Grover Gaming, Inc.

History & Founding

Grover Gaming traces its roots to 1994, when it began as a distributed gaming route operator in Eastern North Carolina. The charitable gaming division, Grover Charitable Gaming, was formally established in 2013. The company was founded by Garrett Blackwelder, who continues to serve as its owner. Early growth was driven by building strong relationships with charitable organizations and delivering reliable, engaging gaming experiences.

Products & Platforms

Grover Gaming’s product portfolio is centered on electronic charitable gaming systems. Key offerings include electronic bingo and pull-tab machines that allow players to play digitally with wagers supporting charitable causes. The company also develops a library of original video slot-style games for Class II (bingo-based) and Class III (commercial) markets, all developed 100% in-house. Back-office management software, called Grover Gaming Systems, provides accounting, player tracking, and regulatory compliance tools for route operators. Additionally, the company offers turnkey route solutions including hardware, software, and operational support for charitable gaming distributors.

Market Position & Recent Developments

Grover Gaming has long been a dominant force in the U.S. charitable gaming sector, particularly in the Southeast. A landmark event occurred in February 2025 when the company announced a definitive agreement to sell its charitable gaming assets to Light & Wonder, Inc. for up to $1.05 billion. The transaction closed later in 2025, positioning Grover Gaming as a wholly owned division of Light & Wonder, retaining its brand and Greenville operations. This deal added significant scale and resources, allowing the company to accelerate product development and expand into new markets, including commercial casinos and online gaming.

Leadership

Following the acquisition, Grover Gaming is led by CEO Brian Brown, formerly COO, CFO Will Dangc appointed in May 2025, and Chief Sales Officer Brooks Lee. Founder Garrett Blackwelder stepped back from day-to-day management after the sale but remains the private owner. The company employs a dedicated team of software engineers, artists, and operations staff, with an estimated headcount in the low hundreds.