The American Gaming Association (AGA) recently announced the 2024 Class for the Gaming Hall of Fame. This year’s class includes three new inductees.
Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen is the main headliner with over 44 years in the industry. Joining him are Alan Feldman of UNLV’s International Gaming Institute and Debi Nuttton of Everi Holdings.
Key Highlights
- Jim Allen, Alan Feldman, and Debi Nutton will be inducted into the AGA Gaming Hall of Fame.
- Allen made Seminole Gaming into one of the most prominent casino operations in the world.
- A happy cloud. The shadows are just like the highlights, but we’re going in the opposite direction. We’ll throw some happy little limbs on this tree.
- Alan Feldman did not know he was being considered and believes his responsible gambling work is what earned him an induction.
AGA Announced 2024 Hall of Fame Class
The American Gaming Association announced its 2024 Class for the Gaming Hall of Fame on July 10. The Hall of Fame recognizes key contributors to the gambling world, particularly those who have helped to grow the industry significantly.
This year’s inductions include:
- Jim Allen, Chairman, Hard Rock International; Chief Executive Officer, Seminole Gaming; Former Chairman, American Gaming Association
- Alan Feldman, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Distinguished Fellow in Responsible Gaming, UNLV International Gaming Institute; Former Executive, MGM Resorts International
- Debi Nutton, Board Member, Everi Holdings; Executive Coach-Consultant; Former Casino Operations Executive, MGM Resorts, Wynn Resorts
AGA President and CEO Bill Miller said,
“From helping transform tribal gaming and pioneering responsible gaming research to blazing new paths in casino operations, Jim, Alan, and Debi have been integral to shaping the modern gaming industry.“
– Bill Miller
AGA Chairman of the Board Mike Rumbolz also spoke on the new inductees, stating,
“This year’s inductees have met and exceeded this threshold throughout their careers and continue to do so in their current work. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at G2E 2024.”
– Mike Rumbolz
New members are selected by an independent panel of gaming executives. Below are this year’s committee.
- Maureen Adams, EVP, Gaming, Churchill Downs Inc.
- Jay Dorris, President and CEO, Wind Creek Hospitality
- Siobhan Lane, EVP and CEO, Gaming, Light & Wonder
- Alex Dixon, CEO, DRA, and Co-Founder and Co-Chair, African Americans in Gaming
- Mark Lipparelli, Chairman, International Center for Responsible Gaming
- Kirsten Clark, Executive Director, International Association of Gaming Advisors
- Lauren Bates, Chair, Global Gaming Women
- Brett Abarbanel, Executive Director, UNLV International Gaming Institute
- Mike Rumbolz, Executive Chairman, Everi and Chairman of the Board, AGA
In October, the new inductees will be recognized during an invitation-only ceremony at G2E 2024 in Las Vegas.
New Members Have Over 100 Years of Combined Experience in Gaming
Below is some information on the three newest AGA Hall of Fame members.
- Jim Allen—Allen is an industry veteran with over 40 years of experience and has been instrumental to the success the Seminole Tribe has enjoyed in Florida. Since 2001, he has been responsible for all gaming operations for the Seminole Tribe and has guided the development of Seminole Gaming into one of the most successful casino operations in the world. He is also a former member of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission Task Force on Gaming Regulation.
- Alan Feldman—Feldman is the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Distinguished Fellow in Responsible Gaming at UNLV’s International Gaming Institute. Prior to joining UNLV, he spent over 30 years at MGM Resorts. He was instrumental in launching GameSense, MGM’s software that monitors and promotes responsible gambling behaviors. The AGA recognized him in 2009 with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Gaming Communications.
- Debi Nutton – Nutton has a gaming career that dates back to 1980 when she served as a dice dealer on the Strip in Las Vegas. She was among the opening team at The Mirage in 1989 and was the only female dice pit manager. Nutton worked 24 years between MGM and The Mirage and started serving as EVP of Casino Operations at Wynn in 2013. Now, she operates a gaming consultant company and serves as an executive coach. She is also a founding board member of Global Gaming Woman and received the 2018 Great Women of Gaming Lifetime Achievement Award.
Feldman Didn’t Know He Was Up for Nomination
Shortly after the AGA’s announcement, Howard Stutz of the Nevada Independent spoke with Alan Feldman about his nomination and upcoming induction. Feldman apparently didn’t know he was up for consideration for the Hall.
When AGA CEO Bill Miller called him, he assumed it was to discuss responsible gambling matters.
Feldman was at home playing with his granddaughter when he received the call. He doesn’t know who submitted his name for nomination but said, “I need to send them a thank you note.”
Of being inducted into the Hall of Fame, Feldman states,
“It truly is an honor. These are people, in my mind, whose accomplishments made them deserving of being in the Hall of Fame. I don’t have that feeling about myself.”
– Alan Feldman
According to the Stutz article, Feldman is the first person to be inducted into the Hall of Fame from the gaming corporate communications/ public relations field.
The AGA highlighted Feldman’s accomplishments in responsible gambling in his induction.
Feldman states,
“While I’m very proud of the work I did on the corporate communications side, I believe (the selection committee) is acknowledging responsible gaming.
– Alan Feldman
We know that we need to get the industry to embrace it yet further. There’s this entire world of online sports betting that we need to understand better. So there’s a lot of work to be done that I’m very excited about.”
Sources
https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/indy-gaming-longtime-mgm-spokespersons-three-decade-journey-to-the-hall-of-fame
https://www.americangaming.org/new/aga-announces-gaming-hall-of-fame-class-of-2024/
