Gaming Hall of Fame

The Gaming Hall of Fame was established in 1989 to recognize individuals who have played a significant role in the gaming-entertainment industry.[1]

The Gaming Hall of Fame Ceremony takes place annually during G2E Las Vegas and is organized by the American Gaming Association (AGA) and its members to honor achievements in industry leadership and entertainment. Induction into the Gaming Hall of Fame is the highest honor accorded by the gaming-entertainment industry. Each year, individuals who have distinguished themselves through significant contributions to the industry receive this distinction. More than 100 people have been inducted into the Gaming Hall of Fame since its inception in 1989.[2]

Inductees[edit]

People who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame are listed below, with their year of induction.[2]

Year Inductees Known For
2023 Bill Anoatubby Governor of the Chickasaw Nation
Robert Miodunski Executive at AGS and United Coin Machine
Jim Murren CEO of MGM Resorts International
Ellen Whittemore Executive at Wynn Resorts
2022 Gavin Isaacs Gaming industry executive
Virginia McDowell Executive at Isle of Capri
Michael D. Rumbolz Executive at Everi and Chairman of the American Gaming Association
2021 Jeremy M. Jacobs Chairman of Delaware North
Jim Shore General counsel of the Seminole Tribe
Knute Knudson, Jr. Executive at IGT
2020 James R. Maida Co-founder of Gaming Laboratories International
Jeffrey A. Silver Attorney
Dr. Mark Yoseloff Chairman and CEO of Shuffle Master
2019 Elaine Hodgson Co-founder of Incredible Technologies
Stanley Mallin Co-founder of Caesars Palace and Circus Circus
Ernie Moody Slot machine pioneer
2018 Peter Carlino CEO of Gaming and Leisure Properties
Richard Haddrill Chairman and CEO of Bally Technologies
Philip Hannifin Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board
Steven Perskie New Jersey state legislator, led effort to legalize casinos in Atlantic City
2017 Diana Bennett Co-founder and CEO of Paragon Gaming
John Breeding Founder and CEO of Shuffle Master
Joe Kaminkow Slot machine designer
Mel Wolzinger Casino investor
2016 John Acres Founder of Acres Manufacturing
Lyle Berman Cofounder of Grand Casinos
Don Brinkerhoff Landscape architect
Redinia Gilliam-Mosee Atlantic City casino executive
Richard A. "Skip" Hayward Led effort to gain recognition for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, enabling the development of Foxwoods Resort Casino
2015 Victor Salerno Co-founder, chairman and CEO of American Wagering Inc.
Larry Woolf Chairman, President and CEO of MGM Resorts International
Lynn Valbuena Chairwoman of San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
2014 Patricia Becker Gaming attorney; president of the International Association of Gaming Attorneys
Jan Jones Blackhurst Mayor of Las Vegas, executive at Caesars Entertainment
Robert Faiss Gaming attorney
Ernest L. Stevens, Jr. Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association
2013 Gary Loveman CEO of Caesars Entertainment
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. Founder of the American Gaming Association
Celine Dion Singer
Guy Savoy Restaurateur at Caesars Palace
2012 Dennis Gomes CEO and co-owner of Resorts Casino Hotel
William Raggio United States Senator from Nevada
Guy Laliberte Founder of Cirque du Soleil
Julian Serrano Restaurateur at Las Vegas casinos
2011 Sheldon G. Adelson Chairman of Las Vegas Sands
William Eadington Academic who studied the gaming industry
Blue Man Group Performance artists at Las Vegas casinos
Charlie Palmer Restaurateur at Nevada casinos
2010 Tim Parrott CEO of Shuffle Master
2009 Michael Gaughan Founder of Coast Casinos
2008 Bernard Goldstein Founder of Isle of Capri Casinos, "father of riverboat gaming"
Robert Arum Boxing promoter
Don King Boxing promoter
Emeril Lagasse Restaurateur at casinos
