Gaming Hall of Fame explained

Gaming Hall of Fame should not be confused with World Video Game 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

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

!Year!Inductees!Known For
2023Bill AnoatubbyGovernor of the Chickasaw Nation
Robert MiodunskiExecutive at AGS and United Coin Machine
Jim MurrenCEO of MGM Resorts International
Ellen WhittemoreExecutive at Wynn Resorts
2022Gavin IsaacsGaming industry executive
Virginia McDowellExecutive at Isle of Capri
Michael D. RumbolzExecutive at Everi and Chairman of the American Gaming Association
2021Jeremy M. JacobsChairman of Delaware North
Jim ShoreGeneral counsel of the Seminole Tribe
Knute Knudson, Jr.Executive at IGT
2020James R. MaidaCo-founder of Gaming Laboratories International
Jeffrey A. SilverAttorney
Dr. Mark YoseloffChairman and CEO of Shuffle Master
2019Elaine HodgsonCo-founder of Incredible Technologies
Stanley MallinCo-founder of Caesars Palace and Circus Circus
Ernie MoodySlot machine pioneer
2018Peter CarlinoCEO of Gaming and Leisure Properties
Richard HaddrillChairman and CEO of Bally Technologies
Philip HannifinChairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board
Steven PerskieNew Jersey state legislator, led effort to legalize casinos in Atlantic City
2017Diana BennettCo-founder and CEO of Paragon Gaming
John BreedingFounder and CEO of Shuffle Master
Joe KaminkowSlot machine designer
Mel WolzingerCasino investor
2016John AcresFounder of Acres Manufacturing
Lyle BermanCofounder of Grand Casinos
Don BrinkerhoffLandscape architect
Redinia Gilliam-MoseeAtlantic City casino executive
Richard A. "Skip" HaywardLed effort to gain recognition for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, enabling the development of Foxwoods Resort Casino
2015Victor SalernoCo-founder, chairman and CEO of American Wagering Inc.
Larry WoolfChairman, President and CEO of MGM Resorts International
Lynn ValbuenaChairwoman of San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
2014Patricia BeckerGaming attorney; president of the International Association of Gaming Attorneys
Jan Jones Blackhurst
Robert FaissGaming attorney
Ernest L. Stevens, Jr.Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association
2013Gary LovemanCEO of Caesars Entertainment
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.Founder of the American Gaming Association
Celine DionSinger
Guy SavoyRestaurateur at Caesars Palace
2012Dennis GomesCEO and co-owner of Resorts Casino Hotel
William RaggioUnited States Senator from Nevada
Guy LaliberteFounder of Cirque du Soleil
Julian SerranoRestaurateur at Las Vegas casinos
2011Sheldon G. AdelsonChairman of Las Vegas Sands
William EadingtonAcademic who studied the gaming industry
Blue Man GroupPerformance artists at Las Vegas casinos
Charlie PalmerRestaurateur at Nevada casinos
2010Tim ParrottCEO of Shuffle Master
2009Michael Gaughan
2008Bernard GoldsteinFounder of Isle of Capri Casinos, "father of riverboat gaming"
Robert ArumBoxing promoter
Don KingBoxing promoter
Emeril LagasseRestaurateur at casinos
2007John WilhelmPresident of Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union
Clifford PerlmanCEO of Caesars World
David CopperfieldMagician at casinos
Michael MinaRestaurateur at Las Vegas casinos
2006Steve WynnChairman of Mirage Resorts, founder of Wynn Resorts
Alex StrattaRestaurateur at Las Vegas casinos
Franco DragoneDirector of Cirque du Soleil shows and Le RĂªve
2005Craig H. NeilsenFounder of Ameristar Casinos
Larry RuvoLiquor distributor in Las Vegas, philanthropist
Debbie ReynoldsSinger at casinos
Wolfgang PuckRestaurateur at casinos
2004Fred BennigerChairman of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and MGM Grand, Inc.
Jack BinionFounder of Horseshoe Gaming
Don RicklesComedian at casinos
2003Phil SatreChairman and CEO of Harrah's
Tom JonesSinger at casinos
2002Merv GriffinOwner of Resorts International, investor in Players International
2001Harry ReidUnited States Senator from Nevada, chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission
Paul AnkaSinger at casinos
Rick HillChairman of the Indian Gaming Association
2000J. Terrence LanniChairman of MGM Mirage, executive of Caesars World
Wayne NewtonSinger at casinos
1999Steve Lawrence & Eydie GormeSingers at casinos
Elaine WynnDirector of Mirage Resorts and Wynn Resorts, philanthropist
Jack EntratterExecutive at the Sands Hotel
1998Siegfried & RoyMagicians at casinos
Anthony Marnell, IIArchitect; Chairman and CEO of Rio Hotel & Casino
Lud CorraoArchitect
J.K. Houssels, Jr.Chairman of Showboat
Thomas Young, Sr.Founder of Young Electric Sign Company
1997Charles MathewsonChairman and CEO of IGT
Frank SinatraSinger at casinos
1996Donald CaranoFounder of Eldorado Resort Casino
Paul EndyFounder of Paul-Son Gaming Group
Michael RoseAttorney; Chairman of Holiday Corp.
1995Len AinsworthFounder of Aristocrat Leisure
Burton CohenExecutive at the Desert Inn
Donald TrumpDeveloper of casinos in Atlantic City and Indiana
1994Frank ModicaExecutive at Showboat
Bud and Jean JonesFounder and CEO of Bud Jones Co.
1993William BoydCo-founder of Boyd Gaming
Henry GluckChairman of Caesars World
Harvey and Llewellyn GrossFounders of Harveys Resort & Casino
Leonard PrescottChairman of Little Six
1992John AscuagaFounder of Nugget Casino Resort
Sol Kerzner
Claudine WilliamsChairwoman of Harrah's
1991Sam Boyd
James CrosbyChairman of Resorts International
Kirk KerkorianFounder of MGM Resorts International, developer of the International Hotel and MGM Grand Hotel and Casino
Don LaughlinNamesake of Laughlin, Nevada, developer of the Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino
Bill PenningtonExecutive at Circus Circus
William "Si" ReddFounder of International Game Technology
1990Bill BennettCofounder of Circus Circus Enterprises, owner of the Sahara Hotel and Casino
Benny BinionOwner of Binion's Horseshoe, founder of the World Series of Poker
Jackie Gaughan
Barron HiltonPresident of Hilton Hotels
Raymond SmithCo-founder of Harold's Club
1989Warren NelsonOwner of Club Cal-Neva
Jay SarnoDeveloper of Caesars Palace and Circus Circus Las Vegas
William HarrahDeveloper of Harrah's Reno and Harrah's Lake Tahoe
Grant SawyerGovernor of Nevada, influential in development of gaming regulations
E. Parry ThomasBanker who financed numerous casinos in Las Vegas

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Gaming Hall of Fame . 2009-02-12 . . 2009-08-30.
  2. Web site: The Gaming Hall of Fame. UNLV Center for Gaming Research. 2018-10-01. 2012-03-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20120318103112/http://gaming.unlv.edu/hof/index.html. dead.