I am 56 years old. Half my life has been spent contributing to this incredible industry – 28 years on the IT side of casinos. How did this happen? It snuck up on me. Yesterday, I was applying for a job with Bally Gaming and Systems, and this morning I woke up with a career and an oddball history that’s now part of the gaming life we all know so well.
First, let me interject something. Fifty-six comes with a few adjustments compared to 28. I haven’t had a full night’s sleep in years. If I even walk through a grocery store, I gain weight. Aches and pains are now a morning ritual. My music is on the classic rock station. Everyone who works for me has to have Y2K explained to them, and the Cold War is something they only know from history class.
Yeah – I’ve earned the “Old Guy” title.
Yet I hate the term in business. The “old guy” or “old gal” is the one who lives on past accomplishments, wandering around the office talking about glory days. Don’t get me wrong – I’m a storyteller, and my career sometimes feels like a Forrest Gump highlight reel. But I don’t let my past glories cloud the future.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE BY JOHN CASH FILIPPE IN THE WINTER 2025 EDITION OF GAMING & LEISURE MAGAZINE.