American Gaming Association names new CEO after Freeman resignation

Earlier this month, Geoff Freeman resigned as the head of the American Gaming Association (AGA). The group has now selected a new CEO to steer the ship, at least until a more permanent replacement is found. Stacy Papadopoulos, who has served as the AGA’s general counsel and senior VP of industry services, will fill the shoes as interim CEO while other candidates are considered to hold the position permanently.

Freeman resigned at the beginning of the month in a surprise announcement. The 43-year-old executive decided to leave in favor of a similar position with the Grocery Manufacturers Association. He had only been in the role for about a month and a half.

Leading the selection committee for a new AGA CEO is Tim Wilmott, Penn National Gaming’s CEO. Additional committee members include Rush Street Gaming CEO Greg Carlin and Bill Lance, secretary of commerce for the Chickasaw Nation. Lance represents the North American tribal gaming sector.

There are also several industry executives with ties to the Asia-Pacific market who are participating in the search. Among them are Mark Frissora, president and CEO of Caesars Entertainment Corp, Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, Trevor Croker, CEO and managing director of Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. and Ron Reese, senior vice president, global communications and corporate affairs at Las Vegas Sands Corp. All of the companies also have operations in Macau, and, with the exception of Aristocrat, are also interested in trying to expand into Japan once the country begins to authorize casino licenses.