expanding responsible gaming efforts and amplifying the industry’s voice through relationships on Capitol Hill.