AMERICAN GAMING - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Government Relations
Alex Costello serves as Vice President, government relations for the American Gaming Association (AGA). In this role, Alex advocates for AGA's priorities on Capitol Hill and with federal policymakers. Alex brings with her nearly two decades of service in the legislative branch, executive branch, and advocacy community.
Immediately prior to joining the AGA, Alex was the first-ever director of legislative affairs at the Center for Law and Social Policy, a 50-year-old anti-poverty nonprofit. Alex also served as the co-chair of Protecting Immigrant Families, an advocacy campaign with more than 350 organizations.
While at the U.S. Department of State, Alex was chief of staff of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), a unit that included a Washington staff of 350 and more than 5,000 overseas employees and contractors, in addition to approximately $4 billion in foreign assistance programs in more than 90 countries and an air wing of nearly 200 aircraft. Alex also served as the director of senate affairs in the Bureau of Legislative Affairs.
Prior to her roles in the executive branch, Alex served in the United States Senate for more than a decade for then Senator John Kerry (D-MA). She was the primary liaison with the Massachusetts business community, served as the Senator's political director, and oversaw all of the Senator's appropriations priorities. She also served as judiciary counsel, advising during two Supreme Court justice nominations. Alex briefly served as a senior advisor to Massachusetts Senator Mo Cowen before rejoining Secretary Kerry at the Department of State.
Originally from Boston, Alex earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland and her master's degree from Catholic University. She is a proud Terp and an avid Boston sports fan. She currently lives on Capitol Hill in D.C. with her husband.
Job Titles:
- President & CEO, Q Casino
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- President & CEO, FanDuel Group
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- CEO & Co - Founder, GeoComply
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager, Member Services
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to Bill Miller, President & CEO
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- President & COO, Aria and Vdara Chief Public Affairs Officer, MGM Resorts International
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- Secretary of State, the Chickasaw Nation
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- President
Bill Miller is the President and CEO of the American Gaming Association (AGA), which represents the $329 billion U.S. casino industry. Since joining the AGA in 2019, Miller has elevated the association's influence in Washington, advanced key industry priorities, and deepened member engagement.
Most notably, under Miller's leadership, the AGA has navigated the gaming industry through the COVID-19 pandemic. He led the advocacy effort that united AGA members and the broader gaming industry, secured unprecedented federal relief and created a favorable policy landscape for gaming's remarkable recovery.
He has advanced efforts to strengthen the gaming industry's commitment to responsibility, build a sustainable legal sports betting market, accelerate casino payments modernization, diminish the illegal gambling market, and initiate industry-wide efforts on diversity and ESG issues. Miller has also reinvigorated the Global Gaming Expo, the gaming industry's premier tradeshow.
Miller has more than three decades of experience on Capitol Hill and representing business interests in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining the AGA, Miller served as the top lobbyist at Business Roundtable, the association of chief executive officers of America's leading companies. During his tenure, he led consequential lobbying efforts to pass the landmark 2017 tax reform legislation and usher in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Miller also spent time as a partner at international corporate communications firm Brunswick, providing strategic counsel to several U.S. and international corporations. At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Miller served as senior vice president and national political director. Miller drove the Chamber's political affairs and federal lobbying efforts for more than a decade, where he created a favorable policy environment for the U.S. business community to thrive. Early in his career, Miller served as chief of staff and campaign manager for Representative Constance A. Morella (MD-8), overseeing the Congresswoman's legislative and political agenda.
Miller is recognized as an influential leader in Washington, including being named to Washingtonian magazine's inaugural Most Influential People List (2021, 2022) and The Hill's Top Lobbyists (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023).
Miller is a member of the U.S. Chamber's C100 and sits on the board of the Ford's Theater Board of Governors, International Center for Responsible Gaming, Public Affairs Council and U.S. Travel Association. He is also a board member and the Finance Committee Chair for National Alliance to End Homelessness.
Miller earned a B.A. degree from the University of Maryland and J.D. from American University Washington College of Law. He resides in Washington, D.C. with his two sons.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- VP, Economic Development, University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Job Titles:
- VP, Government Affairs, Fanatics Betting & Gaming
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Vice President, Strategic Communications & Responsibility
Cait DeBaun is vice president, strategic communications and responsibility at the American Gaming Association (AGA). DeBaun leads the AGA's responsibility efforts and integrated communications strategies to promote the social and economic value of the $329 billion gaming industry.
DeBaun currently oversees the AGA's Have A Game Plan® PSA campaign, working with sports leagues and teams and sportsbook operators to educate consumers on responsible sports betting. DeBaun also plays a key role in the association's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, executing advocacy and industry communications strategies to support casino gaming's ongoing recovery.
DeBaun previously served as the director of communications for Project: Time Off, a national advocacy campaign from the U.S. Travel Association to prove the necessity of taking vacation and grow domestic leisure travel. DeBaun established the campaign's communication strategy, including launching National Plan for Vacation Day, that ultimately shifted American vacation usage and generated $81 billion in economic contribution.
