Every year on March 8, International Women’s Day (IWD) offers a powerful opportunity to celebrate progress, spotlight challenges, and honor the women driving change across industries. This year’s theme, #GiveToGain, emphasizes the transformative power of generosity—when individuals, organizations, and communities give back, they create opportunities and pave the way for greater support and success for women. It’s a message that deeply resonates within the gaming and casino industries.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’ve gathered inspiring leaders from the casino world to share their journeys, reflect on the challenges they’ve faced, and envision a more inclusive future for the industry.

Join Dearbhla Purcell, Director of Marketing and Events at Games Global, and Pamela Buckley, Executive Vice President at Global Gaming Women, for an inspiring roundtable discussion celebrating their journeys and exploring how the industry can drive greater equality.

Tell us about your background. What inspired you to pursue a career in the gaming industry, and what has your journey been like so far?

Dearbhla Purcell:

From an early age my parents created an environment where sporting ambition and work life balance were not mutually exclusive. My brothers and I grew up in a healthy, competitive household where achievement was encouraged but a healthy life balance was paramount.

My career has not been linear, and that has worked in my favour. I began in the construction industry as a Quantity Surveyor, where budgets, forecasting, and value analysis shaped my professional mindset. After completing my MBA, I made the decision to pivot and start again, moving into iGaming. Being based in the Isle of Man, it was gaming or finance, and I chose gaming deliberately for its scale, pace, and ambition.

I was immediately struck by the energy of the sector. It is global, demanding, and unforgiving if you are not focused. That environment suited me. Today I bring both chapters together, looking at marketing through a commercial lens. Creativity is powerful, but only when it delivers measurable impact.

Over the years I have led global brand and experiential initiatives, overseen flagship franchises, and worked closely with commercial and executive teams to align marketing with growth. The journey has been intense and often uncomfortable, which in my experience is exactly where real growth happens.

Pamela Buckley:

When people ask me about my background and what inspired me to pursue a career in gaming, I always smile a little because for me, it was never a single defining moment, but rather a series of fortunate events coupled with hard work, a lot of grit, and perseverance. Each opportunity was an important step in my journey that has led me to where I am today.

I was born and raised in Las Vegas, so the gaming industry wasn’t just something I stepped into, it was central to the community that raised me. The lights, the energy, the hospitality, the 24/7 momentum, it was familiar. In 1996, I started as a lifeguard at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino. At the time, I couldn’t have predicted that job would become the foundation for a lifelong career in gaming and serve as my introduction to the power of guest service and teamwork. I then advanced to the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino as a front desk agent, a role that opened the door to a 23-year journey with Caesars Entertainment.

My path has been anything but traditional, and honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. What many people find surprising is that my college degree isn’t in hospitality, but rather education. While I built my professional life inside casinos and resorts, I have always considered myself a lifelong learner at heart. Teaching, mentoring, and helping others grow has always been woven into my career. Even in operational roles, I gravitated toward training teams, developing leaders, and building environments where people could stretch into their potential. That foundation in education shaped the way I lead with curiosity, structure, empathy, and a deep belief in growth.

One of the greatest gifts of working within a large organization like Caesars is the ability to take what I call the “jungle gym” approach to your career. Instead of climbing a single, vertical ladder, I was able to move across disciplines, spending years in hotel operations, casino marketing, and later VIP operations and sales. Each move stretched me. Each role strengthens a different leadership muscle. And each experience reinforced that this industry rewards those who are willing to raise their hand, work hard, and stay curious.

In 2023, after a long meaningful chapter with Caesars, I had the opportunity to join the opening team at the stunning Fontainebleau Las Vegas as the Executive Director of Fontainebleau Rewards and Casino Services. Opening a property of that magnitude pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best possible way. It required resilience, adaptability, and vision and it gave me invaluable skills and perspective that I carry with me today.

Then, in late 2024, I stepped into what I truly consider my dream role with Global Gaming Women, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, dedicated to supporting, inspiring, and advancing women in the gaming industry. As Executive Vice President, I have the privilege of blending decades of operational leadership experience with my passion for education, mentorship, and advocacy.

In many ways, I feel my journey has come full circle. I may not be teaching in a traditional classroom, but my work is about impact. It’s about helping women find their voice, discover their passion, and see a place for themselves in an industry that has shaped my entire life.

