Jason Walbridge is the Chief Executive Officer of SkyCity Entertainment Group, a New Zealand-based casino and entertainment operator. He assumed the role in April 2024 (effective July 2024) after spending 23 years in Las Vegas. A former New Zealand Army lieutenant, Walbridge returned to his home country to lead SkyCity through a period of strategic transformation and regulatory oversight.
Walbridge brings more than two decades of iGaming and land-based gambling experience to SkyCity. He spent over 18 years at Aristocrat Leisure, rising to Chief Supply Officer and Managing Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa. After leaving Aristocrat in 2023, he served as a Strategic Advisor at Bridge Gaming and as Executive Chairman of the National Entertainment Network in the US, a role he held until joining SkyCity.
Earlier in his career, Walbridge was Chief Operating Officer at NYX Gaming Group before its acquisition by Light & Wonder in 2018, and later spent one year as COO for SG Digital (now part of Light & Wonder). He also sits on the board of Kinectify as Aristocrat’s representative, a position he took up in February 2024.
Walbridge’s leadership is marked by a deep understanding of both physical casinos and digital gaming platforms, making him a rare executive with holistic industry experience. His return to New Zealand after nearly a quarter-century abroad signals a new chapter for SkyCity as it navigates compliance reforms and growth opportunities.
Career History
| Company | Role | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Aristocrat Leisure | Chief Supply Officer and Managing Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa | 2006-01-01 – 2023-01-01 |
| Bridge Gaming | Strategic Advisor | 2023-01-01 – 2024-01-01 |
| National Entertainment Network (US) | Executive Chairman | 2023-01-01 – 2024-01-01 |
| SkyCity Entertainment Group | Chief Executive Officer | – present |