2008 GREAT WOMEN OF GAMING
Rising Star
Michelle Chatigny
Vice President of Compliance
IGT
Michelle Chatigny was looking through the large plate-glass window of her bank when the quote “a desk is a dangerous place from which to watch the world” monopolized her thoughts.
“I decided that day that I wanted to expand my horizons and wanted to travel beyond the states of Nevada and California, and meet people I would not otherwise have met,” she said.
A 12-year veteran of the banking world, Chatigny was intent on working her way up that industry’s ladder when she instead set her sights on the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Intrigued by the travel, as well as the nature of the work, Chatigny applied for a job as an investigator. She got the position, and spent the next seven years learning about the gaming industry and the rules and regulations that covered all aspects of gaming.
Today, Chatigny is vice president of compliance at IGT, and a recipient of the Rising Star award. “It is an honor to be selected among such a well-deserving group of women and being chosen by those talented women who have received this award before me,” said Chatigny. “I consider it very important to work as a part of team, so this is an honor for not only me, but also for the team I work with.”
The award also comes as a fruit of Chatigny’s long-held credo. “I’ve always believed that you can’t chase short-term success and that hard work, perseverance and passion would be rewarded in the long run,” she said. “I was so fortunate to be raised with the idea that I could do anything I set my mind to, as it freed me from any concept of barriers.”
At the Gaming Control Board, Chatigny participated in investigations of people and private and public entities that sought gaming licenses or other gaming approvals. She quickly discovered it was akin to the board game Othello—“a minute to learn and a lifetime to master.”
Chatigny’s exposure to the wide variety of gaming issues and the application of rules and regulations was indispensable. “I worked with a group of people who gave me the opportunity to be the best I could be,” Chatigny said. “Their support and guidance played a major role in my gaming career.”
When the opportunity with IGT arose, Chatigny thought there’d be no better company to work with. “IGT had already recognized the need for strict compliance and had an excellent reputation as far as its business ethics and transparency,” said Chatigny. “In fact, IGT was one of the first gaming companies to dedicate a full-time resource to its compliance efforts. I was also excited about the opportunity to work at a company with global operations and a depth of exciting products.”
And Chatigny loves that each day brings with it a different challenge. “Working for a company like IGT, which has activity in virtually every corner of the world where some form of gaming is legal, means there are new jurisdictional developments happening on a continuous basis,” she said. “It’s also exciting to see the way the new products are changing the industry, and being a part of that evolution in a way that ensures regulatory concerns are met is both fun and challenging.”
Chatigny originally studied accounting before realizing she had no desire to become an accountant. But she said it ultimately was the perfect background for the role of a financial investigator, as she learned how to understand and analyze financial statements.
Currently, Chatigny oversees the international and domestic compliance programs IGT has put into place on both product and regulatory matters, as well as corporate and building security.
“With more than 360 licenses and a comprehensive and ever-changing and improving product line, it’s a lot to keep track of,” she said. She also serves on the company’s compliance committee, and oversees the company’s code of conduct and Integrity Action Line.
“I am very fortunate and proud to be part of an incredible team of dedicated professionals,” said Chatigny. “The excitement of working as a part of such a talented management team has helped me to continue to grow professionally.”
In the future, Chatigny hopes to play a role in helping the industry get back on track from the difficult economic environment. “This will take hard work from a manufacturer’s perspective, to introduce new product while helping the regulator with the regulations and approvals needed that will support the gaming operators in offering exciting entertainment that customers will love,” said Chatigny. “Working with my management team while reaching out to other manufacturers to accomplish this goal will be essential to get our industry growing again.”
To those interested in pursuing a career in the gaming industry, she offers this advice: “Decide what drives the passion in you. Understand that passion, then look to the manufacturer, operator or regulator depending on those passions.”
Copyright 2011, Great Women of Gaming. All rights reserved.
