Who’s Driving U.S. iGaming? Game Masters 2025 Launches September 23

Game Masters: A September Tradition

September has become the month when we eagerly unveil the Game Masters: TOP 100 Most Influential Figures in the U.S. iGaming Industry. This list has grown into one of our biggest annual events, offering a chance to share our perspective on the online gambling landscape.

Each year, we strive to make the project better and more impactful, so we’re thrilled that in 2025, Game Masters has partnered with SCCG Management, a leading advisory firm with deep industry expertise. Their sharp insights and hands-on support have elevated Game Masters 2025 into something truly special.

Game Masters 2025 launches next week, perfectly timed ahead of G2E and following the well-attended SBC Summit in Lisbon, Portugal.

The first names on the Game Masters 2025 list will be revealed starting September 23 at 10 AM EDT.

Before that, we’re excited to share a behind-the-scenes look at how this year’s list came together.

Goals and Methodology: How We Chose the Top 100

The goal of Game Masters 2025, as in previous years, is to identify 100 individuals who have had the greatest impact on the U.S. online gambling industry, with a focus on their contributions in the current and prior year.

“Influence” is a complex factor that’s tough to boil down to numbers. Yet, we’ve taken on the challenge to honor the architects of this dynamic industry and measure their contributions.

Here’s what guided our selection:

• Direct Industry Impact – the individual’s role in shaping the U.S. online sports betting and iGaming industry.
• Company Influence – the size, reach, and market position of the company the individual represents.
• Role and Authority – the individual’s position and level of influence within their organization.
• Broader Industry Engagement – activities beyond their primary role, such as media presence, participation in industry events, and leadership initiatives.
• Track Record of Innovation – a history of introducing impactful solutions to the market.

In building the list, we examined both companies operating entirely in the U.S. market and global groups whose brands have left a significant mark on the industry.

The selection process for Game Masters 2025 was designed to take a comprehensive look at the entire iGaming ecosystem, going well beyond the C-suite of major operators.

The list will feature leaders from online sportsbooks, casinos, and lotteries, as well as technology providers and content suppliers powering their platforms. It will also recognize the vital, often overlooked roles of tribal leaders, responsible gambling advocates, investors, and affiliate partners.

To paint a full picture of the industry’s power structure, the list will include lawmakers, regulators, consultants, lawyers, and media figures who have demonstrably influenced the market’s direction.

Celebrating the Industry’s Leaders and Workforce

Game Masters isn’t a cold ranking of who’s “in” or “out.” It’s our heartfelt tribute to everyone pouring their energy into iGaming, celebrating both standout leaders and the teams fueling their success.

With just 100 spots, we couldn’t recognize everyone, and our editorial team wrestled with tough calls, cutting down a list of over 150 names still in contention at the final stage.

We also want inclusion among the top 100 most influential to be a recognition of an individual’s contribution to the industry Structuring it as a TOP list adds a touch of friendly competition, but the differences between spots, or even groups of 10, were often razor-thin.

Mark Your Calendars: The Reveal Schedule

The Game Masters 2025 list will be unveiled over the course of a week, with daily reveals culminating in the announcement of the top 10 most influential figures on Friday, September 26.

• September 23: Reveal of positions 100–71
• September 24: Reveal of positions 70–41
• September 25: Reveal of positions 40–11
• September 26: Reveal of the TOP 10

A main article on the event’s website will be updated daily with each new reveal. To catch every moment live, follow our social channels, especially LinkedIn, where we’ll share each announcement first.

A huge congrats to everyone who made the top 100 most influential in the U.S. iGaming industry!