Josh Wilson to Depart as SciPlay CEO After 13 Years at Light & Wonder

Josh Wilson will step down as chief executive officer of Light & Wonder’s social casino division, SciPlay, when his current contract expires on 30 October 2026. During the search for a permanent successor, Light & Wonder’s chief financial officer, Oliver Chow, will take interim responsibility for the SciPlay brand.

SciPlay Leadership Transition: Focus on Continuity and Growth

As Wilson exits the CEO role, Light & Wonder’s board has opted for continuity with CFO Oliver Chow temporarily overseeing SciPlay. The company has stated that the change in leadership will not affect its current strategy for the social casino business or alter its portfolio of social casino brands. Light & Wonder indicated that Chow will work closely with the existing SciPlay leadership team to maintain operations and support ongoing business priorities.

"Josh has made a substantial contribution to SciPlay over more than two decades, taking the business through its initial public offering and building a portfolio of leading social casino titles alongside a strong team and culture... We are taking the time to appoint the right leader for SciPlay’s next phase," said Matt Wilson, president and CEO of Light & Wonder.

Josh Wilson's Tenure and Industry Experience

Wilson joined the company—then known as Scientific Games—in December 2013 as executive director of social games products. He progressed through the business, serving as vice-president of product, vice-president of product and operations, and then as chief operating officer of social gaming from April 2016. In January 2019, he became CEO of the social division, which soon after became SciPlay following its spinoff.

Prior to his time at Light & Wonder, Wilson worked at Williams Interactive, leading its social gaming division from June 2012 to December 2013. His earlier career included an 11-year tenure as director of online gaming at Phantom EFX between March 2001 and June 2012.

Focus Keyword: Light & Wonder Social Casino Leadership

Recent statements from Light & Wonder underscore the company's ongoing commitment to the social casino space. The board’s explicit focus is on stable leadership and continuity as they vet suitable candidates for SciPlay’s next phase. The business has communicated confidence in the social casino market segment, describing SciPlay’s brand portfolio and direct-to-consumer ambitions as unchanged.

"Our confidence in the social casino category, in SciPlay’s brands and in the opportunity to grow direct-to-consumer remains unchanged," added Matt Wilson.

Financial Performance and Market Context

In August 2026, Light & Wonder reported second-quarter revenues of A$828 million (£433.4 million). The company credited strong results across North America as a key driver of this growth. These figures illustrate the importance of the social casino division within the broader organisational portfolio, especially in light of the planned leadership transition.

Operational Strategy and Next Steps

While the board seeks a permanent SciPlay chief executive, the business will continue its strategic initiatives under Oliver Chow’s interim direction. The company’s selection of Chow, its CFO, reflects a push for operational stability and a trusted internal hand during the transition.

Recruitment efforts for the new CEO will be led by external partners, with Light & Wonder indicating "the right leader" will be appointed in due course. With no planned departures from recent business direction, the operator reassures the market and stakeholders that the leadership change will not impact player experience or product development across SciPlay brands. For more on leadership changes and executive movements across the industry, see B2B industry updates.

Looking Ahead for SciPlay and Light & Wonder

No immediate changes are expected for SciPlay products or its brand strategy following Wilson’s exit. The company’s public confidence signals stability for operators, partners and investors watching Light & Wonder’s next leadership move. As the executive search unfolds, the spotlight remains on North American growth and the resilience of the direct-to-consumer social casino model.