IGT appoints Hector Fernandez as CEO to drive growth

IGT, one of the world’s leading gaming technology and services companies, has officially appointed Hector Fernandez as its new Chief Executive Officer. The announcement, made on December 3, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the company’s history, as it enters a new era following the integration of legacy IGT Gaming & Digital with Everi Holdings. Fernandez is tasked with guiding the combined enterprise through a period of strategic innovation, operational integration, and international market expansion.

The leadership change comes amid an increasingly competitive gaming landscape, where operators and technology providers are seeking agile, innovative partners capable of delivering integrated gaming, digital, and financial technology solutions. Hector Fernandez’s appointment signals IGT’s commitment to strengthening its global presence, enhancing product offerings, and maintaining a culture of excellence across all business units.

Hector Fernandez Brings Extensive Industry Experience

Hector Fernandez joins IGT with a substantial track record in the gaming industry. He previously held the position of CEO at a major global competitor, where he led initiatives that expanded market share, improved revenue performance, and enhanced operational efficiency across multiple regions. Fernandez’s leadership experience spans both traditional land-based gaming operations and digital platforms, equipping him with the strategic insight necessary to manage IGT’s diverse portfolio of products and services.

Based in Las Vegas, Fernandez will oversee the company’s global operations from IGT’s headquarters, ensuring that the company’s strategy is aligned across gaming, digital, and financial technology sectors. His appointment reflects a broader vision to integrate the expertise and capabilities of the legacy IGT and Everi teams, creating a unified enterprise capable of addressing the evolving needs of gaming operators and their customers worldwide.

In his first public statement as CEO, Fernandez emphasized both the opportunity and responsibility inherent in his new role:

“I’m honored and excited to lead IGT into its next chapter. This is a company with strong talent, deep industry relationships, and significant potential.

As we bring together the legacy IGT and Everi teams, in partnership with Apollo, we have an opportunity to evolve how we operate, innovate, and deliver for our customers. I’m looking forward to working with our teams around the world to define what’s next for IGT.”

Apollo Expresses Strong Confidence in New Leadership

Daniel Cohen, Partner at Apollo and Chair of IGT’s Board of Directors, expressed confidence in the company’s future under Fernandez’s leadership. He highlighted the importance of combining the expertise of legacy IGT and Everi employees with new hires drawn from both inside and outside the gaming industry. According to Cohen, this leadership approach is designed to accelerate product innovation and strengthen global partnerships.

“Led by Hector and a talented team of leaders from across the legacy IGT Gaming & Digital and Everi businesses, as well as key new hires from inside and outside the industry, we believe the combined enterprise will accelerate growth, enhance product and content innovation, and become an even stronger partner to its customers.

Hector shares our commitment to fostering a high-performing, people-first culture, and we are confident he will lead this team to new heights.”

Cohen’s remarks underscore Apollo’s strategic focus on long-term value creation for IGT. By appointing Fernandez, the company aims to maintain continuity in its operations while implementing an ambitious vision for integrated gaming, digital solutions, and financial technology services.

Leadership Transition and Strategic Advisory Roles

The transition to new leadership also includes changes at the executive level. Nick Khin, who served as interim enterprise CEO and CEO of the Gaming business unit, will step down from his operational roles but will continue to provide strategic guidance. Fernandez publicly acknowledged Khin’s contributions during this critical period of corporate integration:

“Nick has contributed greatly to IGT’s progress over the past twelve years. His leadership through this transition period has been invaluable to the organization, and I want to thank him for his dedication and impact.

We appreciate his continued guidance as we move into this next chapter.”

Khin’s new role as a strategic advisor will enable him to support the senior leadership team and the board of directors in shaping long-term business strategy while ensuring stability during the integration of the combined enterprise.

Strategic Vision for the Combined Enterprise

Under Fernandez’s leadership, IGT plans to leverage the strengths of both legacy IGT and Everi to create a cohesive, market-leading organization. The company is committed to delivering solutions across three core pillars: gaming, digital, and financial technology. This integrated approach is designed to serve both land-based and online operators, addressing the growing demand for seamless player experiences and efficient operational systems.

Gaming Division Focus

The Gaming division, a cornerstone of IGT’s operations, will continue to deliver innovative slot machines, electronic table games, and advanced casino management systems. Fernandez has emphasized the importance of sustaining product innovation while expanding into new markets. The company’s portfolio of games, which combines high-quality content with cutting-edge technology, positions IGT to meet the evolving expectations of operators and players alike.

Digital Division Leadership

Gil Rotem will maintain his leadership of the Digital division, which encompasses online and mobile gaming solutions. Fernandez’s strategy involves integrating digital innovations with traditional gaming operations to provide operators with a unified, flexible platform. By enhancing digital capabilities, IGT aims to increase player engagement, optimize content delivery, and drive revenue growth in regulated markets worldwide.

