Penn Entertainment appoints former Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie Jones to compliance committee

Penn Entertainment on Monday said former Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie Jones’ appointment to the company’s compliance committee has been  formally approved by Penn’s board.

“Ronnie is a well-respected leader in the regulated gaming space, and with his background and experience we’re pleased to add him as an independent member of our Compliance Committee,” Penn Entertainment CEO and President Jay Snowden said in a statement. “Ronnie’s wealth of industry experience will be an asset to the important work of the committee, which is central to our longstanding commitment to gaming industry compliance and integrity.”

Jones served as Chair of the LGCB from 2013 to 2020. In a 45-year career in public service to the state, his roles included more than 30 years with the Louisiana State Police.

As LGCB Chair, Jones was responsible for overseeing operational integrity of gaming in the state, including 15 riverboat properties, land-based casinos, four racetrack slot gaming facilities and more than 2,000 licensed video poker establishments. His work helped lay the foundation of legislative support for the legalization of sports betting in the state in 2022.

In 2017, Jones was named North American Regulator of the Year by the International Masters of Gaming Law.

Penn’s Compliance Committee is chaired by an independent non-director member, Thomas N. Auriemma, and includes newly elected Penn board members Johnny Hartnett and Carlos Ruisanchez.