2007 John Wilhelm President of Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union
Clifford Perlman CEO of Caesars World
David Copperfield Magician at casinos
Michael Mina Restaurateur at Las Vegas casinos
2006 Steve Wynn Chairman of Mirage Resorts, founder of Wynn Resorts
Alex Stratta Restaurateur at Las Vegas casinos
Franco Dragone Director of Cirque du Soleil shows and Le Rêve
2005 Craig H. Neilsen Founder of Ameristar Casinos
Larry Ruvo Liquor distributor in Las Vegas, philanthropist
Debbie Reynolds Singer at casinos
Wolfgang Puck Restaurateur at casinos
2004 Fred Benniger Chairman of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and MGM Grand, Inc.
Jack Binion Founder of Horseshoe Gaming
Don Rickles Comedian at casinos
2003 Phil Satre Chairman and CEO of Harrah's
Tom Jones Singer at casinos
2002 Merv Griffin Owner of Resorts International, investor in Players International
2001 Harry Reid United States Senator from Nevada, chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission
Paul Anka Singer at casinos
Rick Hill Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association
2000 J. Terrence Lanni Chairman of MGM Mirage, executive of Caesars World
Wayne Newton Singer at casinos
1999 Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme Singers at casinos
Elaine Wynn Director of Mirage Resorts and Wynn Resorts, philanthropist
Jack Entratter Executive at the Sands Hotel
1998 Siegfried & Roy Magicians at casinos
Anthony Marnell, II Architect; Chairman and CEO of Rio Hotel & Casino
Lud Corrao Architect
J.K. Houssels, Jr. Chairman of Showboat
Thomas Young, Sr. Founder of Young Electric Sign Company
1997 Charles Mathewson Chairman and CEO of IGT
Frak Sinatra Singer at casinos
1996 Donald Carano Founder of Eldorado Resort Casino
Paul Endy Founder of Paul-Son Gaming Group
Michael Rose Attorney; Chairman of Holiday Corp.
1995 Len Ainsworth Founder of Aristocrat Leisure
Burton Cohen Executive at the Desert Inn
Donald Trump Developer of casinos in Atlantic City and Indiana
1994 Frank Modica Executive at Showboat
Bud and Jean Jones Founder and CEO of Bud Jones Co.
1993 William Boyd Co-founder of Boyd Gaming
Henry Gluck Chairman of Caesars World
Harvey and Llewellyn Gross Founders of Harveys Resort & Casino
Leonard Prescott Chairman of Little Six
1992 John Ascuaga Founder of Nugget Casino Resort
Sol Kerzner Developer of casinos in South Africa and at Paradise Island
Claudine Williams Chairwoman of Harrah's
1991 Sam Boyd Cofounder of Boyd Gaming
James Crosby Chairman of Resorts International
Kirk Kerkorian Founder of MGM Resorts International, developer of the International Hotel and MGM Grand Hotel and Casino
Don Laughlin Namesake of Laughlin, Nevada, developer of the Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino
Bill Pennington Executive at Circus Circus
William "Si" Redd Founder of International Game Technology
1990 Bill Bennett Cofounder of Circus Circus Enterprises, owner of the Sahara Hotel and Casino
Benny Binion Owner of Binion's Horseshoe, founder of the World Series of Poker
Jackie Gaughan Owner of several casinos in Downtown Las Vegas
Barron Hilton President of Hilton Hotels
Raymond Smith Co-founder of Harold's Club
1989 Warren Nelson Owner of Club Cal-Neva
Jay Sarno Developer of Caesars Palace and Circus Circus Las Vegas
William Harrah Developer of Harrah's Reno and Harrah's Lake Tahoe
Grant Sawyer Governor of Nevada, influential in development of gaming regulations
E. Parry Thomas Banker who financed numerous casinos in Las Vegas

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ "The Gaming Hall of Fame". University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 2009-02-12. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
  2. ^ a b "The Gaming Hall of Fame". UNLV Center for Gaming Research. Archived from the original on 2012-03-18. Retrieved 2018-10-01.

External links[edit]