Hayward is inducted into gaming hall of fame
Longtime Pequot tribal chairman credited with envisioning Foxwoods
Mashantucket — Former Mashantucket Pequot Chairman Richard “Skip” Hayward has been inducted into the American Gaming Association’s Hall of Fame as an “industry pioneer,” considered one of gaming’s highest honors.
Hayward is credited with envisioning Foxwoods High-Stakes Bingo Hall and its successor, Foxwoods Resort Casino.
George Henningsen, chairman of Foxwoods’ gaming commission, accepted the award on Hayward’s behalf Wednesday night during a by-invitation-only ceremony at The Venetian casino in Las Vegas, site of the gaming association’s annual Global Gaming Expo. More than 80 people have been inducted into the Gaming Hall of Fame since its inception in 1989.
Hayward did not attend the ceremony because of a schedule conflict, according to a spokeswoman for the Mashantucket tribe. Hayward wrote an acceptance speech that Henningsen read.
“Tonight I wish to thank this year’s board of the American Gaming Association and all its members for the privilege of being inducted into the AGA Gaming Hall of Fame,” Hayward wrote. “This is an award that I never expected, and an honor I could never have imagined when I started down the path to preserve my Grandmother’s home and our ancestral
land and to bring Mashantucket Pequots a home to build a successful and stable community — one that is founded on our shared history, culture and unity.
“That path has led me to this evening, and the privilege of being chosen to stand with past inductees to recognize and honor our industry. While for me it has always been, and always will be, about my Tribe, Foxwoods Resort Casino has been the engine which has driven our prosperity and our economic development.
“When you pioneer a vision to do something no one has done before, it is impossible to predict how things will turn out. This journey has been long and challenging — with many extraordinary rewards and unexpected outcomes. But, as I reflect back on everything, I am deeply honored to have experienced it all, and to have experienced it with you as part of this industry.”
Hayward served as the tribe’s chairman for 23 years, from 1975 to 1998, and then as vice chairman for an additional six years. He led the effort to gain state recognition for the Mashantucket Pequots in 1974. Federal recognition followed in 1983.
“Skip Hayward is the type of visionary that most people never encounter, and he’s incredibly deserving of this award,” Rodney Butler, the current Mashantucket chairman, said. “With tenacious zeal, Skip led the effort to develop a thriving community through a vision focused on preserving Pequot history and culture for many generations. That vision was realized through the development of Foxwoods Resort Casino.”