The American Gaming Association (AGA) has chosen Louis "Lou" M. Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Delaware North, to lead the organisation's board of
The American Gaming Association (AGA) has chosen Louis “Lou” M. Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Delaware North, to lead the organisation’s board of directors, effective January 2026. He will replace Michael Rumbolz, who stepped down after overseeing the body since early 2024.
Jacobs is co-Chief Executive Officer of Delaware North, a global leader in hospitality and entertainment with diversified operations spanning airports, sports venues (including the Boston Bruins, where Jacobs serves as an Alternate Governor), national parks, hotels, and a significant gaming division. His expertise encompasses regional casino properties and expanding digital operations, including online sports wagering and iGaming across several US states.
On his appointment, Jacobs affirmed his commitment to promoting a strong, legal gaming market: “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.”
AGA President and CEO Bill Miller applauded the choice, noting that Jacobs’ background as a long-standing board member and his experience across the gaming and hospitality ecosystem will be instrumental in strengthening policy engagement at federal and state levels.
Jacobs’ appointment coincides with a cautious shift towards optimism within the sector, as reflected in the AGA’s latest outlook. The report found that sentiment improves amidst lingering economic uncertainty, suggesting a material brightening of mood among executives and suppliers since the start of the year.
This renewed confidence rests on several tangible improvements reported in Q3 2025:
The improving corporate sentiment is underpinned by record consumer engagement. A recent survey by the AGA, published in October, revealed significant growth in public participation and acceptance of gambling.
The AGA’s election of Lou Jacobs as chairman signals a clear strategic alignment: the American legal gaming market has fully matured into a hospitality and entertainment ecosystem.
Jacobs’ background at Delaware North, a diversified company that manages everything from airports to sports venues, provides a holistic perspective that moves beyond the traditional focus on casino floors. This is crucial as the AGA continues to champion the highly integrated iGaming and sports betting model, where the digital product (iGaming/wagering) is viewed as an extension of the broader entertainment experience. His focus will likely be on strengthening policy to ensure regulatory frameworks facilitate this seamless, nationwide consumer experience while supporting the industry’s economic function. The concurrent news of record participation and improved corporate sentiment provides Jacobs with a strong political footing as he begins his tenure.
