We As our industry continues navigating rapid transformation across operations, technology, guest expectations, cybersecurity, AI, and leadership itself, one thing remains very clear: the strongest organizations are the ones willing to evolve thoughtfully, lead collaboratively, and remain deeply connected to both their teams and their patrons.
We have another great edition on tap for you.
This edition is the perfect traveling companion for your summer adventures and is filled with content designed to challenge thinking, strengthen leadership, and provide practical insight across virtually every operational area of gaming and hospitality.
One area I am especially proud of is our Executive Leadership section, which focuses not just on leadership in title, but leadership as an individual. Senior leadership can often be rewarding, but it can also be isolating, demanding, and deeply personal. John Cash Filippe explores the different personalities that shape organizations. Michéle Klein discusses why high performers can sometimes struggle to evolve professionally despite their success, and Ben Farber shares why many highly qualified individuals are overlooked in the hiring process.
Manjit Singh explores the growing relationship between regulators, insurers, and cyber adversaries, including the reality that some organizations are now becoming increasingly difficult to insure due to cybersecurity exposure. Melissa Aarskaug discusses the alarming trend where attackers are simply walking through the front door through compromised identities, access, and human behavior, and Adam Lopez outlines why cybersecurity training remains essential and why the frequency, format, and even employee testing methodologies significantly impact effectiveness.
On the AI front, this edition takes a refreshingly pragmatic approach.
Rather than focusing solely on hype or fear, several contributors explore how AI can become a meaningful partner within the work environment. Ben Bonham discusses how AI can help reduce cognitive load by handling many of the smaller, repetitive tasks that often consume our day and distract us from higher-level strategic thinking and decision-making. When implemented thoughtfully, AI has the potential to increase productivity, improve focus, and ultimately help teams make better decisions.
Rick Arpin also outlines the current state of AI within gaming, while KPMG, in collaboration with UNLV, provides valuable insight into this rapidly evolving landscape. At the same time, John Wondolowski reminds us to be mindful of the hidden costs and unintended challenges that can accompany expanding AI initiatives.
This edition also carries a strong dedication to the customer, the patron, and the guest experience — exactly as it should.
Jatonia Ziegler discusses why player development can no longer remain isolated within a single department or individual role, but instead must become a property-wide initiative supported collaboratively across the enterprise. Ryan Carrier explains how loyalty now extends far beyond the gaming floor and how organizations can deliver more meaningful, real-time personalized experiences that strengthen long-term guest relationships. Robert Levine takes an important look at organizational blind spots and how overreliance on anecdotal insight can limit growth, personalization, and retention strategies. His article highlights how better intelligence and hyper-targeted engagement can help organizations attract, retain, and deepen relationships with valuable patrons.
As always, this edition covers every corner of our industry, from accounting, finance, HR, leadership, marketing, IT, AI, cybersecurity, player development, guest relations, and navigating the growing demands of travel and operations in an increasingly complex environment. However, ultimately, so much of what we face today comes down to shared accountability, proper resourcing, and stronger leadership engagement across the enterprise. Michael Day articulates that exceptionally well in his article, “How Do I Fix It.”
Thank you for allowing Gaming & Leisure to be part of your leadership journey. We remain deeply grateful to our editorial residents, contributors, business partners, and executive community for continuing to share insight, innovation, and experience that help move this industry forward. We are excited to share our 25th Anniversary Roundtable with our North American senior industry leadership along with the very best business partners this industry has to offer this September 27th through 28th. We hope to see you all there.
As always, I hope you enjoy this edition, and thanks for welcoming G&L into your home and office this summer.
All the best,
Jeannie Caruso, CEO
jeannie@mygamingandleisure.com