A prominent Native American Tribal leader in the US, Lance was the longest-serving Secretary of Commerce in the history of the Chickasaw Nation. In his role at the Oklahoma-based Tribal nation, he was responsible for 7,000 employees and over 60 gaming, hospitality, retail and media commercial operations.

Aristocrat noted: “Upon stepping down as Secretary of Commerce, Mr Lance was given the honorary title of the Chickasaw Nation’s Secretary of State as part of a planned succession. 

“In this role, Mr Lance continues to represent the Nation on multiple Tribal and other national and state level organisations across the United States, such as on the executive committees of the American Gaming Association and Greater Oklahoma City Chamber.”

He is currently a member of the Board of the Chickasaw Foundation, also serving on the Board of Directors of NASDAQ-listed company BancFirst. Lance previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Oklahoma Foundation, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce Advisory Council, and as a regent for the University of Arts and Sciences of Oklahoma.

“I am delighted to welcome a Director of Bill’s calibre to the Board,” said Aristocrat Chairman Neil Chatfield. “His decades of experience as a major gaming operator and a Tribal leader of national standing in the US will bring valuable new perspectives to the Board’s deliberations. 

“I’m confident that Bill will further strengthen the customer focus of our organisation as a whole. I congratulate Bill on his nomination and look forward to his contribution to Aristocrat.”

Aristocrat shareholders will be asked to elect Lance as a Non-Executive Director of the group at its Annual General Meeting in February 2023.

Last month, Aristocrat agreed a deal to acquire UK-based iGaming supplier Roxor Gaming.