10 Women Rising in Gaming
Jennifer Shatley
Company, position: Responsible Online Gaming Association, Executive Director
Were you familiar with gambling, casinos, sports betting, or any other facets of the industry before you started? Did anything surprise you about the industry when you first started?
When I started at Harrah’s Entertainment, my only experience with the industry was a trip to a riverboat casino in Tunica, Mississippi, and a visit to Las Vegas. In truth, I hadn’t set out to work in gaming at all – I had originally planned to become an attorney. But life’s twists led me into a research analyst role at Harrah’s, and I quickly found myself immersed in gaming and casinos despite my limited exposure to the industry.
What surprised me most was the breadth and diversity of opportunities available within the industry, well beyond what would be considered traditional gambling-related roles. I was also struck by how little was understood about the complexities of problem gambling or how to actively encourage engaging with gaming in a responsible way. There was very little research or evidence to drive industry practices or policy, particularly when it came to proactive solutions. At that time, most responsible gaming programs were underdeveloped and reactive. If someone said they had a problem, the standard response was simply handing them a brochure. There were no comprehensive programs, few meaningful interactions, and very little research to guide decision-making. That realization fueled my determination to help build a stronger evidence base and drive innovation for more comprehensive and effective responsible gaming practices, and create an entirely new responsible gaming-focused role within the industry.
What do you like about working in gaming? What is it about the industry that keeps you engaged? What is unique about it?
The gaming industry never stands still. Its rapid pace of change and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact keeps me engaged and constantly motivated. Early in my career, I had the privilege of being part of many transformative “firsts” in responsible gaming – from managing the industry’s first groundbreaking corporate social responsibility initiative to creating practices and training that served as a template for today’s proactive risk assessment practices.
Each of these projects required me to challenge norms and persuade leadership to invest millions in initiatives that weren’t designed to generate revenue but to protect players. Understanding the importance of coupling innovation with integrity is what makes this industry so unique. And now, at ROGA, I get to continue driving this progress by shaping “firsts” across the online space. Most excitingly, by building a data clearinghouse that will better support players by enabling multi-state, multi-operator self-exclusions through a single operator’s platform. This clearinghouse exemplifies how collective action and innovation can drive meaningful change.
What advice do you have for women seeking careers in gaming?
Don’t hesitate to speak up, even when your ideas challenge the status quo. Throughout my career, I often found myself advocating for change at a time when many in the industry perceived it as unnecessary or unprofitable.
Remain persistent, professional, and develop a compelling, data-driven business case with evidence to support your recommendations.
Innovation often comes from unconventional voices. My own path – as a first-generation college student, a non-traditional doctoral candidate, and a female executive in a male-dominated field – has shown me that a unique perspective can be your greatest asset.
What are your long-term goals? What do you hope to accomplish?
I’ve been fortunate to be part of many “firsts” over my career, and my long-term goal is to keep driving innovation, particularly in the online space. Responsible gaming needs to move beyond being seen as a tool only for those experiencing problems. Success will mean integrating responsible gaming seamlessly into the overall player experience so that every player, regardless of risk level, has access to personalized insights and tools to support healthy play.
We’re already seeing proof that players want these tools. FanDuel’s My Spend was used by half of all users during a single NFL season, and DraftKings’ My Stat Sheet has logged more than 21 million visits. These numbers show that when responsible gaming tools are normalized and user-friendly, players engage with them.
My hope is to help the industry continue evolving toward a future where responsible gaming is not a separate, standalone program, but a natural, integral part of every play journey.
What do you wish you would have known starting out in gaming?
Looking back, I wish I had known just how interconnected the industry really is. It’s a large business, but it can feel like a small community where relationships matter immensely.
Find your champions and allies early, build networks, build teams. There are so many opportunities available, and the field is full of amazing individuals that want to help you succeed.
