The International Center for Responsible Gaming announced the appointment of Michael Soll as President beginning July 7.
Soll succeeds Arthur Paikowsky, who is credited with facilitating significant growth in high-quality peer-reviewed research at ICRG, transforming its ability to mitigate player harms and creating a more sustainable environment for the gaming industry. Paikowsky will join the ICRG board of directors and remain a voice in the organization’s future.
Soll has served on the ICRG board of directors since 2022 and brings nearly 30 years of gaming-industry experience to the organization. Most recently, he was president of The Innovation Group, a research and advisory firm serving the global gaming, entertainment, and hospitality industries.
Soll’s experience in gaming is matched by two decades of philanthropic leadership, where he has been a board member, fundraiser, and day-to-day administrator.
Soll began his career as a city planner and social-policy analyst. His focus shifted to finance and hospitality after directing asset management at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, then as vice president, gaming and leisure equity research at Bear Stearns & Co. Prior to joining TIG in 2008, he held planning and development roles at Hard Rock International and Caesars Entertainment, working in emerging U.S. commercial, tribal, and international gaming jurisdictions. Soll was named one of “25 People to Watch” by Global Gaming Business magazine in 2019.
“Michael’s background makes him a particularly astute choice to lead the ICRG at this moment,” said Mark Lipparelli, ICRG chair emeritus. “The Innovation Group is perhaps best known for its rigorous industry research measuring the economic and social outcomes of gambling. The appointment of a gaming-research expert like Michael gives us decades of first-hand experience, balancing stakeholder interests with research integrity and quality. It really puts a point on the current needs of the organization.”
Soll said he’s honored and privileged to begin leading the ICRG, whose mission he became passionate about while serving its board of directors.
“During his tenure, Art and team have instituted transformational changes that create a sustainable future for the organization. I’m excited to build on Art’s work and help drive significant high-quality research with actionable results,” Soll said.
