Connecticut Lottery names Frank Suarez as president and CEO

The Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) has appointed Frank Suarez as president and CEO to replace the retiring Greg Smith.

Suarez currently serves as executive director of the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming, and will take charge of CLC on August 1.

His appointment is the culmination of a nationwide search that began eleven months ago, with nearly 300 candidates from across the country having applied for the position.

Suarez brings with him a wealth of experience and a strong track record of success in the lottery and gaming industry.

With over 10 years of progressive lottery leadership roles, including seven years with the North Carolina Education Lottery as deputy executive director of brand management and communications and, most recently, as executive director of the DC Lottery for the past three years.

“I am honored and excited to join the Connecticut Lottery Corporation and to work with the talented team here to drive continued growth and success,” said Suarez. “Our focus will be on maximizing revenue for the state while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and responsible gaming.”

Under Suarez’s leadership, the DC Lottery saw significant increases in revenue and profitability through innovative strategies and effective management, including a turnaround in sports betting operations, transforming a loss into profitability in less than a year and establishing the DC Lottery sportsbook as the largest in the District.

He also successfully negotiated and led the conversion to FanDuel’s mobile and online sports betting platform, resulting in an 887 per cent growth in gross gaming revenue (GGR) within the first 30 days of operation.

In addition, Suarez helped to revitalize iLottery marketing strategies, launch a new mobile app and expand the DC Lottery’s game portfolio, leading to a 168 per cent increase in GGR.

Suarez also currently serves as vice chair of the Multi-State Lottery Association’s (MUSL) product development committee and chairman of the MUSL fast play product group.

“We are thrilled to welcome Frank Suarez as our new president and CEO,” said CLC board chair Robert Simmelkjaer. “His exceptional leadership skills, extensive industry experience, and visionary approach make him the perfect choice to guide our company into the next phase of growth and innovation.

“We are confident that, under his stewardship, we will continue to achieve remarkable success and continue to deliver value to our players and revenue to the State of Connecticut.”

The CLC board also acknowledged and expressed gratitude to incumbent president and CEO Greg Smith for his leadership and dedication over the past six years.

On August 1, Smith will assume the role of special consultant to assist with the transition of leadership, and plans to officially retire at the end of September.