As July draws to a close, the gaming industry in North America experiences ongoing changes. Each week, the latest hires and departures among key players in U.S. commercial gaming are reported.
In a significant development, Light & Wonder is searching for a new chief product officer of iGaming and vice president of product following the exit of Eoghan O’Dwyer. O’Dwyer, who joined Light & Wonder in January 2024, marked his entry into a leadership role in gaming. He shared his departure via LinkedIn, stating, "I’ve finished up at Light & Wonder, bringing to a close a very rewarding period leading the iGaming Product organization. I’m proud of what we achieved during that time. We launched new products and rebuilt legacy ones, won important new customers, and put more focus on the value our products created for existing customers."
Before his tenure at Light & Wonder, O’Dwyer held the position of director of digital value creation and commercial growth at Virgin Media 02 for two years and spent almost a decade as a senior director of transformation and performance improvement at Alvarez & Marsal.
In other hiring news, Casino Cash Trac (CCT) has appointed Adam Fong as its new chief product officer. In his role, Fong will oversee product management and develop a long-term roadmap for CCT’s product evolution, as well as implement AI technologies. CCT CEO Kurt Williams remarked, "As CCT continues to grow, we wanted a product leader who understands both the technology behind our platform and the real-world challenges our customers face every day. Adam has built his career at that intersection. His experience will strengthen our product strategy, accelerate innovation, and help us continue delivering solutions that create meaningful value for casino operators."
Fong boasts extensive experience in gaming, having previously served in executive roles at Everi Holdings, Inc., where he was a senior VP of product management for five years. His background also includes positions at BMM Compliance and Global Cash Access.
On the legislative front, the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) has elected Georgia Rep. Al Williams as its new president. Williams, who has served as president-elect since 2023, was elected during the NCLGS summer meeting in San Diego. He succeeds Shawn Fluharty of West Virginia, who will now serve as an officer for the 2026-27 annual period. Williams expressed his honor in a statement, saying, "I am deeply honored to serve as President of NCLGS and grateful for the confidence my fellow legislators have placed in me. For more than two decades, I’ve worked to ensure that Georgia and states across the country approach gaming with integrity, responsibility, and a clear understanding of how these policies affect our communities. NCLGS is the only organization where lawmakers can come together openly and constructively to examine the fast‑changing gaming landscape."
Additionally, NCLGS members have elected four officers: West Virginia Sen. Jason Barrett as 1st Vice President, Massachusetts Rep. Michael Finn as 2nd Vice President, Kansas Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton as Secretary, and Ohio Sen. Bill DeMora as Treasurer.
Lastly, the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) has brought on its first international consultant on gambling policy, hiring Dr. Matt Gaskell. Currently a clinical lead for gambling harm clinics in the UK, Gaskell has significant experience in gambling harm prevention and policy. He stated, "I am honored to join PHAI and bring my expertise to protecting the public from the unacceptable harms associated with the modern commercial gambling industry and its sports partners. I look forward to bringing my expertise and strategic planning to PHAI, working alongside Dr. Richard Daynard, Professor Mark Gottlieb, and Dr. Harry Levant to further PHAI’s work in the months and years to come." Gaskell is also a member of the World Health Organization’s Expert Group on Gambling.
