• The American Gaming Association (AGA) has elected Louis “Lou” M. Jacobs, CEO of Delaware North, as its new Chairman of the Board of Directors.
• Jacobs will begin his two-year term in January 2026, succeeding Michael Rumbolz, who has served since early 2024.
• Jacobs brings extensive experience from Delaware North’s diversified operations, including regional casinos, online sports wagering, and hospitality.
• The appointment comes as the AGA reports improved industry sentiment in Q3 2025, driven by rising revenues and decreasing promotional spending.
• A recent AGA survey revealed that gambling participation hit a record high in 2025, with 57% of US adults engaging in some form of gambling over the past year.

Delaware North CEO Takes AGA Helm

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.

Industry Confidence Rebounds in Q3 2025

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:

• Rising revenues and stronger balance sheets.
• Increasing consumer activity.
• Decreasing promotional spending, which naturally lifts margins and increases profitability.

US Gambling Participation Hits Record High

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.

• Record Participation: 57 percent of US adults participated in some form of gambling over the past 12 months, marking the highest engagement levels ever recorded.
• Shifting Attitudes: Nine out of ten Americans (90 percent) stated that casino gambling is acceptable for themselves or others, while 62 percent find it personally acceptable, signalling gaming’s integration as mainstream entertainment.
• Trust in Responsible Gaming: The research also found a sharp rise in trust towards the industry’s commitment to responsible gaming. About 64 percent of Americans now say gaming operators are serious about promoting safe play and combating problem gambling, up significantly from less than 40 percent in 2018.

Expert Analysis: The Hospitality Factor

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.