News & Press

NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK: (October 14, 2026) – Les Leonard, Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Seneca Resorts & Casinos, was recently presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Gaming & Leisure (G&L), an organization dedicated to the betterment of the gaming and hospitality industry. The award was presented to Leonard at the 2026 G&L Roundtable Reception award ceremony at the Durango Casino & Resort in Las Vegas.

The annual Lifetime Achievement Award is presented in recognition of drive, leadership and accomplishments through a lifetime of dedication in the gaming and hospitality industry.

"I've had the privilege of knowing Les for many years, and I can say without hesitation that he is one of the finest leaders our industry has produced,” said Gaming & Leisure CEO Jeannie Caruso. “His accomplishments speak for themselves, but what truly sets Les apart is his willingness to invest in others. He has always made time to mentor, guide, and support those around him, and he is universally respected not only for what he has achieved, but for who he is as a person. Les has helped shape our industry in countless ways, and I am proud to call him not only a friend but one of my ‘Day Ones’ at G&L. We are honored to present him with the Gaming & Leisure Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Leonard has over 40 years’ experience in Information Technology, including many years in the gaming and hospitality industry. In 2023, he was named to his current role at Seneca Resorts & Casinos, where he is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all information technology programs and systems across the three Seneca Resorts & Casinos properties and oversees a team of more than 72 IT professionals. He previously served as the company’s Chief Information Officer from 2012-2015. Before returning to Seneca Resorts & Casinos as Vice President of IT Business Solutions in 2019, Leonard was the Vice President of IT for Resorts World Las Vegas, the newest property on the Las Vegas strip at the time. His career also includes serving as an IT Director at Boyd Gaming Corporation in Las Vegas, and as an IT Director for Genesis Health Ventures.

“I am honored and humbled that my peers have recognized me with the Lifetime Achievement Award,” Leonard said. “This award is even more meaningful as we celebrate Gaming & Leisure's 25th Anniversary. I want to thank the Gaming & Leisure Board for this honor and congratulate them for a quarter century of making important contributions to our industry.”

A 22-year United States Army Veteran, Leonard was a Communications Officer in the White House Communications Agency at The White House in Washington, DC from 1982 - 1996. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Technology Management from the University of Maryland.

Seneca Resorts & Casinos operates Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino on behalf of the Seneca Nation of Indians. Over the past two decades, the three Seneca Resorts & Casinos properties have all become premier destinations for millions of guests who visit every year from across the United States and Canada, and around the world. For more information, visit SenecaCasinos.com.

Seneca Resorts & Casinos consists of three Class III premier gaming and resort facilities, including Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, NY, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in downtown Buffalo, NY, and Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in Salamanca, NY, as well as the award-winning championship Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course in Lewiston, NY. Across all three resort properties, guests can indulge in 20 delicious dining destinations, 12 exciting bars, over 5,100 slots, over 125 table games, and two AAA Four Diamond award-winning hotels with over 1,000 deluxe rooms and suites. All of the resorts & casinos are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. More information is available by calling 1-877-8-SENECA (1-877-873-6322) or visiting SenecaCasinos.com.

Seneca Resorts & Casinos…NOTHING ELSE COMES CLOSE!

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