Gaming Hall of Fame


The Gaming Hall of Fame was established in 1989 to recognize individuals who have played a significant role in the gambling-entertainment industry.
The Gaming Hall of Fame Ceremony takes place annually during G2E Las Vegas and is organized by the American Gaming Association 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 gambling-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.

Inductees

People who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame are listed below, with their year of induction.
YearInducteesKnown For
2024James F. AllenChairman, Hard Rock International and CEO, Seminole Gaming
2024Alan FeldmanResponsible gaming expert; Distinguished Fellow, UNLV International Gaming Institute
2024Debra NuttonFormer MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts executive; first female craps dealer
2023Bill AnoatubbyGovernor of the Chickasaw Nation
2023Robert MiodunskiExecutive at AGS and United Coin Machine
2023Jim MurrenCEO of MGM Resorts International
2023Ellen WhittemoreExecutive at Wynn Resorts
2022Gavin IsaacsGambling industry executive
2022Virginia McDowellExecutive at Isle of Capri
2022Michael D. RumbolzExecutive at Everi and Chairman of the American Gaming Association
2021Jeremy M. JacobsChairman of Delaware North
2021Jim ShoreGeneral counsel of the Seminole Tribe
2021Knute Knudson Jr.Executive at IGT
2020James R. MaidaCo-founder of Gaming Laboratories International
2020Jeffrey A. SilverAttorney
2020Dr. Mark YoseloffChairman and CEO of Shuffle Master
2019Elaine HodgsonCo-founder of Incredible Technologies
2019Stanley MallinCo-founder of Caesars Palace and Circus Circus
2019Ernie MoodySlot machine pioneer
2018Peter CarlinoCEO of Gaming and Leisure Properties
2018Richard HaddrillChairman and CEO of Bally Technologies
2018Philip HannifinChairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board
2018Steven PerskieNew Jersey state legislator, led effort to legalize casinos in Atlantic City
2017Diana BennettCo-founder and CEO of Paragon Gaming
2017John BreedingFounder and CEO of Shuffle Master
2017Joe KaminkowSlot machine designer
2017Mel WolzingerCasino investor
2016John AcresFounder of Acres Manufacturing
2016Lyle BermanCofounder of Grand Casinos
2016Don BrinkerhoffLandscape architect
2016Redinia Gilliam-MoseeAtlantic City casino executive
2016Richard 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.
2015Larry WoolfChairman, President and CEO of MGM Resorts International
2015Lynn ValbuenaChairwoman of San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
2014Patricia BeckerGaming attorney; president of the International Association of Gaming Attorneys
2014Jan Jones BlackhurstMayor of Las Vegas, executive at Caesars Entertainment
2014Robert FaissGambling attorney
2014Ernest L. Stevens Jr.Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association
2013Gary LovemanCEO of Caesars Entertainment
2013Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr.Founder of the American Gaming Association
2013Celine DionSinger
2013Guy SavoyRestaurateur at Caesars Palace
2012Dennis GomesCEO and co-owner of Resorts Casino Hotel
2012William RaggioUnited States Senator from Nevada
2012Guy LaliberteFounder of Cirque du Soleil
2012Julian SerranoRestaurateur at Las Vegas casinos
2011Sheldon G. AdelsonChairman of Las Vegas Sands
2011William EadingtonAcademic who studied the gaming industry
2011Blue Man GroupPerformance artists at Las Vegas casinos
2011Charlie PalmerRestaurateur at Nevada casinos
2010Tim ParrottCEO of Shuffle Master
2009Michael GaughanFounder of Coast Casinos
2008Bernard GoldsteinFounder of Isle of Capri Casinos, "father of riverboat gaming"
2008Robert ArumBoxing promoter
