Aristocrat hires US 'gaming legend'


Aristocrat hires US 'gaming legend', by Allison Jackson - 10th July 2003
(Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)


Poker machine maker Aristocrat Leisure has hired a gaming industry consultant to help turn around the performance of its US operations.

Describing Bob McMonigle as an industry legend, Aristocrat said the former executive vice-president of sales for International Game Technology, of the US, would play a key role in driving future sales of poker machines in the North and South American markets.

"In the US gaming industry, he has legendary status," Aristocrat's spokesman, Alan Jury, said.

The appointment comes just over a week after former Tabcorp finance director David Simpson joined Aristocrat's board.

A statement from the president of Aristocrat's US operations, Gavin Isaacs, said Mr McMonigle would "provide a valuable ambassadorial service for the company given his standing in the industry, especially with casinos and regulators, as well as mentoring our expanding sales force".

During 13 years at IGT, Mr McMonigle was responsible for sales around the world and gaming development in Colorado, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Louisiana, Michigan, Delaware, Rhode Island and Canada.

Market enthusiasm for the recent appointments has been tempered by concerns about the length of time it was taking Aristocrat to find a new chief executive and chairman.

"Getting a consultant with good experience is going to be helpful. [But] it is just one of a number of things they have to address," a fund manager said.

Aristocrat sacked former chief executive Des Randall after the company was forced to downgrade full-year profit forecasts by $28.8 million because of a failed contract in South America and weaker-than-expected US performance.

Mr Randall subsequently launched legal action against Aristocrat claiming the company owed him almost $13 million.

Shares in Aristocrat rose 2c yesterday to $1.51.

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