Four Trailblazers Join the Ranks in AGA's Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2026
The American Gaming Association has named its Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2026, selecting four professionals whose work spans tribal governance, casino operations, game design, and corporate leadership, and the organization will host an invitation-only ceremony during the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas during fall 2026 to formally induct them.
Holly Gagnon currently serves as a board member at Bragg Gaming Group while Bill G. Lance Jr. holds the position of Secretary of State for the Chickasaw Nation, Scott Olive founded and leads HRG Studios as principal, and Timothy J. “Tim” Wilmott recently retired as chief executive officer of PENN Entertainment, and each honoree brings a distinct set of accomplishments that the AGA recognized in its public announcement.
Details of the Announcement
According to the American Gaming Association the four individuals were chosen for their sustained contributions to the legal gaming sector, and the selection process highlights achievements across multiple segments of the industry rather than focusing on a single area of expertise. The association released the list through its official channels and through coverage on CDC Gaming, and both sources confirm that the ceremony remains closed to invited guests only.
Observers note that the timing places the event squarely within the schedule of G2E, which draws thousands of attendees to Las Vegas each year, yet the Hall of Fame portion stays restricted so that the inductees, their families, and select industry figures can participate without the distractions of a larger public program.
Profiles of the 2026 Inductees
Holly Gagnon’s board role at Bragg Gaming Group places her at the intersection of technology suppliers and casino operators, and her earlier executive positions in regional gaming markets helped shape multi-state expansion strategies that remain in use today. Bill G. Lance Jr. serves as Secretary of State for the Chickasaw Nation, where his responsibilities include oversight of tribal gaming policy and economic development initiatives that support one of the larger tribal gaming enterprises in the United States.
Scott Olive established HRG Studios and continues to guide its creative and technical output, and the firm has delivered interior and experiential design work for numerous casino properties across North America. Timothy J. “Tim” Wilmott led PENN Entertainment through a period of significant portfolio growth before retiring, and his tenure included integration of regional casino assets with emerging online and sports betting platforms.
Context Within the Broader Industry
The Gaming Hall of Fame has recognized contributors for more than two decades, and past classes have included executives, regulators, and innovators whose work influenced regulatory frameworks and operational standards still referenced by state gaming control boards and tribal gaming commissions. The 2026 selections continue that pattern by drawing from both tribal and commercial sectors as well as from creative and technology service providers.
Those who have tracked the association’s announcements over the years often point out that the Hall of Fame criteria emphasize measurable impact on legal gaming rather than any single headline achievement, and the current class reflects that emphasis through careers that collectively touch regulatory compliance, property development, game content, and corporate strategy.
Looking Ahead to the Ceremony
Planning for the fall 2026 event at G2E continues, and the AGA has indicated that formal invitations will be issued closer to the date while keeping the proceedings private. Industry participants who have attended prior ceremonies describe them as opportunities for reflection on long-term career contributions rather than as large-scale public spectacles.
The four inductees will join a roster that already spans multiple generations of gaming professionals, and their addition brings fresh representation from tribal leadership, design innovation, and multi-state operating experience into the permanent record maintained by the American Gaming Association.
Conclusion
The announcement of the Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2026 centers on four specific professionals whose documented roles and achievements align with the association’s stated purpose of honoring sustained contributions to the legal gaming industry, and the planned ceremony at G2E in fall 2026 provides the formal setting where those contributions will be recognized in the presence of invited guests.