News came yesterday, in the form of a company press release, that the Board of Directors had accepted the resignation of its Chairman, G Thomas Baker, at the IGT annual shareholders meeting in Reno. He will be replaced by TJ Matthews who has been President and Chief Executive Officer since 2003 and Chief Operating Officer since 2001.

Tom Baker joined IGT in 1988 as Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer, and was named President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer in March 1996 after a brief absence from the company between August 1995 and February 1996. In October 2003 he became Chairman of the Board.

The cause and effects of problem gambling have long been a priority for IGT and Mr Baker. He is a board member of the National Center for Responsible Gaming and the American Gaming Association. IGT, a leading manufacturer of gaming equipment, considers that everyone in the gaming industry should take a pro-active stance on dealing with both problem and underage gambling, and to promote responsible gaming. They had an ardent supporter of this policy in G Thomas Baker who stated that corporate success involves more than profit: “It is imperative, as never before, to be responsive to social concerns related to problem gambling. Our commitment to responsible gaming is a vital component of our current business practices.”

IGT believes in educating its employees in awareness of problem gambling and encourages responsible gaming initiatives among its customers. It is the only gaming equipment manufacturer in the world that has a full-time position dedicated to responsible gaming. During Tom Baker’s tenure as Chairman of IGT the company has consolidated its growth around the world, establishing its leadership for the manufacture of systems and electronic gaming devices. In an increasingly competitive market he has left his successor, TJ Matthews, a solid foundation on which to build. (E-03.02.05)

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