AGA appoints Bill Miller as new chief executive

Veteran Capitol Hill lobbyist Bill Miller has been named as the new president and CEO of US gaming’s leading trade body, the American Gaming Association (AGA).

Miller, who assumes the position from January 14, will replace interim leader Stacy Papadopoulos, who took the position following Geoff Freeman’s resignation in June.

He was selected by a seven-member search committee, led by Penn National Gaming chief executive Tim Wilmott, tasked with identifying a permanent replacement for Freeman.

Miller is currently senior vice president at the Business Roundtable (BRT), the body that represents the chief executive officers of major US companies, with over $6trn in annual revenues and more than 14 million employees.

“I am honoured to join a team with a well-earned reputation for advancing the casino gaming industry’s legislative and communications priorities and addressing the issues that matter most to its members,” he said of his new role.

“Much to the AGA’s credit, this is a remarkable time for gaming in America,” Miller continued. “The industry is growing, acceptance of gaming as mainstream entertainment has never been higher and the opportunities to continue to advance gaming’s agenda are abundant. I am eager to help lead the industry in this next era.”

The AGA has been a leading voice for the industry in the months since the repeal of PASPA in May, which have seen sports betting legalised in a number of states.

The organisation has advocated expanded, regulated betting on a state-by-state basis across the country, with senior vice president of public affairs Sara Slane giving testimony that was critical of potential federal oversight to the congressional hearing in Washington DC in September. The association has also published detailed research on the potential positive impact of betting on major US sports.

AGA members include commercial and tribal casino operators, gaming suppliers and other entities affiliated with the gaming industry.

“Bill’s extensive work with federal policymakers and as a seasoned leader of membership and industry advocacy organisations was critical to our decision,” said Wilmott, who chairs the AGA's board of directors.

“He joins a successful organisation at a time when our industry is enjoying great momentum, thanks in part to a major policy achievement – the ending of the federal sports betting prohibition.”