Craig Toner

Craig Toner has established himself as a transformative leader in the gaming and business sectors, marked by a career that spans over two decades and combines financial acumen with operational know-how. His recent appointment as CEO of Aristocrat Gaming in December 2024 represents the culmination of years of dedication to the company and the broader gaming industry.

Major Achievements

During his 19-year tenure at Lion, Toner held a range of leadership positions, leading transformation initiatives across data analytics, financial services and commercial strategy. His ability to spearhead large-scale change laid the foundation for his transition into the gaming industry, where he has played an important role in Aristocrat Gaming’s success.   

Since joining Aristocrat Gaming in 2017, Toner has held several key leadership roles, overseeing financial and operational strategies that have contributed to the company’s growth. As CFO and EVP of Operations for Aristocrat Gaming, for example, he helped optimise the company’s global operations and bolster financial performance. Throughout FY 2024, under Toner’s guidance, the organisation delivered a 20% increase in earnings per share, supported by a 5% revenue rise to AU$6.6bn (US$4.15bn). Key highlights included North American gaming operations adding approximately 7,100 net units, capturing over 40% market share and the Aristocrat Interactive division recording an 85% revenue growth. 

Toner’s leadership has been more generally noteworthy for his collaborative approach and impact. As noted by Trevor Croker, Toner is “people-oriented, highly collaborative and impactful.” Such qualities have ultimately led to Toner’s appointment as CEO of Aristocrat Gaming, where he is expected to build on the company’s momentum and drive future expansion.  

Employment

Toner began his professional career in 1998 with Lion Ltd, a player in the beverage and consumer goods industry. Over nearly 20 years, he rose through the ranks, undertaking diverse commercial, strategic and operational roles. Notable positions included Corporate Strategy Manager, National Commercial Manager, Data and Analytics Director of the Transformation Program, and Shared Services Director across various functions. These roles provided him with a broad foundation in managing complex business operations and delivering value to stakeholders. 

In 2017, Toner transitioned to Aristocrat Gaming, where he embarked on a series of leadership roles that would shape his expertise in the gaming industry. Initially serving as Finance Director for the ANZ and APAC regions, he quickly climbed the ranks, becoming CFO for Class III markets across ANZ, APAC and EMEA in June 2018. By the end of 2019, he was appointed Global CFO for Land-Based Gaming, a role that positioned him at the heart of Aristocrat’s financial and operational strategies. 

Toner’s capabilities in steering Aristocrat’s global operations became even more pronounced when he was named CFO and Executive Vice President of Operations for Global Land-Based Gaming in 2020. Based in Sydney, Australia, this position saw him playing a critical role in managing Aristocrat’s international footprint. 

In 2024, Toner’s leadership credentials were further recognised when he joined the board of Kinectify, a Las Vegas-based gaming technology firm. This role allowed him to expand his influence in the industry and deepen his understanding of emerging technologies. 

Ultimately, Toner was appointed as CEO of Aristocrat Gaming in December 2024, succeeding Hector Fernandez. His appointment as CEO of Aristocrat Gaming followed his seven-year tenure with the company, during which he contributed to Aristocrat’s growth and operational performance.  

His promotion was described by Aristocrat Leisure CEO Trevor Croker as a testament to Toner’s collaborative leadership style and ability to deliver results. Croker stated: “Craig has been a key part of the global Aristocrat Gaming leadership team that has delivered strong growth and transformational change over recent years.  

“He has also worked closely with our Board and Executive Steering Committee on a number of major strategic and operational priorities. Craig is people-oriented, highly collaborative and impactful. We are delighted to be able to elevate a proven and capable leader of Craig’s calibre to this role, demonstrating again the depth of talent we have built at Aristocrat. 

“Craig will ensure a seamless leadership transition, maintaining a relentless customer focus and continuing to execute our plans. Aristocrat Gaming today is a global team with extraordinary resilience, depth and momentum, and I have every confidence that Craig will continue to build on this going forward, with the support of the many talented leaders across our global business.”