Freeman’s departure was made public in an email sent by the AGA, which stated that the national trade group would now begin its process of finding someone to replace the outbound executive.

The email also stated that Freeman had departed as a result of accepting the role of President and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), the leading lobbyists for the $2.1tn food industry.

The search process for his replacement has already begun as Freeman is expected to vacate his role at the end of July. In the meantime the AGA Executive Committee, including Freeman, are busy building a transition plan to help ease the departures impact on the group.

The email, which was sent by Tim Wilmott, the AGA Chairman, discussed the achievements that Freeman had overseen, stating: “The AGA accomplished many important successes during Geoff’s tenure, most notably the recent Supreme Court ruling declaring the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) unconstitutional, a decision that paves the way for legalised sports betting in the US.

“Geoff and his team were also instrumental in preventing an IRS effort to decrease the slot tax threshold, protecting resort fees from a federal government effort to eliminate them in their entirety and building a strong relationship with FinCEN such that the gaming industry is now a model for anti-money laundering compliance.”