DeBaun started her career at Ogilvy Public Relations where she led integrated, national social change efforts for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
DeBaun and her work have been recognized by PR News, Public Relations Society of America, Washington Women in PR, and the American Society of Association Executives. A graduate of American University, DeBaun lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband and two children.
Job Titles:
- Chief Commercial Officer, OpenBet
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President, Government Relations
Chris Cylke currently serves as senior vice president, government relations for the American Gaming Association (AGA). In this role, he leads the AGA's efforts to advocate for the gaming industry's public policy objectives and to develop congressional champions. Additionally, Cylke manages the AGA's public policy committee and tax and financial policy working group.
Cylke joined the AGA in July 2017, after almost a decade of serving as a lobbyist at several trade associations and seven years on Capitol Hill. His trade association experience includes the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Motion Picture Association of America, and the National Music Publishers Association. On Capitol Hill, Cylke served as the senior legislative assistant and deputy parliamentarian for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary.
Cylke continues to use his broad experience navigating complex legislative and regulatory issues on behalf of the gaming industry, and his expertise in developing meaningful public policy solutions is invaluable to AGA members. He has been recognized by The Hill as one of Washington, D.C.'s top association lobbyists, and received a 2021 Global Regulatory Award from Vixio GamblingCompliance for his work as Head of Regulatory Affairs/Government Relations.
Cylke holds a degree in political science from James Madison University. He has spent much of his childhood and adult life in Arlington, Virginia, where he currently resides with his wife and three children.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Senior Vice President
- Treasurer
- Vice Chair
Dan Bretl is senior vice president, secretary and treasurer at the American Gaming Association (AGA). As a member of the senior leadership team, Bretl is responsible for guiding AGA's internal organization and managing all operations including finance, legal, human resources, facilities and information technology. He also leads AGA's partnership strategy and plays a key leadership role with AGA's board committees.
Prior to joining the AGA in May 2019, Bretl served as an AGA consultant from October 2016 and ran his own consultancy focused on supporting clients' strategic planning, global partnerships, revenue, and business development objectives. He previously worked at Marriott International, most recently as head of global strategic alliances responsible for developing and managing global relationships in all sectors including finance, technology, sports and entertainment. He also directed global promotions. Prior to Marriott, Bretl worked in brand and corporate research at General Mills on new and established brands in the Big G, Yoplait Yogurt, and Betty Crocker divisions.
Bretl currently serves as vice chair on the Board of Directors for the Torch Relay for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Madison, holding both a bachelor's and master's degree.
David Forman serves as Vice President, Research at the American Gaming Association. Forman leads the AGA's research efforts and partnerships across the full spectrum of issues affecting the gaming industry, including taxation and economic issues, sports betting, responsible gaming, consumer perceptions, and regulatory matters. Forman serves as a spokesperson on association research and industry trends.
Since joining the AGA in late 2017, Forman has expanded the association's consumer research as well as launched long-term industry data tracking tools like the Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker and Gaming Industry CEO Outlook to promote the gaming industry and position the AGA as an industry data center.
Previously, Forman was a Vice President in the Crisis & Risk practice at Edelman, a global communications firm, where he helped clients navigate high risk communications challenges. He also helped lead the firm's Business & Risk Intelligence group, providing clients with information used to inform strategic decision making, influence legal proceedings and alter the public narrative around high profile issues.
Forman was named to the Emerging Leaders of Gaming: 40 Under 40, Class of 2022.
Originally from the Boston area, he holds a degree in History from The George Washington University and lives in Alexandria, Va. with his wife and two children.
Job Titles:
- Chief Commercial Officer, Ainsworth Game Technology
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
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- EVP & General Counsel, Wynn Resorts
Job Titles:
- Director, Government Relations
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Finance and Operations
Gabrielle Voorhees serves as vice president, finance and operations at the American Gaming Association (AGA). In this role, Voorhees oversees the AGA's financial operations and human resources department.
She has three decades of defense contracting and nonprofit experience, having held positions at Electronic Data Systems and SAIC, and most recently at IPMA-HR, a public safety association.
Voorhees is a CPA and earned her bachelor's degree from James Madison University. She lives in Alexandria, VA with her husband and two daughters.
Job Titles:
- CEO, Aristocrat Gaming, Aristocrat Technologies
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- Vice Chairman, Tribal Council, Morongo Band of Mission Indians
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- Senior Executive Officer, Division of Commerce, Choctaw Nation
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- President & CEO, Wind Creek Hospitality
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- President & CEO, PENN Entertainment
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- Member of the Board of Directors
- CEO, Seminole Hard Rock Gaming
Job Titles:
- COO, Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications
Joe Maloney is senior vice president, strategic communications at the American Gaming Association, leading the association's strategic communications, research, marketing and public affairs campaigns. He is an accomplished communications and public affairs professional with two decades of experience in sports, gaming and technology.
Maloney joins the AGA from the Washington Commanders, where he has served as vice president, public affairs for three years. In this role, he spearheaded the team's external engagement on a variety of key policy and corporate initiatives, ensuring stakeholder engagement across the national capital region.
