The American Gaming Association (AGA) has announced the Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2026, honoring four industry leaders whose contributions have significantly shaped the legal gaming industry.
The 2026 inductees are Holly Gagnon, Board Member, Bragg Gaming Group; Bill G. Lance Jr., Secretary of State, Chickasaw Nation; Scott Olive, Principal and Founder, HRG Studios; and Timothy J. “Tim” Wilmott, Retired Chief Executive Officer, PENN Entertainment.
“The Gaming Hall of Fame recognizes the individuals whose vision, innovation, and dedication have helped shape today’s legal gaming industry,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “Holly, Bill, Scott, and Tim have each left a lasting mark through decades of service and leadership. Their contributions have set a high standard for those who follow.”
AGA Chairman Lou Jacobs added that this year’s class reflects the diversity of the gaming industry, representing commercial and tribal gaming operators as well as gaming suppliers.
“Each of them has helped advance gaming in significant ways, and we’re proud to welcome them to the Gaming Hall of Fame,” Jacobs added.
Established in 1989, the Gaming Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose achievements have advanced the commercial and tribal gaming sectors. The Class of 2026 will be formally inducted during an invitation-only ceremony at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas this fall.
The 2026 Gaming Hall of Fame selection committee was composed of industry leaders from across the gaming sector. Members included Eric Schippers, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs & Government Relations at PENN Entertainment; Mark Fulton, President of Cherokee Nation Entertainment; Trevor Croker, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Aristocrat Technologies; Sherri Sosa, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Hard Rock Las Vegas Hotel & Casino; and Mark Lipparelli, Chairman Emeritus of the International Center for Responsible Gaming.
Also serving on the committee were Kirsten Clark, Executive Director of the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA); Siobhan Lane, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Gaming at Light & Wonder, and Chair of Global Gaming Women; Dr. Brett Abarbanel, Executive Director of the UNLV International Gaming Institute; and Lou Jacobs, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Delaware North and Chairman of the American Gaming Association.
Gagnon, a board member of Bragg Gaming Group, began her 34-year gaming career at Foxwoods Resort Casino. She later held senior leadership positions at Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International before serving as president and CEO of Pearl River Resort, CEO of Chumash Enterprises for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, and CEO of Seneca Gaming Corporation.
Recognized as the 2016 NAFOA Executive of the Year, Gagnon has been a strong advocate for tribal economic development and executive leadership development through Global Gaming Women and the UNLV International Gaming Institute.
Lance, who serves as Secretary of State of the Chickasaw Nation, oversaw more than 60 businesses across gaming, hospitality, retail, media, manufacturing, and tourism, employing around 7,000 people. He also led the Chickasaw Nation Health System during the development of the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center in Ada, Oklahoma. Lance now serves as Secretary of State, representing the Chickasaw Nation in civic, business, and governmental affairs.
Olive, principal and founder of HRG Studios, is known for helping expand the popularity of penny and Australian-style slot machines in the United States during his time at Aristocrat Gaming. After co-founding True Blue Gaming in 2007, he established HRG Studios in 2012, where he developed some of the gaming industry’s most commercially successful slot titles.
Meanwhile, Wilmott spent more than 30 years in the gaming industry, including serving as Chief Executive Officer of Penn National Gaming from 2013 until his retirement in 2019. He previously held the roles of president and chief operating officer and, before joining Penn National, served as chief operating officer of Harrah’s Entertainment and president of its Eastern Division. His leadership career began with various executive positions at Harrah’s properties starting in 1988.