Gambling has a long and fascinating history, but it's only recently that those in the profession have chosen to honor their colleagues with exemplary careers with election to the Gaming Hall of Fame.

Induction into the Gaming Hall of Fame is the highest honor accorded by the gaming-entertainment industry.  Each year, two or more individuals who have distinguished themselves through significant contributions to the gaming-entertainment industry receive this honor. 

Created in 1989 with the induction of gaming industry legends Warren Nelson, Jay Sarno, William Harrah, Grant Sawyer and E. Parry Thomas, the Gaming Hall of Fame now holds more than 60 members, including such industry giants as William Boyd, J. Terrence Lanni and Steve Wynn. 

The AGA solicits nominations from its members, and then AGA staff and members of the Board of Directors confer to make the final selections.

Over the years, the Hall of Fame’s mark of distinction has been expanded in recent years to include culinary visionaries and entertainment legends, such as Wolfgang Puck, Frank Sinatra, Wayne Newton, Debbie Reynolds, who have helped shape the American gaming industry. 

This exhibit chronicles the lives of those who have been inducted into the Gaming Hall of Fame. Browse the list below and click on a specific inductee to learn more about the fascinating people who have shaped the gaming industry's evolution.

Photo: 2008 inductees (left to right)-- Bob Arum, Bernie Goldstein, Don King Emeril Lagasse

• Sheldon Adelson

• William R. Eadington

• Charlie Palmer

• Blue Man Group

• Tim Parrott

• Michael Gaughan

• Bernard Goldstein

• Bob Arum

• Don King

• Emeril Lagasse

• John Wilhelm

• Clifford Perlman

• David Copperfield

• Michael Mina

• Steve Wynn

• Alex Stratta

• Franco Dragone

• Craig H. Neilsen

• Larry Ruvo

• Debbie Reynolds

• Wolfgang Puck

• Jack Binion

• Don Rickles

• Fred Benninger

• Phil Satre

• Tom Jones

• Shannon Bybee

• Merv Griffin

• Harry Reid

• Paul Anka

• J. Terrence Lanni

• Wayne Newton

• Del Webb

• Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme

• Elaine Wynn

• Jack Entratter

• Siegfried & Roy

• Anthony Marnell II

• Lud Corrao

• J.K. Houssels, Jr.

• Thomas Young, Sr

• Charles Mathewson

• Frank Sinatra

• Donald Carano

• Paul Endy

• Michael Rose

• Len Ainsworth

• Burton Cohen

• Donald Trump

• Frank Modica

• Bud and Jean Jones

• William Boyd

• Henry Gluck

• Harvey and Llewellyn Gross

• Leonard Prescott

• John Ascuaga

• Sol Kerzner

• Claudine Williams

• Sam Boyd

• James Crosby

• Kirk Kerkorian

• Don Laughlin

• Bill Pennington

• Si Redd

• Bill Bennett

• Benny Binion

• Jackie Gaughan

• Barron Hilton

• Raymond Smith

• Warren Nelson

• Jay Sarno

• William Harrah

• Grant Sawyer

• E. Parry Thomas

2007 inductees (left to right): Gary Loveman, David Copperfield, Clifford Perlman, Michael Mina, John Wilhelm, Frank Fahrenkopf