Light & Wonder has announced that James Sottile, the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer (CLO), will retire on December 31, 2025.
Susan Dawson, who is currently the Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, will take over his roles as CLO and Corporate Secretary.
To help with a smooth handover, Sottile will work as a consultant for Light & Wonder for one year after he leaves the company.
Dawson will move from the UK to Las Vegas for her new position. She has been with the company since 2012 and took on her current role in 2018.
Sottile has worked in law for over 35 years. He started as a partner at Caplin & Drysdale, then worked at Baach Robinson & Lewis and Zuckerman Spaeder, before joining Jones Day in 2016.
His first job in the gaming industry was in 2018 as Chief Legal Officer for Scientific Games. He held that position for over three and a half years before joining Light & Wonder in April 2022 in the same role.
Dawson also has wide experience. Besides her five years with Scientific Games and seven years with Light & Wonder, she has also worked as Head of UK Legal Services at Inspired Gaming and Legal Director at DLA Piper, among other roles.
This news comes shortly after Light & Wonder completed its purchase of Grover Gaming’s charitable gaming businesses for $850 million. This deal could also include an extra $200 million over four years based on performance.
Matt Wilson, President and CEO of Light & Wonder, stated:
Grover Gaming has become a leader in the fast-growing charitable gaming area. Bringing their assets and knowledge into our company fits perfectly with our plan to expand into other regulated markets.
