Las Vegas-based Konami Gaming shook up its leadership team Tuesday by promoting longtime industry veteran Deron Hunsberger to Vice President of North American Game Sales, a move the company says will sharpen its push into U.S. and Canadian casinos at a time when operators hunt for fresh content.
The appointment puts Hunsberger in charge of the entire land-based sales strategy for one of the biggest slot manufacturers in the world. He steps into the role with 25 years of customer-facing experience and a previous stint inside Konami, facts the company highlighted as perfect fit.
Who Is Deron Hunsberger?
Hunsberger spent more than two decades building relationships with casino operators across the continent. Before returning to Konami he held senior sales roles at other major gaming suppliers where he earned a reputation for listening to operators and delivering solutions instead of just pushing boxes.
His deep contacts stretch from tribal casinos in Oklahoma to commercial floors in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, plus key accounts in Canada. Operators who have worked with him describe a straight-shooter who understands floor performance numbers as well as anyone.
Konami believes that insider knowledge gives Hunsberger a running start. He already knows the company culture, the product road map, and many of the team members he will now lead.
Why the Move Matters Now
Casino floors face fierce competition for player time and wallet share. New slot releases must stand out in a market flooded with thousands of titles. Operators tell suppliers they need games that drive longer play sessions and higher revenue per machine.
Konami wants to answer that demand faster. The company rolled out its new Dimension series cabinets last year and plans more hardware and game launches in 2025. Having a seasoned sales leader who speaks the same language as casino buyers becomes critical when every percentage point of market share counts.
The North American slot market grew about 4% in 2024, according to industry reports, yet the gains went mostly to suppliers who placed the right games in the right locations. Execution at the sales level often decides winners and losers.
What Changes for Casino Operators
Day-to-day, most slot directors will still work with their familiar Konami sales reps. Yet Hunsberger’s promotion signals the company intends to tighten coordination between product development in Las Vegas and customer needs on the floor.
Expect more customized game mixes, faster response to performance data, and packages built around proven franchises like Solstice Celebration, Ba Fang Jin Bao, and the growing line of historical-themed titles.
One tribal operator in the Midwest who asked not to be named said the news feels positive. “Deron gets what keeps players in the seat,” he told reporters. “If he can get Konami to move quicker on the ideas we give them, everybody wins.”
Inside Konami’s Growth Strategy
| Key Focus Area | 2024 Achievement | 2025 Goal |
|---|---|---|
| New Cabinet Launches | Dimension 43, 49, and 75 | Additional portrait and curved models |
| Game Library Growth | 80+ new titles released | Faster rollout of top performers |
| Market Share Target | Held steady in top five suppliers | Gain ground in premium leased games |
Konami remains privately held and does not release exact revenue figures, but industry analysts place the company comfortably among the top five slot makers worldwide. The Sydney-based parent company, Konami Australia, also supplies machines, yet the Las Vegas office drives most North American strategy.
Leadership clearly views 2025 as a year to press the accelerator. Hiring from within for such a visible role sends the message that experience and relationships still trump outside flash.
Tom Jingoli, President and Chief Operating Officer, made that point directly in the announcement. He praised Hunsberger’s “customer commitment and passion for continuous improvement” as perfect matches for Konami’s values.
The gaming world moves fast, but sometimes the smartest play is trusting someone who already knows every turn. Deron Hunsberger now carries that trust for one of the industry’s legacy names, and casino floors from coast to coast will feel the results in the months ahead.
This appointment reminds everyone that even in a tech-driven business, people and relationships still sit at the heart of success. Here’s hoping it delivers more exciting games and bigger wins for players everywhere.
