Aristocrat in leadership shakeup with former Light & Wonder exec Dylan Slaney to lead online unit, Barry French taking over corporate affairs
Summary
Aristocrat Leisure Limited has announced a senior reshuffle: Moti Malul, CEO of Aristocrat Interactive, will step down in March 2026, while Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Natalie Toohey leaves immediately. Dylan Slaney — formerly CEO of Light & Wonder’s iGaming business — is set to replace Malul and is expected to start on 3 November 2025, subject to regulatory approvals. Barry French has been appointed to the expanded role of Chief Corporate Affairs & Marketing Officer with immediate effect. Both Slaney and French will report to Group CEO Trevor Croker and join the Executive Steering Committee. Slaney will be based in London; French in Las Vegas.
Key Points
- Moti Malul will step down as CEO of Aristocrat Interactive in March 2026.
- Dylan Slaney to become CEO of Aristocrat Interactive, expected to start 3 November 2025 pending regulatory approvals.
- Slaney brings 10+ years of global iGaming leadership, including roles at Light & Wonder, NYX and SG Digital, with a customer-first operational track record.
- Natalie Toohey exits immediately after seven years; she will support a transition in a consulting capacity.
- Barry French appointed Chief Corporate Affairs & Marketing Officer, bringing 35+ years of experience from sectors including telecommunications and aerospace (previously Inmarsat and Nokia).
- Both new appointees will report to Trevor Croker and sit on Aristocrat’s Executive Steering Committee.
- Appointments aim to accelerate Aristocrat’s iGaming momentum (including iLottery) and strengthen global marketing and stakeholder engagement.
Content summary
The announcement formalises a planned exit for Aristocrat Interactive’s current CEO and an immediate handover in corporate affairs. Aristocrat highlights Dylan Slaney’s operational expertise in iGaming and his history of driving growth and customer-centric delivery. Barry French’s remit expands corporate affairs to include marketing, signalling a move to consolidate brand and stakeholder strategy at group level. The CEO, Trevor Croker, framed the hires as strategic moves to accelerate Aristocrat’s growth plan and to build on its market positions, particularly in iLottery and online channels.
The company thanked both outgoing executives for their contributions: Malul for helping to shape Aristocrat Interactive through integration and growth planning, and Toohey for transforming corporate affairs and investor relations globally. Transitional arrangements include Toohey providing consulting support to ensure continuity.
Context and relevance
This is a meaningful leadership change for a global gaming supplier. Aristocrat is a major player in both land-based and online gaming, and leadership shifts at the Interactive unit can affect product strategy, partner relationships and competitive dynamics — especially in iGaming and iLottery markets. The hire of a proven iGaming executive from Light & Wonder suggests Aristocrat is prioritising digital growth and operational delivery. Expanding corporate affairs to include marketing under a senior industry veteran indicates a push to centralise brand stewardship and stakeholder engagement globally.
Author style
Punchy: this move is strategic, not cosmetic. It signals Aristocrat doubling down on online growth and brand leadership — worth watching if you track supplier market share, iLottery expansion or executive talent flows across the industry.
Why should I read this?
Quick take: new leaders, new priorities. If you care about who shapes the iGaming product roadmap, regulatory relationships and global marketing at one of the industry’s biggest suppliers, this saves you time — we’ve pulled the essentials so you don’t have to dig through filings.
