SciPlay CEO Josh Wilson to step down, L&W CFO Chow to take interim oversight

Josh Wilson (pictured) is to step down as chief executive of SciPlay, the social casino business of gaming supplier Light & Wonder Inc, at the end of his current contract term on October 30. Light & Wonder said in a Wednesday announcement that it had begun a search for a successor. Josh Wilson will remain in his post until October 30 to “support an orderly handover,” the firm stated. From November 1, Light & Wonder’s chief financial officer (CFO), Oliver Chow, will assume executive oversight of SciPlay until a new CEO is appointed for the latter. Mr Chow will continue concurrently in his role as CFO of the parent company. SciPlay’s existing leadership team will continue to manage the business on a day-to-day basis during the transition, according to the announcement. Light & Wonder said there would be no change to its strategy for SciPlay or to the latter’s portfolio of social casino brands. SciPlay will also remain a distinct reporting segment of the group, the parent added. Matt Wilson, president and CEO of Light & Wonder, said Josh Wilson had made a “substantial contribution” to SciPlay over more than two decades, including taking the business through its initial public offering and developing its portfolio of social casino titles. “We are taking the time to appoint the right leader for SciPlay’s next phase,” the Light & Wonder CEO stated. “In the meantime, Oliver will work closely with the talented and experienced SciPlay leadership team, whose deep knowledge of the business, brands and players will provide important continuity as we move through this transition,” he added. The parent’s CEO also said that the group’s “confidence in the social casino category, in SciPlay’s brands and in the opportunity to grow direct-to-consumer remains unchanged”. Light & Wonder acquired the 17 percent of SciPlay it did not already own in 2023, making the social gaming operation a wholly-owned subsidiary and ending SciPlay’s separate listing on the Nasdaq stock exchange. SciPlay develops and operates social casino games, with its portfolio including titles such as “Jackpot Party Casino”, “Gold Fish Casino” and “Quick Hit Slots”.