John Connelly led Interblock as Global CEO for 11 years, building it into a top name in electronic table games. He left the top job in February 2026. Kay Oswald now runs the company, after Bala Ganesan served as interim CEO through the search.
Who Is John Connelly?
John Connelly spent more than two decades in the gaming industry before he ever ran Interblock. He built his early career at Bally Technologies, then took the top job at Interblock in January 2015. He led the company for 11 years, growing its electronic table games (ETG) business into a recognized industry leader.
Connelly studied at Bryant College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1992. He later completed the General Management Program at Harvard Business School in 2007. That mix of hands-on gaming experience and executive training shaped how he ran Interblock.
John Connelly’s Career at Interblock
Connelly joined Bally Technologies in the mid-2000s and worked his way up through roles in government relations, international markets, and mergers and acquisitions. Interblock recruited him as Global CEO in January 2015, and he held that post until early 2026.
Under his leadership, Interblock expanded its footprint to more than 348 operational markets across 145 countries. He pushed the company toward chipless, fully electronic tables, and he helped forge a major partnership with Oaktree Capital Management in 2022, which gave Interblock fresh backing for growth.
| Year | Milestone |
| 2004 | Joins Bally Technologies as Vice President of Governmental Markets |
| 2005 | Promoted to Vice President of International at Bally Technologies |
| 2011 | Named to Bally’s Executive Committee as VP of M&A and Business Development |
| 2014 | Adds the Interactive Division to his role, becomes Senior VP |
| 2015 | Appointed Global CEO of Interblock |
| 2017 | Leads Interblock’s ETG rollout with Resorts World New York City |
| 2022 | Interblock partners with Oaktree Capital Management |
| 2024 | Named to Vegas Inc.’s C-Suite Honors |
| 2026 | Steps down as Interblock CEO after 11 years |
How John Connelly Built Interblock’s Global Reach
In 2017, John Connelly led a partnership between Interblock and Resorts World New York City. That deal put more than 1,000 electronic table game units on the casino floor. He often pointed to Interblock’s long relationship with Genting’s properties as a source of pride.
He also championed chipless table games, a shift that let casinos run online blackjack, online roulette, craps, and baccarat without physical chips changing hands. That approach helped Interblock stand out on crowded casino floors.
Why John Connelly Stepped Down as Interblock CEO in 2026
Interblock announced on February 4, 2026, that Connelly was stepping down as CEO. The company called it a CEO transition and gave no specific reason for the move. Board member David Quick thanked Connelly for his years of service and credited him with driving significant growth.
Bala Ganesan stepped in as interim CEO. He had been running Interblock’s operations on an interim basis already, and he holds a managing director title at Oaktree Capital Management, the firm that owns most of Interblock’s equity. Ganesan had spent time at McKinsey, Kimberly-Clark, Mattel, and Yum! Brands before joining Oaktree in 2017.
Interblock ran a search for a permanent successor for about five months. In July 2026, the company named Kay Oswald as its new CEO. Oswald most recently led KOHPA Technologies and previously served as CEO of Technogym USA, a global leader in premium fitness equipment. What Connelly is doing next has not been made public.
John Connelly’s Awards and Community Involvement
In February 2024, Vegas Inc. named John Connelly to its C-Suite Honors, an award that recognizes leading executives across Southern Nevada. Peers and colleagues nominate honorees, who are then judged on industry impact and community contribution.
Connelly held a board seat at Gigi’s Playhouse Las Vegas, a nonprofit that supports people with Down syndrome. He also backed St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and he encouraged Interblock employees to volunteer alongside him.
Electronic Table Games vs Live Dealer Tables
John Connelly’s career centered on electronic table games, but that’s only one way to play casino classics online. Here’s how ETGs compare with live dealer tables, the other popular option at online casinos.
| Feature | Electronic Table Games | Live Dealer Tables |
| How it’s dealt | Random number generator or automated shuffler | A real, human dealer |
| Pace of play | Fast, continuous rounds | Set by the dealer and other players |
| Social interaction | Minimal, screen based | Live chat with the dealer and other players |
| Where to find it | Casino floors and online casino platforms | Land-based pits and live casino sites |
| Best for | Players who want speed and privacy | Players who want atmosphere |
The Bottom Line
John Connelly spent 11 years turning Interblock into a global leader in electronic table games. His work on chipless tables and international partnerships shaped how casinos deploy online craps, online baccarat, and other ETG products today. Kay Oswald now carries that legacy forward as Interblock’s new CEO.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is John Connelly?
John Connelly is a longtime gaming executive who served as Global CEO of Interblock from January 2015 to February 2026. Before that, he spent over a decade at Bally Technologies in roles covering government relations, international markets, and M&A.
Is John Connelly still Interblock’s CEO?
No. Connelly stepped down as CEO on February 4, 2026, after 11 years in the role. Bala Ganesan served as interim CEO until Kay Oswald was named the permanent successor in July 2026.
Why did John Connelly step down as Interblock CEO?
Interblock did not give a specific reason. The company described it as a planned CEO transition and thanked Connelly for driving years of growth at the company.
Who replaced John Connelly at Interblock?
Bala Ganesan first stepped in as interim CEO. Interblock then named Kay Oswald, former CEO of KOHPA Technologies and Technogym USA, as its permanent new CEO in July 2026.
What awards has John Connelly won?
Vegas Inc. named Connelly to its 2024 C-Suite Honors, which recognizes top executives across Southern Nevada for their industry impact and community work.