Dylan Slaney Resigns as Light & Wonder iGaming CEO

Dylan Slaney, CEO of Light & Wonder’s iGaming division, has announced his decision to step down, marking the end of his seven-year journey with the company. Slaney shared his resignation on LinkedIn post on November 18, describing it as “a personal decision in its purest form.”

ing Light & Wonder in October 2021 as the iGaming division’s leader, Slaney reported directly to the company’s group CEO, Matt Wilson. Reflecting on his tenure, he expressed immense pride in his contributions, stating, “It’s been an incredible journey leading this business over the past seven years, and I’m immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”

He extended gratitude to the company, colleagues, and industry partners for their , adding, “Proud and humbled to have been given this amazing opportunity, and looking forward to writing the next chapter.”

Slaney’s leadership coincided with a pivotal period for Light & Wonder, which rebranded from Scientific Games in 2022. Before assuming his CEO role, Slaney served as the executive vice president of gaming at NYX Gaming Group. His tenure began before NYX’s acquisition by Scientific Games in 2018, where he subsequently became senior president of gaming in the SG Digital division.

Following the rebrand, Light & Wonder redefined its focus, divesting lottery and sports betting assets to concentrate on its core gaming business. Under Slaney’s leadership, the iGaming division thrived, particularly in North America, where its portfolio and technological advancements solidified its market position.

A company spokesperson acknowledged Slaney’s impact, stating, “We’ve been on an incredible journey in our iGaming business over the last seven years, and we want to thank Dylan and the entire iGaming team for building the iGaming business into what it is today.”

Light & Wonder’s iGaming Growth

Slaney’s departure comes shortly after Light & Wonder announced its 14th consecutive quarter of revenue growth. In Q3 2023, the iGaming division recorded a 5.7% revenue increase, suring $74 million. This growth reflects continued momentum, bolstered by new game launches and expansion across the US and Europe.

The company has also made significant strides in partnerships. Recent deals include distributing games from Bragg Gaming Group across multiple markets and collaborating with PENN Entertainment to offer branded live dealer games in Michigan via Hollywood Casino at Greektown.

On an earnings call, Matt Wilson emphasized the company’s leadership in the U.S. slot gaming market, stating that the iGaming division benefits greatly from the synergy between Light & Wonder’s various gaming verticals.

Beyond iGaming, Light & Wonder reported an 11.8% year-over-year revenue increase in Q3, totaling $817 million. The Gaming division saw the most growth, with a 15.5% revenue rise fueled by a 38.4% surge in machine sales. Meanwhile, SciPlay, the company’s social gaming arm, experienced a 5.1% revenue increase, reaching $206 million.

Light & Wonder remains committed to its 2025 goal of achieving $1.40 billion in consolidated adjusted EBITDA, with Q3 adjusted EBITDA rising 11.5% to $319 million.

As the company transitions to a new chapter without Slaney at the helm, it continues to build on its robust foundation in the iGaming and broader gaming markets.

Source:

”Slaney to step down as CEO of Light & Wonder iGaming”, igamingbusiness.com, November 18, 2024.