2008Don KingBoxing promoter
2008Emeril LagasseRestaurateur at casinos
2007John WilhelmPresident of Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union
2007Clifford PerlmanCEO of Caesars World
2007David CopperfieldMagician at casinos
2007Michael MinaRestaurateur at Las Vegas casinos
2006Steve WynnChairman of Mirage Resorts, founder of Wynn Resorts
2006Alex StrattaRestaurateur at Las Vegas casinos
2006Franco DragoneDirector of Cirque du Soleil shows and Le Rêve
2005Craig H. NeilsenFounder of Ameristar Casinos
2005Larry RuvoLiquor distributor in Las Vegas, philanthropist
2005Debbie ReynoldsSinger at casinos
2005Wolfgang PuckRestaurateur at casinos
2004Fred BennigerChairman of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and MGM Grand, Inc.
2004Jack BinionFounder of Horseshoe Gaming
2004Don RicklesComedian at casinos
2003Phil SatreChairman and CEO of Harrah's
2003Tom JonesSinger at casinos
2002Merv GriffinOwner of Resorts International, investor in Players International
2001Harry ReidUnited States Senator from Nevada, chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission
2001Paul AnkaSinger at casinos
2001Rick HillChairman of the Indian Gaming Association
2000J. Terrence LanniChairman of MGM Mirage, executive of Caesars World
2000Wayne NewtonSinger at casinos
1999Steve Lawrence & Eydie GormeSingers at casinos
1999Elaine WynnDirector of Mirage Resorts and Wynn Resorts, philanthropist
1999Jack EntratterExecutive at the Sands Hotel
1998Siegfried & RoyMagicians at casinos
1998Anthony Marnell, IIArchitect; chairman and CEO of Rio Hotel & Casino
1998Lud CorraoArchitect
1998J.K. Houssels Jr.Chairman of Showboat
1998Thomas Young Sr.Founder of Young Electric Sign Company
1997Charles MathewsonChairman and CEO of IGT
1997Frank SinatraSinger at casinos; part-owner of Sands Hotel and Casino and Cal Neva Lodge & Casino
1996Donald CaranoFounder of Eldorado Resort Casino
1996Paul EndyFounder of Paul-Son Gaming Group
1996Michael RoseAttorney; Chairman of Holiday Corp.
1995Len AinsworthFounder of Aristocrat Leisure
1995Burton CohenExecutive at the Desert Inn
1995Donald TrumpDeveloper of casinos in Atlantic City and Indiana
1994Frank ModicaExecutive at Showboat
1994Bud and Jean JonesFounder and CEO of Bud Jones Co.
1993William BoydCo-founder of Boyd Gaming
1993Henry GluckChairman of Caesars World
1993Harvey and Llewellyn GrossFounders of Harveys Resort & Casino
1993Leonard PrescottChairman of Little Six
1992John AscuagaFounder of Nugget Casino Resort
1992Sol KerznerDeveloper of casinos in South Africa and at Paradise Island
1992Claudine WilliamsChairwoman of Harrah's
1991Sam BoydCofounder of Boyd Gaming
1991James CrosbyChairman of Resorts International
1991Kirk KerkorianFounder of MGM Resorts International, developer of the International Hotel and MGM Grand Hotel and Casino
1991Don LaughlinNamesake of Laughlin, Nevada, developer of the Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino
1991Bill PenningtonExecutive at Circus Circus
1991William "Si" ReddFounder of International Game Technology
1990Bill BennettCofounder of Circus Circus Enterprises, owner of the Sahara Hotel and Casino
1990Benny BinionOwner of Binion's Horseshoe, founder of the World Series of Poker
1990Jackie GaughanOwner of several casinos in Downtown Las Vegas
1990Barron HiltonPresident of Hilton Hotels
1990Raymond SmithCo-founder of Harold's Club
1989Warren NelsonOwner of Club Cal-Neva
1989Jay SarnoDeveloper of Caesars Palace and Circus Circus Las Vegas
1989William HarrahDeveloper of Harrah's Reno and Harrah's Lake Tahoe
1989Grant SawyerGovernor of Nevada, influential in development of gaming regulations
1989E. Parry ThomasBanker who financed numerous casinos in Las Vegas