News

Women in Gaming & Hospitality Australasia has partnered with UNLV/UNR Executive Development Program and Intrust Super to offer one scholarship to the UNLV/UNR Executive Development Program (EDP).  To promote diversity and best practices in the global gaming industry, WGHA will offer the Intrust Super EDP Scholarship covering tuition, accommodation, and airfare for one aspiring female gaming/hospitality industry executive to attend the UNLV/UNR Executive Development Program—a more than AUD $18,500 value.  Currently in its 30th year, EDP is a partnership program between UNLV International Gaming Institute (IGI) and the University of Nevada, Reno College of Business and Extended Studies. The program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for prospective gaming executives to explore new industry ideas, leadership strategies, and an opportunity to network with other gaming professionals from around the globe. This year’s program will take place in November in Lake Tahoe, NV.  Intrust Super CEO Brendan O’Farrell stated, “Women in Gaming & Hospitality Australasia continue to do amazing work in developing leaders that will move the gaming industry into the future.   It is critical to increase women’s participation in this fantastic industry as they bring a different leadership perspective, skillset and vision to the industry. Continually enhancing diversity within leadership groups can only lead to better outcomes for any business.   We are proud to provide a WGHA member the chance to learn from world-class speakers [...]

Committed to driving change, new directors David Ronson MD of Aristocrat, and Alison Smith Group Executive External Affairs The Star Entertainment Group, are appointed to the WGHA Board. Women in Gaming & Hospitality Australasia (WGHA) is pleased to welcome the new directors to its board as the organisation continues to pursue positive outcomes for the industry. Christie Roser, Chief People and Culture Officer at Aristocrat will step up to the role of Chair following the retirement from the board of Chad Barton and Jenny Hatton-Mahon. WGHA CEO, Helen Galloway, said she was delighted to welcome the new board configuration and the diverse mix of experience, geographical representation and skill sets. “I’m thrilled to welcome David and Alison, who are both passionate about empowering women working in, or looking to work in, the gaming industry in Australasia,” Ms Galloway said after today’s 2019 WGHA AGM. “David is a passionate, people-focused leader of the Aristocrat team, is based in Sydney, and has a strong focus on building a high-performance culture. “Alison brings strong stakeholder skills to the board together with an external focus on the importance of corporate responsibility. “Alison’s appointment also increases our board presence and representation which now runs across Auckland, Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne and [...]

Women in Gaming & Hospitality Australasia (WGHA) signs seventh corporate partner. This support enables WGHA to promote gender equitable outcomes in the gaming and hospitality industry in Australia. Women in Gaming & Hospitality is an industry-driven not for profit organisation that aims to identify and remove barriers for the advancement of women in the gaming, hospitality and gaming related industries. Redcape Hotel Group has joined The Star Entertainment Group, Aristocrat, SkyCity Entertainment Group, Crown Resorts, ALH Group and Christchurch Casino as the seventh partner of Women in Gaming & Hospitality. Women in Gaming & Hospitality CEO, Helen Galloway, said the partnership with Redcape will help to expand the footprint to influence and impact the equitable outcomes in our industry. “I am thrilled to have Redcape join as a member of Women in Gaming & Hospitality. Redcape have a strong focus on people and communities. They are committed to shaping and nurturing sociable and sustainable communities and this includes their workforce of 800+ staff. Partnering with Redcape will allow us to further unite the industry for equitable outcomes for women”. Redcape General Manager Corporate Affairs & Marketing Strategy, Bianca Vlasic said; “at Redcape, we have a strong commitment to people; be it supporting our staff [...]

Women in Gaming & Hospitality Australasia (WGH) to partner with Odgers Berndtson to deliver an exclusive training program for future female leaders. Women in Gaming and Hospitality, an industry-driven not for profit organisation, dedicated to empowering women and promoting gender equitable outcomes in the workplace has partnered with global search firm, Odgers Berndtson, to deliver an exclusive training program to future female leaders. The leadership program, Finding your Voice, will foster the continual professional development of women in gaming and hospitality and has been developed based on research for supporting women’s career advancement. It is also based on lived experiences of provider Rebecca Reed, Partner and Head of Sports, Media & Entertainment Practice at Odgers Berndtson, the only executive search firm with a dedicated global gaming & wagering practice. “It is a privilege to be able to share some of my knowledge and insights with these women, who have already been identified as leaders by their organisation. Women have voices and this program is designed to help them to use theirs, to speak confidently about their career and achievements in the workplace.” says Reed. The program, commencing in July 2019, will be delivered as a five-part series over five [...]

SYDNEY/LAS VEGAS - May 16, 2019 Australian Non-Profit Women in Gaming & Hospitality to Partner with UNLV/UNR Executive Development Program (EDP) to Launch Gender Diversity Scholarship Helen Galloway, CEO of Australian non-profit Women in Gaming & Hospitality (WGH) and a graduate of the EDP class of 2013, is set to partner with the program to launch a recurring gender diversity scholarship. To promote diversity and best practices in the global gaming industry, WGH will partner with UNLV/UNR to provide an annual scholarship that covers tuition, accommodation, and airfare for one aspiring female gaming/hospitality industry executive to attend the UNLV/UNR Executive Development Program—a more that USD $10,000 (AUD $17,500) value. Currently in its 29th year, EDP is a partnership program between UNLV International Gaming Institute (IGI) and the University of Nevada, Reno College of Business and Extended Studies. The program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for prospective gaming executives to explore new industry ideas, leadership strategies, and an opportunity to network with other gaming professionals from around the globe. This year’s program will take place from November 9 - 17 in Lake Tahoe, NV. The WGH/EDP gender diversity scholarship announcement comes after last year’s announcement of the first-ever Clarion-ECA-AGEM EDP gender [...]

