Global Gaming Women to Launch Groundbreaking Online Mentoring Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Global Gaming Women (GGW) announced today that it will launch Global Gaming Network—a first-of-its-kind online mentoring network designed to connect women professionals in the commercial casino industry—in the first quarter of this year.

GGW is a development program created by the American Gaming Association (AGA) to support the success of women in the international gaming industry through education, mentorship and networking opportunities. The Global Gaming Network is being developed in conjunction with SHFL entertainment, Inc., a leading manufacturer in the gaming industry. The first sneak peek of the website was shown to attendees at a GGW networking event at ICE Totally Gaming today in London.

“Building strong mentoring relationships is a major key to success in any industry, especially ours,” said Patti Hart, GGW co-chair and CEO of International Game Technology. “With Global Gaming Network, we are forging new paths in what it means to serve the advancement of women in business.”

Global Gaming Network is an innovative resource that will allow women from all levels of the gaming entertainment industry to identify and connect with potential mentors to share their advice, experience and best practices. From up-and-coming gaming professionals to seasoned executives, Global Gaming Network members will be able to create a personal profile and individualize their search criteria—much like popular online dating websites—to connect with potential “mentor matches” from throughout the international gaming entertainment industry.

Global Gaming Network will be free to use and open to all women with more than one year of work experience in the gaming industry. Five years’ experience, in either gaming or general business, will be required in order to become a mentor.

“Today (at ICE Totally Gaming) in London, our first preview of Global Gaming Network has been met by a strong and positive reaction,” said Virginia McDowell, president and CEO of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. and GGW co-chair. “This makes us even more eager for this important resource to debut, so we can begin connecting all women across our industry in new and exciting ways.”

“On behalf of the entire team at SHFL entertainment, we are excited and proud to be helping develop the groundbreaking tool that is the Global Gaming Network,” said Katie Lever, executive vice president and general counsel for SHFL. “Mentoring has been very important to me throughout my career and now, with this network, women in our industry can enjoy the types of great mentor-mentee relationships that I’ve had, whether they are new to the industry or an experienced gaming professional looking to enhance their career.”

GGW launched in September 2011 and was created by the AGA to nurture female leaders in the international gaming industry. The initiative is an ongoing effort to foster stronger relationships between top female executives, as well as between executives and promising managers in the industry. More information on GGW can be found at GlobalGamingWomen.org.

For all the latest AGA and industry news, visit www.americangaming.org, follow the AGA on Twitter and “like” us on Facebook.

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The American Gaming Association (AGA) is the national trade association for the commercial casino industry. In addition to representing the interests of its members on federal legislative and regulatory issues, the AGA serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership on industry-related issues of public concern.