The American Gaming Association (AGA) has chosen Louis “Lou” M. Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Delaware North, to lead the organisation’s board of directors from January 2026. He will replace Michael Rumbolz, who has overseen the body since early 2024.
Jacobs, on his appointment, said that he intends to continue the group’s work in promoting a strong legal gaming market across the United States. “It’s an honour to lead the AGA at such a dynamic time,” said Jacobs. “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.”
Jacobs oversees strategy, financial management, and long-term business direction for the hospitality and entertainment division at Delaware North. Its gaming arm includes regional casino properties and expanding digital operations, including online sports wagering and iGaming in several states.
Delaware North CEO brings gaming and hospitality expertise
AGA President and CEO Bill Miller applauded the choice, saying that Jacobs’ experience in both gaming and hospitality prepares him to lead the association into the next stage of growth. “Lou’s tremendous experience across the gaming and hospitality ecosystem makes him an exceptional choice to be AGA’s next chairman,” he said.
Miller added that the incoming chairman’s experience as a long-standing board member will support efforts to strengthen policy engagement at federal and state levels. He also credited Rumbolz for his stable leadership during a period of continued transformation for the legal sports betting and iGaming industry.
Outside Jacob’s corporate responsibilities, he is active in charitable causes and currently leads fundraising efforts for hunger relief in Western New York. He lives with his family in East Aurora, New York, and holds degrees in arts and business administration from Harvard University.
Industry sentiment improves amid economic uncertainty
In a separate development, the American Gaming Association’s latest snapshot of the sector points to a turn for the better in the third quarter, with executives reporting stronger trading and a clearer runway for growth than they saw at the start of the year. In the AGA’s own words, the new gaming industry outlook shows “sentiment improves amidst lingering economic uncertainty,” a cautiously optimistic framing that matches how many in the business say the past few months have felt.
The AGA says the mood music among leaders and suppliers has brightened materially since winter. That renewed confidence rests on tangible improvements. The AGA notes leaders are seeing “rising revenues, stronger balance sheets, increasing consumer activity, and decreasing promotional spending,” all of which lift margins and reduce the need to buy share with costly offers.
US gambling participation hits record high in 2025
Meanwhile, a recent survey by the AGA, posted in October, revealed that 57 percent of US adults participated in some form of gambling over the past 12 months, marking the highest engagement levels ever recorded. That rising participation comes alongside increasing public confidence in the industry’s integrity and social responsibility. Nine in ten Americans (90 percent) say casino gambling is acceptable for themselves or others, and 62 percent find it personally acceptable, a clear indicator of shifting attitudes toward gaming as mainstream entertainment.
The research also found a sharp rise in trust toward 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 from less than 40 percent in 2018.
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