Backed by experience in strategic planning and the gaming and hospitality industry, Melissa G. Helton has found vast success in her career spanning nearly 25 years. Since 2020, she has excelled as the president and general manager of FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing. Among her responsibilities, she oversees general operations, leads executive meetings, liaises with jockeys, and administers to horses after races. Looking ahead with the company, Ms. Helton plans to break new ground, see the new casino completed on their property and lead the continued growth of the company and property.
Earlier in her professional work, Ms. Helton served as senior vice president of finance for Del Lago Resort & Casino from 2018 to 2020. She has also been director of finance operations for Indiana Grand Racing & Casino and senior manager of finance and accounting for Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, both part of Centaur Gaming, between 2013 and 2018. Ms. Helton is also skilled as a controller, having served in the role for the Arizona Biltmore, Apache Gold Casino Resort, Tropicana – Belle of Baton Rouge and Caesars Indiana beginning in 1998. Civically involved, she is a member of the board of directors of the local Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Agriculture.
To prepare for her career, Ms. Helton earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Indiana University Southeast in 2003. Upon reflection, she attributes her success to her mentors, including her first boss, who taught her many lessons about the industry. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, she feels especially proud to have led the change in the company culture at FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing, implementing an open-door policy and transparent environment. She also prides herself on her motto, “If you stop and listen to everyone, you’ll learn more than you see.”
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