The American Gaming Association (AGA) Board of Directors has elected Delaware North Co-CEO Lou Jacobs as the association’s new chairman.
The grandson of Delaware North founder Louis Jacobs and son of current Chairman Jeremy Jacobs, Lou Jacobs has been with the company since 1986. He has served as CEO since 2015 and shares the role with his brothers, Jerry and Charlie.
At the AGA, he will succeed former Everi Chairman and CEO Michael Rumbolz, who has served as AGA chairman since January 2024. Jacobs will begin a two-year term in January 2026. He is already a member of the AGA’s CEO Roundtable.
“It’s an honor 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.”
Delaware North CEO an ‘exceptional’ choice
Miller said that Jacobs’ experience and expertise in gaming and hospitality made him “an exceptional choice.”
“His perspective as a long-time industry leader and active board member of the AGA will be instrumental as we continue to champion policies that strengthen and sustain our industry,” he added.
Delaware North is a multinational foodservice and hospitality company headquartered in Buffalo, New York that runs casino or other gaming operations in eight states. It also operates sports betting in Arkansas, Tennessee, Ohio and West Virginia through the Betly brand, as well as iGaming in the last of those states. As CEO, Jacobs oversees the company, its operating subsidiaries and its portfolio of regional casinos and online gaming.
AGA faces present and future challenges
The AGA said that Rumbolz helped the AGA advance key policy initiatives at the federal and state levels, strengthen responsible gaming programs and lead the industry’s efforts to combat illegal gambling.
“Mike’s leadership has been invaluable to both me and the AGA,” Miller continued. “His insight and steady hand have helped guide legal gaming through a period of continued growth and transformation.”
As chairman, Jacobs will help Miller continue that mission.
One thing that will be different is that the two larges sports betting operators in the U.S. are no longer members of the AGA. FanDuel and DraftKings resigned from the association on Monday, stating that their plans to launch sports event contracts in non-sports betting states means they no align with the association’s stance on prediction markets.
