Walter Bugno

Walter Bugno

CEO
Games Global

Walter Bugno is one of the leading gambling executives in the industry and has been in the casino and iGaming sector for more than twenty years. As CEO of Games Global, Bugno has overseen the brand’s expansion, which now includes thousands of titles from over 50 partners.

Career

Games Global
Chief Executive Officer
Games Global
2021 - present
IGT
Executive Vice President of New Business & Strategic Initiatives
IGT
2020-2021
IGT
Chief Executive Officer - IGT International
IGT
2010-2020

Education

UNSW logo
UNSW
MComm, Business Administration
1982 - 1984
UNSW logo
UNSW
BComm, Marketing
1978 - 1980

Major Achievements

Walter Bugno has achieved many things throughout his career, culminating in being awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic

While at Gtech/IGT, Bugno was inducted into the Gaming Intelligence Hot 50 for 2012.

Awards & Recognition

Over the course of his decorated career, Walter Bugno has made a big difference to the success of Games Global as a company, and these are some of the awards and recognition that reflect this:

  • Slot Provider of the Year – International Gaming Awards, 2024
  • Games Studio of the Year – International Gaming Awards, 2024
  • Game of the Year – International Gaming Awards, 2024
  • Game Mechanic of the Year – CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards, 2024
  • SlotCatalog’s Games Studio of the Year (Small) – CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards, 2024
  • Rising Star of 2023 (PearFiction Studios) – International Gaming Awards

Career Highlights

Walter Bugno has had a diverse and exciting career across multiple sectors. In 1998, he became Managing Director of Lion Nathan, and in 2006, he became CEO of Tabcorp Holdings’ Casino Division

One of Bugno’s most prominent career moves came in June 2010, when he was appointed the President and CEO of Gtech S.p.A. (now rebranded as IGT), the world-renowned international gambling company specializing in slot machines and gambling technology. 

Walter held his position at Gtech for 10 years before the company merged with IGT, and then served as CEO of IGT International before becoming Executive Vice President of New Business and Strategic Initiatives. 

In 2021, Walter announced his resignation from IGT before taking the reins as Games Global’s CEO

In Their Own Words

Talking about his vision for the future of Games Global, Walter Bugno said he wants to make the company the go-to name in the casino and iGaming industries. Check out his quote below:

We’re on a journey to become The One. For us, it’s more than a destination—it’s a mindset, a cultural ethos. We aim to be the go-to name in iGaming for customers, employees, and partners alike…

Walter Bugno

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Walter Bugno?

A: Walter Bugno is the CEO of Games Global and a senior gambling executive who boasts more than 20 years of experience across the casino and iGaming sectors. 

Q: What role does Walter Bugno hold at Games Global?

A: Walter Bugno serves as Chief Executive Officer, overseeing Games Global’s global strategy, studio expansion, and partner ecosystem. 

Q: What companies did Walter Bugno work for before joining Games Global?

A: Before joining Games Global, Walter Bugno held leadership positions at Tabcorp Holdings and Gtech, which later rebranded as IGT.

Q: What is Walter Bugno known for in the gambling industry?

A: Bugno is well-known for finding large-scale gambling technology businesses and driving international growth across slots, lottery, and iGaming operations. 

Q: What awards has Walter Bugno’s leadership contributed to at Games Global?

A: Under Bugno’s leadership, Games Global studios have earned multiple International Gaming Awards, including Slot Providers and Game Studio of the Year.

References

  1. The Gaming Intelligence Hot 50 (Gaming Intelligence)