FinTech Division Development

Darren Simmons will continue to lead IGT’s FinTech business, which offers payment and financial technology solutions to operators globally. Fernandez views FinTech as a critical component of the company’s integrated strategy, enabling secure, efficient, and scalable transactions across both land-based and online gaming channels.

Operational Integration and Market Expansion

A key priority for Fernandez is the operational integration of legacy IGT and Everi businesses. This involves harmonizing processes, streamlining management structures, and aligning strategic objectives to create efficiencies and enhance performance. The company anticipates that this unified structure will not only optimize operational workflows but also accelerate innovation pipelines, fostering the development of new products and services that address the needs of a global customer base.

By strengthening its international footprint, IGT aims to capitalize on emerging opportunities in both established and regulated markets. Fernandez’s leadership is expected to drive growth through strategic partnerships, product diversification, and expansion into new regions, ensuring that the company remains competitive in an evolving industry.

Commitment to Corporate Culture and Talent Development

Fernandez has also highlighted the importance of fostering a high-performing, people-first corporate culture. This involves investing in employee development, encouraging innovation, and promoting collaboration across divisions. By maintaining a focus on talent and leadership, IGT seeks to create an environment where creativity and operational excellence can thrive, ultimately benefiting both customers and shareholders.

“As we bring together our teams globally, it is essential that we maintain a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability,” Fernandez said. “Our employees are our greatest asset, and their expertise and dedication will drive IGT’s success in the years ahead.”

This commitment to culture underscores the company’s long-term approach to sustainable growth, emphasizing both operational performance and employee engagement as key drivers of success.

Outlook for IGT Under Fernandez’s Leadership

With Hector Fernandez at the helm, IGT is poised to navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving gaming market. The company’s strategy focuses on three primary objectives: advancing innovation, optimizing global operations, and enhancing customer relationships. By aligning its gaming, digital, and FinTech divisions under a unified vision, IGT aims to deliver integrated solutions that meet the demands of operators and players worldwide.

Fernandez’s leadership represents both continuity and transformation. While preserving the company’s core strengths and legacy, he is committed to exploring new opportunities and expanding IGT’s reach in both existing and emerging markets. The combination of strategic focus, operational integration, and a people-first culture positions the company to achieve sustainable growth and long-term success.

Conclusion

The appointment of Hector Fernandez as CEO represents more than a simple leadership change for IGT; it signals a strategic evolution for a company at the forefront of the gaming industry. Under Fernandez’s guidance, the combined IGT and Everi enterprise is poised to redefine the standards of innovation, operational excellence, and customer engagement. His extensive experience, coupled with a clear vision for integration and growth, ensures that the company is not only equipped to navigate current market challenges but also to capitalize on emerging opportunities across land-based and digital gaming sectors.

By fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and accountability, Fernandez is setting the stage for a company that balances technological advancement with human-centric leadership. The unified structure of gaming, digital, and FinTech divisions under his stewardship is expected to enhance efficiency, accelerate product development, and deliver seamless solutions that meet the evolving demands of global operators and players.

Ultimately, Fernandez’s leadership embodies a forward-looking approach that blends stability with transformation. IGT’s trajectory under his guidance promises sustained growth, strengthened market positioning, and a renewed commitment to innovation, making the company a resilient and dynamic force in the global gaming landscape. The next chapter of IGT is poised to be defined not just by its products or technologies, but by the vision, strategy, and leadership that Hector Fernandez brings to the enterprise.

FAQs

What is Hector Fernandez’s role at IGT?
Hector Fernandez has been appointed CEO of IGT and will oversee the combined enterprise, including gaming, digital, and FinTech divisions.

When did Hector Fernandez become CEO of IGT?
Hector Fernandez was officially appointed CEO of IGT on December 3, 2025.

Who did Hector Fernandez replace as CEO?
He replaced Nick Khin, who served as interim enterprise CEO and CEO of the Gaming business unit.

What experience does Hector Fernandez bring to IGT?
He has previously served as CEO of a major global gaming competitor and has extensive experience in market expansion, revenue growth, and operational leadership.

Where is IGT headquartered?
IGT’s headquarters are based in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.

What divisions will Hector Fernandez oversee?
He will oversee the Gaming, Digital, and FinTech divisions of the combined IGT and Everi enterprise.

What role will Nick Khin take after stepping down?
Nick Khin will transition to a strategic advisory role, supporting senior leadership and the board of directors.

What is IGT’s strategy under Fernandez’s leadership?
The strategy focuses on innovation, operational integration, global market expansion, and enhancing customer experience across all divisions.

Who expressed confidence in Fernandez’s appointment?
Daniel Cohen, Partner at Apollo and Chair of IGT’s Board, expressed strong confidence in Fernandez’s leadership and vision.

How will the company benefit from the leadership transition?
The transition is expected to accelerate growth, streamline operations, foster innovation, and strengthen global partnerships.