Advisor
Michael Soll, incoming President of the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG), has spent the last three decades building a foundation for this role. He has served the gaming and hospitality industries with senior roles in development, econometric research, investment banking, and as a trusted industry advisor. Moreover, Michael has deep experience in academia and the not-for-profit sector, both critical to drive the continued success of the ICRG.
Michael began his career with The Innovation Group in 1992 as a city planner and social policy analyst, with related degrees from the University of Wisconsin and the College of Public and Urban Affairs. He departed the firm in 1996, though rejoined in 2008 as President to lead its transformation from a bricks and mortar-focused leisure consultancy to a tech-savvy leisure advisory of the future. In between, Michael served as a hotel and casino industry equity analyst at Bear Stearns, Vice President Asset Management at Starwood Hotels (now Marriott), Vice President Head of Development at Caesars Entertainment, and the Vice President Casinos for Hard Rock International.
In these roles, Michael was responsible for the identification of potential US and international opportunities including their strategic planning, investment, and development. He also oversaw the structuring and negotiating of joint venture, management and license agreements. Michael has always focused on projects involving high profile implications for the industry, such as introducing gaming legislation in new jurisdictions, the analysis of large-scale leisure investment opportunities, projects related to the deployment of brands at new and existing properties, and strategic and business planning initiatives.
Meanwhile, Michael took on multiple roles in community-based organizations as a lay leader and fundraiser, often directing day-to-day activities in non-profits that were either in between executive managers, or in need of strategic realignment. In 2023, Michael’s passions for the gaming industry and philanthropy merged as he became a board member for the ICRG. The ICRG, founded in 1996, is the only funding source for scientific research on gambling disorder and responsible gambling in the United States. It has yielded nearly 500 articles published in peer-reviewed scientific journals thus far. In a quick turn of events, as he prepared to take on the chairmanship of the ICRG in 2025, Michael shifted course to lead the ICRG as its president. His mandate is to now take the ICRG to new levels as gambling addiction becomes front and center.
Michael and his family have lived in New Orleans, New York, Las Vegas, and Orlando throughout his career moves. He remains a dedicated listener of fine music and a purveyor of fine foods.
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