The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced the 2025 inductees into the Gaming Hall of Fame, recognizing three individuals whose careers have profoundly shaped the legal gaming industry:

• David Berman, Co-Head of Macquarie Capital, Americas and Global Head of Consumer, Gaming & Leisure

• Ann Simmons Nicholson, Founder and CEO, Simmons Group

• Charles Lombardo, Former Senior Vice President of Gaming Operations at Seminole Hard Rock Gaming, and former Senior Vice President of Slot Operations for Caesars Palace, Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas.

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“The Gaming Hall of Fame honors the visionaries who’ve shaped today’s gaming industry. David, Ann, and Charlie have each made lasting contributions to the growth, integrity, and leadership of legal gaming, and we’re proud to recognize their impact,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller.

“This year’s inductees reflect the strength, diversity, and expertise that define our industry. The Gaming Hall of Fame honors leaders whose careers exemplify excellence and enduring influence – and these three couldn’t be more deserving of this recognition,” said AGA Chairman Mike Rumbolz (Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2022).

Since 1989, the Gaming Hall of Fame has celebrated the achievements of industry legends who have driven the commercial and tribal gaming industry forward. The Class of 2025 will be formally inducted at an invitation-only ceremony during the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas this October.

This year’s selection committee members include:

• Mike Palm, VP, Operations, Circa Resorts

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• Anika Howard, CEO, Wondr Nation

• Ryan Comstock, COO, Ainsworth and Chair, AGEM

• Debi Nutton, Industry Consultant and Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2024

• Mark Lipparelli, Chairman Emeritus, International Center for Responsible Gaming

• Kirsten Clark, Executive Director, IAGA

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• Lauren Bates, VP, Sales, Light & Wonder and Chair, Global Gaming Women

• Brett Abarbanel, Executive Director, UNLV International Gaming Institute

• Mike Rumbolz, Chairman, AGA

About the 2025 Inductees

David Berman, Co-Head of Macquarie Capital, Americas and Global Head of Consumer, Gaming & Leisure

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David Berman has more than three decades of experience in gaming mergers & acquisitions and capital markets, having led more than 100 mergers & acquisitions worth more than $125 billion and helped clients raise more than $215 billion in debt and equity. He founded REGAL Capital Advisors, a gaming-focused advisory firm acquired by Macquarie in 2011, and previously held senior roles at Credit Suisse, CIBC World Markets, and Oppenheimer & Co. Berman currently serves on the Board of Leaders at USC’s Marshall School of Business and is Treasurer of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation.

Ann Simmons Nicholson, CEO and founder of Simmons Group

Ann Simmons Nicholson is an expert in strategic planning and organizational consulting. Over her 40-year career, she has worked with nearly every major gaming company, supporting more than 60 property openings, expansions, and acquisitions. Her expertise spans human capital strategy, leadership development, organizational culture, and executive coaching, and her firm has provided training to more than 27,000 gaming professionals globally. A dedicated community leader and advocate, she has served on board including United Way of Southern Nevada, Global Gaming Women, and Noah’s Animal House.

Charles Lombardo, Former Senior Vice President of Gaming Operations at Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International, and former Senior Vice President of Slot Operations for Caesars Palace, Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas

With more than 50 years of experience in slot operations and game innovation, Charles Lombardo has helped define the modern casino experience. He has held senior leadership roles at Caesars Palace, Bally’s, Paris Las Vegas, and Seminole Gaming, where he led the development of Class II and III gaming standards, pioneered groundbreaking slot technologies, and helped shape state and tribal regulatory frameworks. Today, he continues to consult on game development and casino openings and serves as a special gaming advisor to Seminole Gaming. Lombardo was the first-ever inductee into the Eilers Hall of Fame for Slot Operations.

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The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced the launch of the Play Smart Consumer Hub, a new online resource designed to help consumers game responsibly. The hub builds on AGA’s Play Smart from the Start, a messaging platform that encourages players to make informed choices and develop habits that keep gaming fun.

“The AGA is committed to making responsible gaming a seamless part of the player experience. Part of the fun of gaming is that everyone plays differently, but no matter how or where you play, staying in control starts with habits that work for you. The Play Smart Consumer Hub provides players with straightforward, actionable tools to help them stay in control and keep gaming fun,” said Bill Miller, president and CEO of the AGA.

Grounded in player research, Play Smart from the Start centers around three key principles:

• Right State of Mind: Start every game with the right mindset—stay present, know your limits, and play on your terms.

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• Know the Game: Understand the rules, odds, and bet with intention.

• Act Intentionally: Set a budget, take breaks, and stay aware, win or lose.

The Play Smart Consumer Hub offers practical tools, including:

• A Pre-Play Checklist to help players assess their mindset and set personal limits before betting.

• A Know the Game section that demystifies odds, house advantage, and common sports betting terms.

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• A Responsible Gaming IQ Quiz that allows players to evaluate their gaming habits.

• Easy access to support resources like the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) and state self-exclusion options.

In addition to the consumer tools, the platform also features an Industry Toolkit, providing operators and other stakeholders with resources, including messaging guidance, creative assets, customer communications and activation ideas to support the integration of consistent, responsible gaming programs.

“Whether an operator or supplier is building a new responsible gaming program or looking to refresh existing efforts, this toolkit makes it easy to deliver consistent, player-first messaging across every customer touchpoint,” Miller said.

The Play Smart Consumer Hub is now live at playsmartfromthestart.org.

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The American Gaming Association (AGA) estimates that Americans will legally wager $3.1 billion on the men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments this year, up from $2.7 billion in 2024. This growth underscores the expanding legal sports betting market and the growing trust in legal wagering options. 

“March Madness is one of the most exciting times in American sports, with fans fired up for both the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments,” said AGA SVP of Strategic Communications Joe Maloney. “As legal wagering expands across the U.S., more fans than ever have the opportunity to bet legally and responsibly.” 

Throughout the month of March, Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly. campaign will serve important messages to fans, encouraging responsible sports betting. The campaign promotes five key principles: 

• Set a Budget: Determine how much you are willing to spend and stick to it. 

• Keep it Social: Betting should be a form of entertainment shared with others. 

• Know the Odds: Understand the games and your chances of winning. 

• Play Legally: Use regulated, legal betting platforms.  

• Keep Your Cool: The result of a bet – win or lose – is not an invitation to criticize players, coaches, or officials online or in-person.  

“‘Keep Your Cool,’ our newest ‘Have A Game Plan’ principle, is all about keeping betting fun and respecting the game – no matter how unpredictable March Madness becomes,” Maloney added. 

Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn PASPA in 2018, legal sports betting has expanded to 38 states and Washington, D.C., offering consumers safe and regulated options to engage with their favorite sports. Americans’ support for legal sports betting continues to grow. According to the AGA’s 2024 American Attitudes Survey, 75% of Americans support legal sports wagering in their home state, and 90% view sports betting as an acceptable form of entertainment. 

For more information on responsible sports betting, visit www.haveagameplan.org. 

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