Formerly President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Isle of Capri Casinos Inc, Virginia McDowell is a luminary in the gaming industry. A graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia, just after gambling was legalised in New Jersey, McDowell boasts 35 years’ experience in the casino industry and has received several prestigious awards, not least being named Gaming Executive of Year by ‘Casino Journal’ in 2009.
Having retired from Capri Casinos in 2016 – as the first, and only, president and CEO of a major, publicly-traded gaming company – McDowell serves a president and chairwoman of the not-for-profit organisation Global Gaming Women, which seeks to further the cause of women in the gaming industry. In 2018, she was also appointed independent, non-executive director of the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) -listed sports betting company GVC Holdings, with a view to expanding its U.S. operations. Casinos are big business worldwide now of course, from Kasinot ilman rekisteröitymistä to just about every location you might care to think of.
Now in the veteran stage of her career, McDowell is still revered throughout the gaming industry, and beyond, for her innovative thinking, leadership and communication skills. She is renowned for her unique perspective on the gaming industry and is, consequently, frequently called upon by academic, civic and organisations as a keynote speaker, moderator or panellist.