Women in Gaming and Hospitality Australasia is saddened to hear of the passing of Australasian Gaming Council Chairman Peter Burnett AM. Peter’s leadership, dedication and immense contribution to the industry were renowned. We extend our sincerest condolences to Peter’s family and friends. Vale Peter Burnett AM 1950-2019 Post from Australasian Gaming Council Website It is with great sadness that Directors and Staff of the Australasian Gaming Council acknowledge the passing of AGC Chairman Peter Burnett AM. Peter’s leadership and dedicated service to the hotel industry in Australia and to the Geelong community in which he lived were renowned. Peter was President of the Australian Hotels Association (Victorian Branch) from 1997 to 2018, Past President of the Australian Hotels Association (National) and Past Senior Vice-President Australian Hotels Association (National). Peter was also a past Chairman of the National Alcohol and Beverage Council (NABC), a past member of the Geelong Tourism Association (1976-1980), a past Director of Tourism Australia (2005-2009) and Chairman of the EJ Whitten Foundation. Peter was awarded the Centenary Medal for his contribution to Australian Hotel Industry in 2000 and was honoured in 2015 as a member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to the [...]

Women in Gaming & Hospitality Australasia (WGH) is pleased to announce that the Australasian Gaming Council (AGC) has joined as an affiliate partner. WGH is an industry-driven not for profit organisation that is dedicated to empowering women and promoting gender equitable outcomes in the workplace. WGH CEO, Helen Galloway, said the partnership with AGC will strengthen our industry’s approach to gender equity and inclusion. “We are pleased to welcome AGC as an affiliate partner of WGH. AGC is an industry body with members from major sectors including licensed operators, wagering providers, technology providers and manufacturers, hotels and casinos. The collective power of these members together with WGH, will help to drive a cultural shift in the sector’s approach and attitudes towards gender equity.” Nadine Grinblat, AGC CEO said the AGC sees affiliation with WGH as a natural step in reinforcing our existing commitment to gender equity. “Gender equity and responsible gambling are both vital areas of focus for a sustainable industry. They are important for our people, our customers, our businesses and the broader community. Both AGC and WGH seek to progress an industry culture that is supportive, diverse and inclusive -  and all the more healthy, vibrant and engaging for upholding these key [...]

Women in Gaming & Hospitality Australasia (WGH) is pleased to announce that ClubsACT has joined as an affiliate partner. WGH is an industry-driven not for profit organisation that aims to identify and remove barriers for the advancement of women in the gaming, hospitality and gaming related industries. WGH CEO, Helen Galloway, said the partnership with ClubsACT will help to effect positive change for gender diversity and inclusion within the sector. “We are thrilled to have ClubsACT join as a member of WGH. ClubsACT is an industry association representing the needs of Canberran community clubs. This partnership will allow us to work together to promote gender equitable outcomes in the industry.” ClubsACT President, Kim Marshall, said that the club community in Canberra has always been important leaders in inclusion. “I see them playing an even greater role to drive gender balance and influence equitable outcomes for women.  Women want to participate in our amazing industry which provides many opportunities to meet the needs of our communities”. ClubsACT is the second industry association to join WGH as an affiliate partner.

Women in Gaming Australasia (WGA) recently announced a partnership with Women Ahead, a social enterprise founded with the belief that parity between men and women will benefit individuals, organisations and society. As part of this partnership, WGA members were offered the opportunity to participate in a cross-company, cross-sector mentoring scheme. Today, the WGA Board are pleased to announce the recipients of Women Ahead Mentoring Program. WGA CEO Helen Galloway said the partnership with Women Ahead supports the development and success of women in our industry through education, mentorship, and networking opportunities. “Mentoring is one of the best ways to build sustainable female leadership and we are thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity to our members.” Galloway said. A 2017 study conducted by Moving Ahead, in collaboration with Deloitte, encompassed more than 6,000 people across 40 major UK organisations and showed that when mentoring was done well, it created 11 key benefits. These included empowering and developing confidence, creating empathetic leadership, developing core transferable skills, and accelerating culture change. “It was wonderful to receive almost 50 expressions of interest to participate in the program. We used a blind process to identify the final applicants and we are happy [...]

WGA is proud to announce its membership to the Australian Gender Equality Council (AGEC) which launches today. AGEC is Australia’s first independent, national body dedicated to driving gender equality. We are committed to creating the same rights and opportunities for women when it comes to pay, superannuation, the workplace and society. The members of WGA form part of AGEC’s member network of over 500,000 women and girls. Working together, we aim to drive a cultural shift in Australia’s attitudes towards gender equality through national campaigns, underpinned by rigorous empirical research. AGEC has released a campaign video, titled “It’s Time” to mark its launch. The video can be viewed below or on the AGEC website. There are still significant inequalities in Australia – some of which are represented in the video – despite both the suffragette movement and the Women’s Liberation Movement of the 1970s. These inequalities are what AGEC, with our help, aims to resolve: Women still receive on average 22% less remuneration than men Women’s reproductive freedom is not legislated in every State of Australia 1 in 2 women are discriminated against at work for being mothers Girls receive 27% less pocket money than boys 1 in 5 [...]