Geoff Freeman is headed for the CEO post at the Grocery Manufacturers Association
In what appears to be a surprise move that has left the American Gaming Association without a successor, incumbent CEO Geoff Freeman (43) will reportedly depart for pastures new on August 1.
CDC Gaming Reports claims that the Association will announce Freeman’s departure today (Tuesday) to take up the chief executive post at the Grocery Manufacturers Association. He has helmed the AGA for the past five years.
Perhaps Freeman’s greatest triumph has been in framing and steering the AGA’s campaign against the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which for decades restricted and hampered the legalisation of full sports betting across the USA.
Whilst not directly involved in New Jersey’s ultimately successful litigation to overturn PASPA, which culminated in the US Supreme Court last month, the AGA was active in campaigning for liberalised sports betting subject to PASPA being removed as an obstacle.
One of his biggest frustrations must have been his failure to bring the AGA into the modern era by persuading its board that online gambling was a controllable and lucrative form of gambling popular internationally that is here to stay; it remains without AGA support despite growing pressure among several of its members for legalisation, and moves to legalise in several important states.
The recent addition to AGA membership of a number of online operators, including the major Stars Group holds the promise of progress in this area, but by then Freeman will be long gone.
AGA Confirms Departure Of Ceo (Update)
Freeman moving on to head up the Grocery Manufacturers Association
Industry speculation was confirmed Tuesday with an announcement from the American Gaming Association (AGA) informing the departure of chief executive officer Geoff Freeman after a five-year tenure.
Freeman will remain with the AGA until the end of July, taking up his new position of President and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association on August 1, 2018.