Slots maker WMS Gaming, owned by WMS Industries, a subsidiary of Scientific Games, has issued a fond farewell to Sebastian Salat, the 8-year President of its WMS International firm headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois. Salat has been with the company since 2000, and according to a statement from the company, his departure was a mutual decision between both parties.
It’s not clear what Sebastian Salat’s plans for the future are, but any company that gets ahold of him now would be proud to do so. His experience in marketing and sales are exceptional, particularly where the gaming industry is concerned, and at 56 years of age, he has plenty of room to continue contributing to the exponential growth of global business.
Sebastian got his start with the slots maker in January of 2000, heading up commercial efforts to expand the company’s reach across global markets. He spearheaded the growth of Orion Gaming and Systems in Progress, each acquired by WMS Gaming in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Salat’s esteemed efforts with the company earned him the venerated title of President of WMS International in January 2008.
For the last 7 and a half years, Salat has overseen all major aspects of the slot maker’s operations. According to his professional profile on Bloomberg, the former President specialized in developing “WMS’ international business strategy, market development, sales and distribution, and operational execution efforts.”
The press release from WMS Gaming included statements from several high-ranking members of the slots maker its and parent companies.
“I am extremely grateful for the privilege of having lead an incredible team of gaming professionals for so many years,” said Mr. Salat. “Together we turned WMS into a world-class gaming organisation, which grew much stronger after the merger with Scientific Games.”
Scientific Games acquired WMS Industries and all of its subsidiaries in 2013 for a price of USD $1.5 billion.
President and CEO of Scientific Games, Gavin Isaacs, had nothing but praise for the slots maker’s highest ranking official. “As president of WMS International, Sebastian has contributed greatly to the growth of WMS’ international business throughout Europe, Latin America, Australasia and Africa,” said Isaacs.
Sebastian Salat’s resignation as of President at WMS International became effective June 30, 2015.
Scientific Games Corp, founded in 1973 and headquartered in Enterprise, Nevada, existed for three decades before entering the slot machine business. The company introduced the very first secure instant lottery ticket and 1974, and focused the majority of its efforts in the direction of lotteries right up until 2013’s WMS acquisition.
The company’s venture into slots makers was expanded further in 2014 with the acquisition of Nevada-based Bally Technologies for $5.1 billion. That business venture also spread Scientific Games into the live and electronic table games business as Bally Technologies had picked up SHFL Entertainment the previous year for $1.3 billion.
Today, Scientific Games operates as one of the world’s leading live and interactive gaming technology brands. The table games, slots maker and global lottery giant has yet to announce who will take over the permanent position as President of WMS International.