The American Gaming Association is preparing for a leadership change as Delaware North chief executive Louis “Lou” M. Jacobs has been selected to take over as chair of the board beginning in January 2026. His appointment arrives during a period of major change within the gambling industry, where operators continue to expand into digital markets, refine their responsible gaming frameworks, and balance the rapid growth of online platforms with the ongoing strength of land-based properties. This includes table game formats and popular online segments such as live dealer products and blackjack casinos, which remain among the most recognisable and commercially reliable categories within the wider gaming landscape.
Lou Jacobs’ Background
Jacobs is a third-generation leader of Delaware North, one of the largest privately owned hospitality and entertainment companies in the United States. He shares the CEO role with his brother Jerry, following a long history of family involvement in the company that began with their grandfather, Louis Jacobs. Lou has been part of the business for decades and has overseen areas such as long-term strategy, financial direction, and corporate governance.
His formal background includes a Bachelor of Arts and an MBA from Harvard University, which has often been highlighted as a foundation for his analytical approach to leadership. He is also active in community-focused work. In Western New York, he supports programmes aimed at addressing food insecurity and is involved with regional charitable initiatives.
Delaware North’s Place in the Modern Gaming Market
Delaware North has evolved far beyond its original roots in concessions and sports venues. Today, the company operates casinos and gaming centres across several states, each combining table games, slot floors, and entertainment offerings with hospitality services.
In recent years, Delaware North has also invested more heavily in digital products. Through its Betly brand, the company provides sports wagering in multiple states and offers online casino gaming where permitted. This combination of retail casinos and digital betting platforms gives the company a significant presence in both traditional and emerging parts of the market.
The AGA’s board has noted that this blend of operational experience positions Jacobs well for the role. He has worked directly with regulators, navigated expansion in both land-based and online sectors, and overseen major capital projects. All of these areas align closely with the pressures the industry faces today.
AGA Leadership Expectations
The AGA has expressed confidence that Jacobs will continue strengthening the trade group’s influence during a time when regulatory conversations are becoming more complex. Topics such as illegal offshore competition, responsible gambling standards, and the growth of online wagering remain at the centre of national discussion.
Jacobs himself has stated that the role is both an honour and an important responsibility. He has emphasised that the gaming industry is a significant driver of economic activity, providing employment, tax revenue, and entertainment experiences in communities across the country. He intends to help maintain that positive impact by supporting policies that promote safe and sustainable growth.
A Shift During a Period of Industry Tension
Jacobs will take the chair at a complicated moment. The gambling sector is expanding, but several high-profile disagreements are unfolding. FanDuel and DraftKings recently withdrew from the AGA following conflicts over the association’s position on certain types of sports event contracts and prediction market products. These platforms are developing services that fall outside the boundaries of traditional sports betting, which has led to overlapping and sometimes competing regulatory interpretations.
Their departure highlights the shifting nature of the market. Lines between prediction markets, fantasy sports, speculative wagering, and conventional betting are becoming increasingly blurred. As a result, trade organisations such as the AGA are being asked to take clearer positions on products that did not exist even a few years ago. Jacobs will step directly into these ongoing discussions.
What Jacobs’ Appointment Means for the Industry
While a change at the top does not immediately alter policy, it does influence how the AGA presents its priorities to lawmakers and regulators. Jacobs brings experience running a large family-owned organisation that operates in both physical venues and digital environments. He is familiar with state-level regulatory frameworks, long-term capital planning, and the wider economic contribution made by gaming.
This perspective is likely to shape how the AGA approaches future debates surrounding online gaming expansion, sports betting regulations, responsible gambling programmes, and cooperation between state regulators. Operators, suppliers, and associated businesses will be watching closely to see how Jacobs balances the differing interests within the industry, particularly as new gambling formats continue to emerge.
Jacobs will begin his two-year term as chair in January 2026, following the completion of Michael Rumbolz’s tenure at the end of 2025. His leadership will come at a moment when the industry is growing quickly, discussing major questions about the future of digital gambling and working collectively to maintain a stable and trusted regulatory environment across the country.
