Dan Flynn named CEO of Scientific Games; Kevin Schneider becomes chairman

Dan Flynn was named chief executive officer of Scientific Games on 5 November, with the appointment effective 2 November; Kevin Schneider, who had served as interim CEO following Pat McHugh’s departure, becomes chairman of the board. Flynn joins from CDK Global, where he served as chief transformation officer at a Brookfield-owned company; the company did not disclose compensation terms.

Key appointments and dates

Scientific Games, the lottery supplier headquartered in Atlanta, announced on 5 November that Dan Flynn took the role of chief executive officer effective retroactively to 2 November. Kevin Schneider, who had led the company on an interim basis after Pat McHugh’s retirement on 8 September, was promoted to chairman of the board and will focus on strategic, commercial and operational priorities, the statement said.

Pat McHugh retired on 8 September after more than 20 years with the company; his exit was announced on 3 August, when the board began a search for a successor after setting the retirement date. The 3 August statement said McHugh would remain as vice-chair in an advisory role and named David Nowak, president of Brookfield’s private equity group, as chairman. The 5 November statement does not mention Nowak or McHugh’s advisory role.

Dan Flynn professional profile

The career profile published by Scientific Games shows Flynn coming from outside the gambling sector. The company says Flynn was chief transformation officer at CDK Global, an automotive retail technology company also in Brookfield’s portfolio, a role he returned to in 2022 to lead software modernisation and transformation. The statement adds a 2016–2019 period as executive vice president of business transformation and president of North America, overseeing Caterpillar’s global rental and used equipment business, and more than two decades at Hertz, where he finished as senior vice president of North American operations. The profile cites experience with businesses serving state and municipal customers.

Kevin Schneider, who moves to chairman, joined the board as an independent director in 2022 and was named vice-chair in March 2026. The company did not disclose financial terms of the appointment.

"Flynn brings the operational and technology leadership experience to build on that momentum," Kevin Schneider said in the statement.

Owner context and ongoing contracts

Brookfield Business Partners acquired the lottery business in 2022; when the deal was announced on 27 October 2021 the transaction was valued at up to $6.05 billion. The seller at that time, Scientific Games Corporation, is now Light & Wonder.

Flynn’s appointment comes while Scientific Games continues to operate the Maryland Lottery contract under an agreement with an indicated end date of 4 May 2027, and while appeals over the rejected award remain ongoing. State contract timelines place significant weight on the incumbent’s track record; the CEO change positions Flynn to win customers’ confidence during multi-year procurement processes. Flynn will attend the World Lottery Summit in Sydney from 9 to 13 November, the company said.

Additional sector moves: Bragg Gaming Group

In Toronto, Bragg Gaming Group said on 6 November that Matevž Mazij was moved to a strategic adviser role with immediate effect and no day-to-day management responsibilities, and that Morten Tonnesen, chief operating officer since March 2026, became interim chief executive the same day. Bragg did not provide a reason or indicate a search for a permanent successor.

Mazij founded Oryx Gaming, acquired by Bragg in 2018, and had led the company since August 2023. He left the board in July after failing to win re-election at the 18 June annual meeting. Matt Davey, whose vehicle Tekkorp Capital owns about 10.09% of Bragg’s shares, was named chairman on 22 July.

Bragg reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of €22.9 million, a 12% decline, and withdrew its 2026 guidance after buying Drayton International. The company will publish third-quarter results on 13 November.

Interpretation of the Brookfield move

Brookfield opted to place a transformation executive from another portfolio company into the top operational role rather than recruit a veteran from the lottery market. Scientific Games frames Flynn’s career around technology modernisation and large-scale operations management; Schneider’s quote reinforces that emphasis. The company did not announce strategic shifts in the statement, so the appointment reads as an operational reinforcement under Brookfield ownership rather than a strategic pivot.

Rivals such as Brightstar and Intralot compete for the same multi-year state contracts; in Maryland the reported contract end date for the incumbent is 4 May 2027 and appeals remain open. Flynn’s first public engagement with those customers will be at the World Lottery Summit. Management is betting that Flynn’s experience with public-sector customers and transformation programs will be transferable to the lottery business, where the incumbent’s track record matters in contract renewals.

Quick timeline

1. 27 Oct 2021: announcement of the sale of the lottery business to Brookfield Business Partners for up to $6.05 billion.

2. 3 Aug 2026: Scientific Games announces Pat McHugh will retire on 8 Sept 2026.

3. 8 Sept 2026: Pat McHugh retires; Kevin Schneider becomes interim CEO.

4. 2 Nov 2026: Dan Flynn assumes CEO responsibilities (effective this date).

5. 5 Nov 2026: Scientific Games publishes Flynn’s appointment and Schneider’s promotion to chairman.

6. 9-13 Nov 2026: World Lottery Summit in Sydney, which Flynn will attend.