Microgaming CEO Steps Down After 17 Years’ Service to the Company

It was recently announced that Microgaming CEO John Coleman is planning to step down at the end of 2021. The former leader of one of the world’s most prominent iGaming brands has decided that he needs a fresh challenge after working for the company for the last 17 years. He will be replaced by another long-term servant of the brand, Andrew Clucas, who is currently working as Microgaming’s chief operating officer. This spells a new era for the company, but there is no reason why it can’t continue setting the standard in the online casino industry.

John Coleman to Step Down as CEO

Coleman has been the CEO of Microgaming for the last three years, having been appointed in June 2018. Prior to that, the Irishman had been the chief financial officer for almost 14 years. After a hugely successful tenure with the iGaming company, Coleman decided that it was time to step down and pursue other projects. In a recent statement on the Microgaming website, Coleman said:

“I am honoured to have led Microgaming as CEO – such an incredible business and people. After 17 years at the company, this is a natural time for me personally to embark on the next adventure. Microgaming has a strong leadership structure in place and an exciting future ahead, and I am delighted to announce Andrew Clucas as my successor. – Andy is a brilliant colleague, friend and leader, and I have every confidence that he will steer Microgaming to new success.”

The successor that Coleman mentioned in his announcement is Clucas, a former Royal Airforce pilot who joined Microgaming in 2009. Clucas’s rise within the company has been astounding. After heading up various divisions throughout his first decade, he took on the role of chief operating officer in 2018. He was clearly the natural replacement for Coleman, with the two having worked closely together over the last few years. Clucas stated that it was a high honour to be named the CEO of such an esteemed company and pledged to continue the amazing work done by his predecessor with the same levels of passion and drive.

The handover of responsibilities will take place at the end of December, and Clucas will take the company forward in 2022 and beyond. He will be tasked with maintaining Microgaming’s position as an industry behemoth, and in ensuring that the company continues evolving and progressing in the future.

Coleman a Big Part of Microgaming’s Continued Success

Microgaming has achieved an incredible amount in its history, with Coleman’s contributions over the last decade helping towards that success. The CEO has overseen a few of the company’s most recent achievements as it has innovated with upcoming technology, including virtual reality. For its VR Roulette game, Microgaming won the Innovator of the Year award in 2016 at the International Gaming Awards.

While Coleman has been CEO, the Isle of Man-based software provider has won innumerable accolades. In 2019, Microgaming picked up the CasinoBeats Pride of Gaming award, the Women in Gaming Diversity Award for Diversity and Inclusion, the EGR B2B award for Innovation in slot provision, and the Best Leadership Event at the ICE Awards. There are numerous other achievements that Microgaming accomplished while Coleman was in charge, but these are a few of the highlights.

On top of overseeing awards for the company, Coleman and Clucas have picked up some credit for themselves. The former won the Gaming Intelligence Hot 50 in 2019, while the latter claimed the same trophy the following year.

Microgaming was already well-established before Coleman joined the company. Indeed, it’s one of the oldest and best-known software providers in the iGaming industry. Founded in 1994, Microgaming claims to have developed the first online casino platform, thus sparking the industry that went on to achieve global domination. To survive for so long in such a cutthroat sector is commendable and is a testament to the running of the company behind the scenes. The Isle of Man-based business is constantly moving with the times and ensuring that it remains as one of the leaders that others look to for inspiration.

Best Known for Slots and Forward-thinking Ideas

Microgaming is best known for being one of the most successful slot developers on the planet. It has produced some iconic games which have driven the genre forward, including Tomb Raider, Jurassic World and Immortal Romance. It is still pushing the boundaries and creating new offerings, with titles like Game of Thrones Power Stacks among the best new slots alongside up-and-coming developers like ELK Studios and Nolimit City. The fact that Microgaming is still considered one of the best in the business for reel spinners highlights how the company is always looking to move with the times.

Microgaming is renowned for having broken various records with Mega Moolah, which was one of the first ever progressive jackpots. The game famously paid out lottery-like wins of more than £7 million in 2009 and £13.2 million in 2015. Both results set the Guinness World Record for largest online casino pay out. The game also spawned a thriving offshoot of traditional slots. Nowadays, when players log on to online casinos, they will see various games with rolling jackpots that pay out randomly to lucky winners over a network.

Aside from slots, Microgaming has one eye on the future and is ensuring that it is positioned to take care of any emerging technology that may go mainstream. This was highlighted with its creation of VR Roulette in 2015. At this time, many analysts expected virtual reality to go mainstream the following year. This hasn’t come to fruition yet, but Microgaming is well-placed to capitalise on the platform if it becomes an essential household item.

Microgaming has gone through various CEO changes over its 27-year history, and this has never had a negative effect on its dominance in the online casino industry. Clucas will be expected to continue steering the ship in the right direction, adjusting course where he sees fit to ensure that the company stays ahead of the competition.