Reno bingo device maker brings in new chief executive

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 | 10:56 a.m.

Electronic bingo device maker GameTech International Inc. has appointed Jay Meilstrup to lead the company as president and chief executive, effective July 1. He replaces John Furman, who was appointed CEO in September 2004 in an effort to turn around the company's disappointing earnings.

Meilstrup was senior vice president of Niagara Properties at Niagara Falls Casino in Ontario, Canada and also served as general manager of the casino. Previously, he served as vice president of game development for Shuffle Master Inc. and was product marketing manager for Bally Gaming Inc.

"Both John and the board felt the company now needs a president and CEO with a background in all aspects of the gaming industry and can restore the company to its leading position in the electronic bingo industry," Board Chairman Richard Fedor said in a statement.

Nevada regulators investigated and cleared GameTech in 2002 for a bingo scam committed by an employee who later committed suicide. The employee had tampered with the company's electronic bingo units to obtain more cards than he had actually paid for.