Warner Gaming has formed a strategic partnership with Elm Tree Partners, a development and financial advisory company from Dallas.
Aiming to “collaborate on a variety of things” the deal sees the two companies share knowledge and expertise of the gaming industry as they both seek to further their success in the sector.
Warner Gaming was founded in 2008 by Bill Warner and is a business with experienced casino executives that provide expertise on gaming operations, entertainment programming, marketing, food and beverage, regulatory compliance, finance, information systems and analytics.
John Asher Thompson, CEO of Elm Tree, said: “I am thrilled to formalize our professional relationship with one of the best and most forward-thinking developers and operators in the gaming space today. Bill and his team bring decades of experience and will provide deep bench strength to Elm Tree and our projects.”
Thompson is no stranger to the gaming industry either. He has been involved in developing and financing casino projects for over 20 years.
More recently, he co-founded and invested in SB22, a “next-generation” sports betting platform provider which is aiming at disrupting the US sportsbook sector.
Warner, meanwhile, has worked as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Red Rock Resorts for 15 years, where he took the company from having one casino to 14 and managed a workforce of over 14,000 members of staff.
Commenting on the strategic agreement, Warner added: “I’ve known John for years. He’s smart, versatile and accomplished, and he’s directed some of the best projects in the country. I’m really excited about the opportunity to collaborate with him on a variety of things.”
Warner has also launched OPTX Solutions, a tech platform aiming to provide casino management designed to increase profitability for operators.
The two leaders, with their respective businesses, are set to come together to share their gaming industry experience in a bid to further Warner Gaming’s reach in the US.
“When you consider what we’ve got in common, as well as how our skill sets—with our development backgrounds and shared passion for technology and innovation—complement each other, this will be a formidable partnership, and I’m looking forward to delivering some incredible things for our clients and customers in the market,” Thompson concluded.
