The Innovation Group, organizers of the Emerging Leaders of Gaming program, and Global Gaming Business magazine have announced the honorees of the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40, a program that recognizes professionals under the age of 40 already making significant impacts in the casino gaming industry.
Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Vice Chairwoman Geneva Mojado was one of the Class of 2025 members who were celebrated during the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 Networking Reception, in partnership with Global Gaming Expo, on Wednesday, Oct. 9 in Las Vegas.
“Being part of a group of elite professionals brings great honor not only to me but to my family,” Mojado said. “I want to be a role model to my two kids, Daniel and Gloria. Daniel is now at UNLV pursuing a degree in hospitality. He loves Las Vegas but even more so helping his Tribe. I told him, he too will be a 40 under 40 in the gaming industry someday. Gloria, who plans on being a teacher or pursuing a career in sports medicine, shows her love for our youth just as I do. And for the love of sports, especially softball. My two kids are following in my footsteps and have both carried leadership roles in their middle schools and high schools.”
A diverse cross-section of professionals, nominated to be recognized for their achievements within and for their dedication to the gaming industry, were chosen by a Selection Committee comprised of respected gaming leaders.
“The latest class of honorees well reflects the modern gaming industry, with a record number of individuals already holding impressive, senior-level positions and a noticeable increase in professionals leading the critically important areas of compliance and government affairs,” said Michael Soll, president of The Innovation Group.
Roger Gros, publisher of GGB, added, “The quality of this year’s Emerging Leaders class is really extraordinary. Their accomplishments at such a young age are an inspiration to all who strive for excellence in our industry.”
Mojado has attended G2E almost every year that she has served on Tribal Council. “The networking is amazing,” she said. “You get to see gaming from a larger perspective; globally. The Expo Hall is enormous; to actually stop at every booth would take the three days it’s open.”
The event, held from Oct. 7-10 in Las Vegas, offered a Tribal Gaming track. Mojado had the opportunity to attend various education sessions such as Amplifying Tribal Influence in the 2024 Election and sessions on Class III Tribal-State Gaming Compacts.
“It was good to listen to and see our very own Soboba Casino Resort General Manager, Jason Cozart, as a speaker for ‘The Revenue and Player Trip Driving Power of In-Person Gifting,’” Mojado said. “Scott Sirois, a previous GM at SCR, was also a speaker. A good continuity program definitely helps grow the business. Soboba prides themselves on their gifting program.”
She said they also attended various networking receptions hosted by some of their vendors, such as Imagine This, a casino continuity company Soboba has worked with for more than 10 years.
This year’s G2E convention attracted more than 25,000 people, with 117 countries, territories and regions represented. The future of gaming was shared through several topics. Sports betting is coming to California and there was discussion on how the California Tribes are coming together to work out legislation.
A new tribal sports betting initiative in California could be on the ballot as soon as 2026, but it is more likely to emerge in 2028, according to a key tribal leader. Speaking at the Global Gaming Expo on Oct. 8, James Siva, chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, said tribes are restarting discussions on the future of legal sports betting in the state.
During a panel on tribal sovereignty and sports betting, Siva emphasized that any initiative brought forward by the Tribes would likely include provisions for online casino gaming.
With over 100 Tribes involved in California’s gaming landscape, reaching a consensus on the specifics of the sports betting initiative will be a challenging process. A meeting is scheduled for later this month to begin discussions, but further meetings are expected.
“We have started to think outside the box... What’s going to come out of California will be new and unique,” Siva said.
At the Soboba Casino Resort, Mojado said they are currently working with Pro Forma Advisors consulting group to find the highest and best use for a new attraction to SCR.
“We are excited to expand our economic opportunities,” she said. “Tribal Council, along with General Membership, have all the say and input in the economics engines that come along.”
Gaming is just one aspect of the many hats Mojado wears as an active member of Soboba’s Tribal Council. Since 2006, she served in the Tribal Council positions of treasurer and secretary; since 2020, she has been Vice Chairwoman. Her experience has given her great insight into what can be done for the betterment of her fellow Tribal members.
She had served on the Soboba Foundation Board for more than nine years and as Vice-Chair of the Soboba Economic Development Corporation for four years. She is currently the Chairwoman of Legacy Bancorp and serves on the Board of Directors as secretary for Legacy Bank which is 100% owned by the Soboba Band.
With her strong advocacy for education, she serves as the Chairwoman for the San Jacinto Unified School District Native American Parent Advisory Council and is a member of the board of directors for the Western Science Center in Hemet. Mojado was recently appointed to the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) on its Community Economic and Human Development Committee (CEHD).
Emerging Leaders of Gaming has established itself as the go-to network for young professionals assuming the next generation of leadership in gaming, entertainment, hospitality, food and beverage, tourism and leisure. It supports the growth and development of these rising stars on their path to success.
Global Gaming Business magazine, a division of Clarion Gaming, is the leading monthly gaming trade publication focusing on the international casino industry. Distributed to 14,000 of the industry’s most important executives around the world, as well as public officials, regulators, attorneys and Native American governments, GGB magazine is the casino industry’s complete source for business information.
The Innovation Group has long been recognized as the world’s most respected and sought-after research and advisory firm, specializing in the gaming, entertainment, hospitality and leisure industries. To date, its research and analyses have driven over $100 billion in investment decisions across more than 80 countries and six continents. The Innovation Group’s accuracy and reliability is unparalleled, with its forecasts historically tracking within 5% of actual revenues across the most complex of gaming jurisdictions throughout the globe.
The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians congratulated Mojado on her recognition by stating they are proud of her for being selected as part of the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40, Class of 2025. “Her vision and dedication have helped the Soboba Casino Resort achieve many of its successful goals,” they said.
Soboba Casino Resort offers an intern program for Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Tribal Members who are seeking a career in the gaming industry. Those who intern spend several weeks in each department of the casino.
“We are revamping our Tribal Management Program to help those who want to become a supervisor, manager or even Director; it’s still in the works,” Mojado said. “I’m the Council liaison to our Soboba Youth Council, hoping to inspire and guide them to be the future leaders of the Tribe.”
Photos courtesy of Daniel Valdez Jr.
