LAS VEGAS, Jan. 10, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Everi Holdings Inc. (NYSE:EVRI) (“Everi” or the “Company”), the casino gaming industry’s single source provider of gaming products and payments solutions, today announced the appointment of accomplished gaming equipment supplier executive, Dean Ehrlich, as Executive Vice President and Games Business Leader, effective January 1, 2017. Mr. Ehrlich, who will report directly to Everi’s President and CEO, Michael Rumbolz, has served as a consultant to the Company since August 1, 2016.
As Executive Vice President and Games Business Leader, Mr. Ehrlich has direct responsibilities for the Company’s Games business, including oversight of the game development studios located in Austin, Chicago and Reno, manufacturing and assembly, and Everi’s gaming operations including the New York Lottery central system operation. He assumes these responsibilities from David Lucchese who was recently appointed Executive Vice President, Digital and Interactive Business Leader, a new position at the Company.
Ehrlich joins Everi following his time at Scientific Games Corporation, which included service at WMS Industries, Inc. prior to its acquisition by Scientific Games in October 2013. From 2003 to July 2015, he held various senior management positions including SVP of Global Gaming Operations where he led an annual $675 million business for premium lease products; VP of Sales, North America where he led commercial sales operations responsible for over $500 million in annual revenue generated from product sales, gaming operations and game conversions; and Executive Director of Product Management & Strategy where he led the development of WMS’ wide-area progressive strategic initiatives. Prior to his time at Scientific Games/WMS, Ehrlich was with International Game Technology (“IGT”) from 1994 to 2003, which includes his time with Anchor Gaming, Inc. from 1994 through its acquisition by IGT in 2002. His time at IGT/Anchor included serving as General Manager of the Proprietary Games Division and Director of Product Marketing: IGT MegaJackpots. Mr. Ehrlich has a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University.
“Dean enhances the depth of our Games management team as he is a proven leader with significant expertise and experience in the gaming industry,” said Michael Rumbolz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Everi. “Throughout his more than 20 years in the industry Dean has demonstrated a track record of success in driving gaming equipment sales, fostering innovative product development initiatives in a variety of areas including wide-area progressive products, and optimizing manufacturing and supply chain operations. We expect Dean’s strong management skills along with his extensive gaming industry experience, relationships and knowledge of our customer base will be instrumental in helping us to further execute on our goal to grow the sales and profitability of our Games business.
“The addition of Dean to the management team also provides an opportunity for us to expand our focus on our digital and interactive business. Dave Lucchese brings extensive gaming industry knowledge as well as product and development expertise that will enable us to establish the strategic vision for our digital and interactive business as we seek to further leverage our gaming content expertise across new distribution channels.”
Dean Ehrlich commented on his appointment, “Having worked closely with Mike and many other members of the Everi team over the last five months, including at the G2E trade show last September, I know this is an exciting time to join the Company. Customer reaction to our newest products which premiered at G2E was very favorable and we have an excellent product development roadmap in place that we expect will help grow our business. In addition, significant progress has been made in refining processes and operating practices throughout our Games segment which is already benefiting our game development, manufacturing and sales initiatives. By partnering with both our employees and our customers, I look forward to achieving our growth initiatives across the Games business and becoming a premiere electronic gaming machine supplier of choice.”
About Everi Holdings
Everi Holdings is dedicated to providing video and mechanical reel gaming content and technology solutions, integrated gaming payments solutions and compliance and efficiency software. The Company’s Games business provides: (a) comprehensive content, electronic gaming units and systems for Native American and commercial casinos, including the award winning TournEvent® slot tournament solution; and (b) the central determinant system for the video lottery terminals installed at racetracks in the State of New York. The Company’s Payments business provides: (a) access to cash at gaming facilities via Automated Teller Machine cash withdrawals, credit card cash access transactions, point of sale debit card transactions, and check verification and warranty services; (b) fully integrated gaming industry kiosks that provide cash access and related services; (c) products and services that improve credit decision making, automate cashier operations and enhance patron marketing activities for gaming establishments; (d) compliance, audit and data solutions; and (e) online payment processing solutions for gaming operators in states that offer intrastate, Internet-based gaming and lottery activities.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements often address our expected future business, plans, objectives and financial performance, and often contain words such as “goal,” “target,” “future,” “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “project,” “may,” “should,” or “will” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or assumed, including, but not limited to, the risks identified in the "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business" sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, as applicable, and the other risks identified from time to time in our other press releases, reports and filings with the SEC. If any of our projections or assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from the forward-looking statements.