What progress have you seen for women in gaming, and what changes do you think are still needed? What advice would you give to women looking to grow in the industry?

Dearbhla Purcell:

It is a male dominated industry, but what industry isn’t? Pre-gaming, I qualified after four years of study as the only female in my class of 40. I was negotiating pricing and budgets in the depths of winter in Scotland as a QS with men twice, even triple my age. So, walking into gaming and seeing other women around the table already felt like major progress.

Over the past eight years, I have witnessed brilliant women in leadership, but I also saw the fight it took to get there. I have lived parts of that myself with becoming a mother while keeping professional ambition firmly intact, and it has been anything but seamless. For me, it has required resilience, collective ambition with my husband, and a lot of personal support. It is not easy, but it is absolutely possible and, for me, worth it.

That said, representation at senior and technical levels still needs work. Visibility changes what feels achievable for women.

My advice is simple. Build commercial credibility. Know the numbers. Speak up early. Do not wait for permission. And back other women loudly, especially when they are not in the room. Even better, invite them into the room.

Pamela Buckley:

Over the years, I’ve witnessed remarkable strides for women in gaming and the success of GGW reflects this progress. What started as a small but mighty group of talented and motivated women in Las Vegas a decade ago, has matured into a global organization with more than 9,000 members in 70-plus countries. Today, more women also hold leadership roles, there are expanded industry initiatives and networking opportunities tailored to women, and there’s an increasing recognition that diverse teams lead to stronger business results.

With that said, I still believe there is work to be done. Women continue to be underrepresented in at the executive/c-suite level. We need an industry-wide commitment to equity, ensuring women have equal access to leadership titles, fair and transparent compensation, and the high-profile opportunities that allow them to grow. Equally important is fostering a culture where women feel empowered to take risks, step into challenges, and confidently pursue roles that stretch their capabilities. True progress requires both structural equity and environments that encourage women to lead without hesitation.

My advice for women looking to grow in gaming is threefold: first, be bold. You have a voice, use it!  Raise your hand for opportunities, even if you don’t feel 100% ready, you’ll grow into the role. Second, seek mentors and sponsors who will advocate for you, challenge you, and open doors you may not have access to. Additionally, invest in your personal brand and your voice. Learn constantly, network intentionally, and don’t underestimate the power of visibility. The industry is evolving, but it’s up to each of us to step forward, lead with confidence, and pave the way for the next generation of women in gaming. Finally, I encourage anyone who is passionate about advancing women in the gaming industry to become a member of GGW. We offer training, education and networking opportunities for individuals at all levels in their career journey and the growth stories from our members are nothing short of amazing.

This year’s International Women’s Day Theme is #GiveToGain—a worldwide call to contribute—when people, organizations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. How has giving back, whether through mentorship or collaboration, shaped your career?

Dearbhla Purcell:

I would not be where I am without people who challenged my thinking, shared their perspective, and created opportunity for me. Giving back, for me, means creating that same opportunities for others.

I have led many experiential brand campaigns, each one evolving and raising the bar. Watching talented women in my team step into those moments with fresh thinking and bold ideas is deeply rewarding. It keeps marketing alive for me.

Collaboration has shaped my career. I have seen how unchecked competitive energy can damage outcomes and relationships. That experience taught me to recognise it early, channel it positively, and build teams that win together.

Practically, I focus on giving emerging leaders real responsibility. Exposure builds confidence. Ownership builds capability. If we want more women in senior roles, we must give them space to lead before they feel fully ready.

#GiveToGain resonates because I have benefited from that generosity. When knowledge, visibility and opportunity are shared, standards rise and the industry becomes stronger for it.

Pamela Buckley:

Giving back has always been a cornerstone of my career, and it’s one of the ways I’ve found the deepest fulfillment in gaming. From the mentors who guided me early on, challenged me, shared their knowledge, and encouraged me to take risks, to the countless opportunities I’ve had to support others; mentorship and collaboration have shaped my journey at every stage. I’ve made it a priority to pay it forward, mentoring women early in their careers, advocating for their advancement, and creating environments where they can learn, take risks, and grow. This is a key value of GGW as well. Supporting others in this way, I believe, has been a defining focus of my professional journey.