Matt Wilson leads Light & Wonder as President and CEO. He has spent almost twenty years in the gaming industry. Wilson built his career on strong sales results and steady leadership.
He now runs one of the largest cross-platform games companies in the world. Light & Wonder makes slot machines, table games, and iGaming products. The company also owns SciPlay, a social casino games business.
Wilson took the top job at a key moment for the company. Light & Wonder had just rebranded from Scientific Games and was working to cut its debt. His leadership has shaped how the company grew from there.
Who Is Matt Wilson
Wilson holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Wollongong in Australia. He later completed the Advanced Management Program at Wharton Business School.
He lives in Las Vegas with his wife and three daughters. Outside of work, Wilson competes in triathlons.
From Aristocrat to Light & Wonder: His Career Path
Wilson spent more than fifteen years at Aristocrat before joining Light & Wonder. He started as a business development executive in January 2006. Within two years, he moved up to regional sales manager.
His roles kept growing from there. He became VP of marketing Americas, then SVP of sales and marketing. He later served as SVP of global gaming operations, where he built recurring revenue strategies for the company.
His final Aristocrat role was president and managing director Americas. In this seat, he ran the commercial side of Aristocrat’s entire Americas business.
Wilson joined Light & Wonder, then called Scientific Games, in March 2020. He became interim CEO in August 2022. Two months later, the board named him president and CEO.
Matt Wilson’s career timeline
| Years | Role | Company |
| 2006–2008 | Business development executive, then regional sales manager | Aristocrat |
| 2012–2014 | VP of marketing Americas | Aristocrat |
| 2014–2015 | SVP of sales and marketing | Aristocrat |
| 2015–2020 | SVP of global gaming operations, then president and managing director Americas | Aristocrat |
| 2020–2022 | EVP and group chief executive of gaming | Light & Wonder |
| Aug–Oct 2022 | Interim chief executive officer | Light & Wonder |
| Oct 2022–present | President and chief executive officer | Light & Wonder |
What Wilson Does as CEO
As CEO, Wilson sets the strategy for Light & Wonder’s growth. He oversees product development, manufacturing, supply chains, and sales across the company.
Since taking the top job, Wilson has worked to reshape Light & Wonder into three focused units. These are Gaming, iGaming, and SciPlay. Each business works on its own, but they share technology and player insights.
Wilson has also pushed the company to reduce its debt load. This deleveraging effort has helped Light & Wonder invest more in new products and games.
In 2023, Light & Wonder added a secondary stock listing on the Australian Securities Exchange. This move gives Australian fund managers a way to invest in the company alongside its main Nasdaq listing. Demand for the ASX shares beat the company’s own expectations.
Awards and Recognition Under His Leadership
Light & Wonder has picked up major industry honors during Wilson’s time as CEO. In 2022, the company won Casino Supplier of the Year and Casino Product of the Year at the Global Gaming Awards Asia. The product award recognized the MDX 10-Deck Shuffler.
In 2023, Light & Wonder won Retail Supplier of the Year at the Global Gaming Awards London.
Products Launched Under Wilson’s Leadership
At the Global Gaming Expo in October 2022, Light & Wonder unveiled several new products under Wilson’s watch. These included the Cosmic slot cabinet and a live casino experience called Light & Wonder Live Dealer.
The company also launched the Card Recycler, a sustainable tool built for casino operators. These launches show how Wilson has pushed Light & Wonder to build both entertainment and operational value for casinos.
Wilson’s View on the Gaming Industry
Wilson speaks often about where the gambling industry is headed. At the 2026 Gaming Conference in Las Vegas, he described a “K-shaped economy” in gaming. Higher-income players keep spending, he said, while other players feel more pressure from rising costs.
He also flagged prediction markets as a growing challenge. Wilson has called for stronger regulation as these platforms compete for the same players as traditional casinos and sportsbooks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Matt Wilson?
Matt Wilson is the President and CEO of Light & Wonder, a global games company. He has led the company since October 2022.
What was Matt Wilson’s role before becoming CEO?
He served as EVP and group chief executive of gaming at Light & Wonder from March 2020. Before that, he spent over fifteen years at Aristocrat in sales and leadership roles.
What companies does Light & Wonder own?
Light & Wonder operates three main businesses. These are Gaming, iGaming, and SciPlay, its social casino games unit.
Where did Matt Wilson go to school?
Wilson earned a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Wollongong in Australia. He also completed the Advanced Management Program at Wharton Business School.
What awards has Light & Wonder won under Wilson?
The company won Casino Supplier and Casino Product of the Year at the 2022 Global Gaming Awards Asia. It also won Retail Supplier of the Year in 2023.