Maloney successfully steered the Commanders' communications and legislative advocacy on sports betting in Virginia and Maryland, resulting in its industry-leading market access partnerships with FanDuel (Virginia) and Fanatics (Maryland). He also established the Washington Commanders as the first NFL team to join AGA's Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly.™ public service campaign. In addition to his sports betting portfolio, Maloney led the team's external affairs on its new stadium search, engaging elected, civic, and media stakeholders across D.C., Maryland and Virginia. This resulted in the bipartisan introduction in the U.S. Congress of H.R. 4984, the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act, as well as policy initiatives in Annapolis and Richmond.
Prior to his time with the Commanders, Maloney advised trade associations and corporations in the technology, gaming and hospitality industries, including the AGA, while a partner at Locust Street Group. He began his career on Capitol Hill and later went on to serve in advocacy and political roles, supporting members of Congress, presidential candidates and party committees throughout the country.
Maloney attended Dickinson College, where he played football, and holds a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University. Maloney lives with his wife, three children and their rescue dog in Maryland.
Job Titles:
- President, WorldPay Gaming Solutions, Worldpay from FIS
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- President & COO, VICI Properties
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- Head of Development - U.S., Bet365
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- Member of the Board of Directors
- EVP & Chief Legal Officer, Bally 's Corporation
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- CEO, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
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- Director, State and Regulatory Affairs
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- Co - Founding Member and Manager, ECL Entertainment, LLC
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- Chief Commercial Officer, Playtech
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- President & COO, Cherokee Nation Entertainment, LLC
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- Tribal Chairman, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians
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- SVP, Diversified Markets, TransUnion
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- SVP for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling, Entain Plc
Job Titles:
- Member of the American Society of Association Executives
- Senior Vice President, Membership and Events
Maureen Beddis is senior vice president, membership and events at the American Gaming Association. As part of the executive team, Beddis leads AGA member relations, business development and events including Global Gaming Expo (G2E).
Beddis joined the AGA following 16 years at The Vision Council, most recently serving as executive vice president, membership and strategic initiatives. Using her 20+ years of optical industry experience, she worked to strengthen the image of The Vision Council-and that of its member companies-by overseeing the organization's marketing and member services including communications, membership, market research and government and regulatory affairs efforts.
Beddis led organizational rebranding effort, the reinvention of the Eyecessorize fashion campaign, the launch of the Digital Eye Strain campaign and the viral National Sunglasses Day campaign. In addition, she provided marketing counsel and served as the Interim Executive Director to Think About Your Eyes, a national public awareness campaign about annual eye exams.
Beddis oversaw the organization's volunteer pipeline development by working with the Council's emerging optical leaders committee and handling nominating and governance activities. She led industry-wide diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and expanded the Opening Your Eyes scholarship fund designed to bring diverse talent into the opticianry field as well as the creation of the first DE&I certification for optical professionals in partnership with Cornell University.
Prior to joining The Vision Council, Beddis served as brand manager for Carl Zeiss Vision, where she promoted the company's key lens & coating offerings. She also served as account manager for Tattar Cutler-DBC Public Relations where she managed campaigns for the Philadelphia International Auto Show, Philadelphia Antiques Show, GMAC Commercial Mortgage and Spencer Gifts.
She has been honored as one of Vision Monday's Most Influential Women in Optical in 2010 (Innovator) and 2020 (Executive Suite). During her agency career she received the Pepperpot Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America for Marketing Communications and Special Events and Observances.
Beddis is a member of the American Society of Association Executives, American Marketing Association and CEO Update's COO Forum. She actively volunteers in her local community and with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband, Chip, three children and fetch-loving Labrador retriever.
Job Titles:
- Chief Commercial Officer, Shift4
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- Executive Chairman, Everi
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- Vice President of Operations, Circa Resorts LLC
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- Senior Manager, Finance & Operations
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- Chief Corporate Development Officer, Nuvei Technologies Inc.
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- Member of the Board of Directors
- COO, IGT
Job Titles:
- President & CEO, the Venetian Resort Las Vegas
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager, Government Relations
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- President, CEO North America, Novomatic
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- President, Cordish Global Gaming, the Cordish Companies
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- President, Genting Americas East, Genting Americas, Inc
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- CEO, J & J Ventures Gaming
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- Chairman, Foxwoods Resort Casino
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- SVP, Global Communications & Corporate Affairs, Las Vegas Sands
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- HR Administrator
- Office Manager
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- Chief Legal Officer, DraftKings, Inc.
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- President & CEO, Konami Gaming
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- Chief Product Officer, Evolution
Job Titles:
- Senior Director, Government Relations
Tres York is Senior Director, Government Relations at the American Gaming Association where he leads state advocacy and regulatory engagement.
Prior to arriving at the AGA, Tres served as legislative director for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a bipartisan organization that represents all 50 state legislatures across the U.S. At NCSL, Tres led advocacy efforts on gaming, financial services and technology issues, both on Capitol Hill and with federal regulators.
He previously led the political affairs operation for the MIBOR Realtor Association, coordinating their fundraising and candidate endorsement efforts, worked as a legislative staffer for the Indiana House of Representatives, and for former U.S. Representative Luke Messer in both federal and political roles.
Tres received his bachelor's in political science from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. He currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia with his fiancée.
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager, Strategic Communications