Global lottery company names Kevin Schneider as interim CEO as Board conducts search for permanent successor
Pat McHugh will retire as chief executive of Scientific Games next month after more than twenty years’ service with the company.
McHugh has served as CEO since April 2022 and will retire on 8 September, having joined the company in September 2004.
Scientific Games’ Board of Directors has appointed Kevin Schneider as interim CEO, effective upon McHugh’s retirement, as it conducts a search for a permanent successor.
Schneider has served on the Board since 2022 and as vice chair since March of this year.
Following his retirement, McHugh will remain with Scientific Games in an advisory role as vice chair to support a seamless leadership transition.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Pat for his leadership and his many contributions to Scientific Games over the past two decades,” said David Nowak, chairman of Scientific Games and president of Brookfield’s Private Equity Group. “Throughout his career, Pat has helped strengthen the company, expand its global lottery business and build trusted relationships with customers around the world. We appreciate his continued support during this transition.
“The Board has initiated the search for our next CEO and has full confidence in Kevin to lead the company as interim CEO. Serving on the Board since 2022 and as vice chair since March 2026, Kevin has a deep understanding of our business, and he is a proven leader. Kevin and our experienced leadership team will continue executing the company’s strategy while providing the continuity and service our customers have come to expect as the Board conducts its search for our next CEO.”
With over 30 years in the lottery industry, McHugh began his lottery career with GTECH (now Brightstar Lottery) in 1992 before joining Scientific Games in 2004 as vice president of North American operations. Over the next 18 years, he advanced through a series of leadership positions, including president of North America lottery systems, senior vice president of global lottery systems and chief executive of the Lottery Division, before being named CEO in 2022.
McHugh helped lead the expansion of Scientific Games’ global lottery business, advanced strategic innovations across lottery games, products and digital and retail technologies and played an important role in positioning the company for its next chapter following Brookfield Business Partners’ acquisition of the lottery business in 2022.
“I am grateful to have worked alongside so many talented colleagues and to have partnered with lottery customers around the world throughout my career, many of whom I consider friends,” said McHugh. “I am proud of what we have accomplished together, achieving new heights and many industry firsts, and I am grateful for the trust our customers and business partners have placed in Scientific Games.
“Announcing my retirement now allows the Board to conduct an open search for the best leader to guide the company through its next phase of growth while ensuring a smooth leadership transition. Scientific Games has an experienced leadership team, talented employees and a bright future, and I look forward to seeing it continue serving lotteries around the world.”
Schneider has more than 35 years of executive leadership experience leading global businesses in highly regulated industries.
Prior to joining the Scientific Games Board, he served as chief operating officer of Genworth Financial and previously led both its US Mortgage Insurance and Global Mortgage Insurance businesses as president and CEO.
Earlier executive leadership positions with GE Capital and GATX further strengthened his experience in operations, commercial strategy and organizational leadership.
“Scientific Games has earned the trust of lottery customers around the world through decades of partnership, innovation and operational excellence,” said Schneider. “I appreciate the Board’s confidence and the opportunity to serve as interim CEO.
“I look forward to working alongside our leadership team as we continue executing our strategy, supporting our customers and delivering the operational excellence that defines Scientific Games.”