Lou Jacobs Named Chairman of the American Gaming Association
Louis “Lou” M. Jacobs, the chief executive of Delaware North, has been elected chairman of the American Gaming Association and will begin a two-year term in January.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The AGA’s board announced the selection on Tuesday, naming Jacobs as the association’s next chairman to succeed Michael Rumbolz, the former Everi chairman and CEO who has led the trade group since January 2024. Jacobs will work alongside AGA President and CEO Bill Miller to advance the association’s industry agenda at a time of rapid expansion of legal gambling and heightened regulatory attention across states.
Jacobs brings longstanding executive experience in hospitality and gaming. As CEO of family-owned Delaware North, headquartered in Buffalo, New York, he oversees a portfolio that includes regional casinos, resort properties and food-and-beverage operations, as well as digital offerings such as online sports betting and igaming in multiple U.S. jurisdictions. The company operates across North America and internationally, and Jacobs’ remit includes strategic growth, corporate governance and financial oversight.
Commenting on his election, Jacobs said, “It’s an honor to lead the AGA at such a dynamic time. I look forward to building on AGA’s success and working with CEO Bill Miller and the board to ensure legal gaming remains a strong economic engine for communities across the country”.
Miller, who has served as AGA president and CEO since 2018, praised Jacobs’ experience. “Lou’s tremendous experience across the gaming and hospitality ecosystem makes him an exceptional choice to be AGA’s next chairman”, Miller said. “His perspective as a long-time industry leader and active board member of the AGA will be instrumental as we continue to champion policies that strengthen and sustain our industry.”
Rumbolz’s leadership over the past period included several notable priorities for the AGA: securing federal and state-level policy wins, enhancing responsible gaming programs, and intensifying efforts to curb illegal gambling. Miller reflected on that tenure, adding, “Mike’s leadership has been invaluable to both me and the AGA. His insight and steady hand have helped guide legal gaming through a period of continued growth and transformation.”
Industry Reaction and Outlook
Jacobs takes the helm as the U.S. gambling sector grapples with evolving regulation, rising investment in digital wagering, and an uptick in state-level legislative activity. The AGA, representing commercial casinos, suppliers, and digital operators, has increasingly focused on policy coordination, consumer protections, and enforcement against unregulated operators.
Under Jacobs, industry observers expect the AGA to maintain pressure on lawmakers to support clear regulatory frameworks for sports betting and igaming while continuing to promote responsible-gaming initiatives. Delaware North’s own expansion into online products gives Jacobs a commercial perspective on how operators and regulators can balance growth with safeguards for consumers and communities.
Analysts say priorities for the AGA in the coming term will likely include: advocating for consistent state-level rules that foster competition and consumer protections; strengthening responsible-gaming standards across platforms; and coordinating industry action against illegal betting markets that undermine licensed operators and tax revenues.
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About Jacobs and Delaware North
Louis M. Jacobs leads a diversified hospitality and entertainment firm with roots in concessions, venues and gaming. Beyond corporate responsibilities, Jacobs is active in local philanthropy in Western New York and serves on the board of FeedMore WNY, where he chairs a capital campaign to support anti-hunger efforts.
His appointment to AGA chairman underscores the continued intersection of land-based and digital strategies in the gambling industry. As the AGA prepares its policy agenda for the next 24 months, Jacobs’ blend of operational experience and community engagement positions him to guide the trade group through a pivotal phase of industry maturation.
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