The gaming industry has been adapting and evolving, creating a more inclusive culture as businesses develop and expand across different markets.
The comments were made on Tuesday by panellists during a “Women in Gaming” event, a networking session hosted in the Philippine capital, Manila, by casino equipment and game technology developer Light & Wonder Inc.
“I think we’ve evolved a lot as an industry,” said Siobhan Lane, chief executive of gaming at Light & Wonder, during the panel.
“Eighteen years ago, I think I could count the number of female leaders on one hand that I could look up to as a young professional, with aspirations of growing my career,” she stated.
“I think we’ve come a long way in that journey, and you just need to look at these events like we’re hosting today; nothing like that existed 18 years ago when I started in the industry,” said the executive, adding that the industry “has been working to create more diverse workforces and profiles”.
She added: “If we look at our players and all of the gaming markets that we operate in around the globe, we’re servicing a diverse set of customers.”
The members of the panel – moderated by Randi Topham, chief of staff and head of marketing – gaming at Light & Wonder – said it was important to “continue to raise awareness around the importance of diversity” in the workplace and on how “women can play a leadership role for underrepresented groups”.
Wilma Eisma, president and chief operating officer of the country’s gaming regulator, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor), said the country was “one of the most advanced in terms of diversity and inclusion”.
“However, there’s still a lot of things to do” in order to promote a more diverse workplace and better representation at the higher levels of organisations, added Ms Eisma.
“There shouldn’t be any ceilings. Everybody in an organisation, both men and women, should not think that there is a ceiling because each and every one of us can work hard and reach higher,” she stated.
Also speaking on Tuesday, Manida Lau, vice president for business solutions and member experiences at casino resort Okada Manila, observed that the role of mentorship was important to promote a healthy workplace.
Highlighting the nuances of male and female leadership, Ms Lau said what she had learned over the years had given her the foundation to now be able to mentor younger professionals.
Gaming industry keeps evolving as a place of inclusivity: panel
