The American Gaming Association (AGA) revealed its 2025 Gaming Hall of Fame class, recognizing three leaders whose work transformed the legal gaming industry.
This October, at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, Nevada, the association will formally induct David Berman, Ann Simmons Nicholson, and Charles Lombardo.
Key takeaways
- The AGA’s Gaming Hall of Fame honors three industry professionals who have influenced responsible growth.
- Inductees’ careers span finance, operations, and human capital strategy.
- The induction ceremony will be held at G2E in Vegas, highlighting the gaming industry's excellence.
Founded in 1989, the Gaming Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose contributions have significantly advanced the commercial and tribal gaming sectors.
“The Gaming Hall of Fame honors the visionaries who’ve shaped today’s gaming industry. David, Ann, and Charlie have each made enduring contributions to the growth, integrity, and leadership of legal gaming,” stated AGA President and CEO Bill Miller.
The 2025 honorees are three distinguished professionals whose careers have helped shape the industry’s growth and reputation for excellence.
The first is, David Berman, co-head of Macquarie Capital, Americas Gaming & Leisure. With over 30 years of gaming finance experience, he led over 100 M&A deals valued at more than $125 billion and helped clients raise $215 billion. Berman founded REGAL Capital Advisors, which Macquarie later acquired. Beyond finance, he serves on the USC Board of Leaders and is treasurer for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation.
Ann Simmons Nicholson, founder and CEO of Simmons Group, has four decades of expertise in strategic planning and human capital strategy. She's supported more than 60 casino projects and trained over 27,000 gaming professionals worldwide. She's known for shaping corporate cultures and her leadership roles in industry and community organizations.
Finally, Charles Lombardo has over five decades of gaming operations experience. He worked with prominent names like Seminole Gaming, Hard Rock, Caesars, Bally’s, and Paris Las Vegas.
“This year’s inductees reflect the strength, diversity, and expertise that define our industry. Their careers exemplify excellence and lasting influence – and these three couldn’t be more deserving,” said AGA Chairman Mike Rumbolz.
AGA faces scrutiny over support for Big Beautiful Bill
Although the American Gaming Association celebrates industry visionaries in its Hall of Fame, it's recently faced criticism for supporting the One Big Beautiful Bill, which reduced gamblers’ tax loss deductions from 100% to 90%. The bill's original House-passed version included 100% on gambler tax loss deductions, but Senate amendments took this to 90%.
Since the proposal essentially taxed them on money they didn't keep, several players claimed it was unjust. In reaction to the criticism, the AGA now supports Rep. Dina Titus's FAIR Bet Act, which would reinstate the full deduction.
