Paris Smith

Paris Smith is one of the most respected leaders in the global gaming industry, with a career spanning more than three decades. Her path from North Dakota to a Caribbean island at the center of the world's online gaming business is a story of betting on herself and winning. She began in 1995 with WWTS, where she rose to Chief Operating Officer, before joining Pinnacle Sports in 2006, first as COO and then as Chief Executive Officer.

Over nearly 17 years at the helm of Pinnacle, Paris transformed the Curaçao-based bookmaker into one of the world's most admired sportsbook brands, renowned for its low-margin, gimmick-free model and trusted by sharp bettors across the globe. Under her leadership, Pinnacle pioneered industry firsts, including accepting the world's first esports bets in 2010.

In 2023, Paris stepped back from day-to-day operations into an advisory role and began a new chapter as an investor. Today she invests and advises through her firm Life Winnings, co-founded the startup incubator Defy the Odds, and is a partner in BettingStartups Capital, an early-stage fund for real-money gaming startups. She remains a sought-after voice at industry events worldwide, from ICE to iGaming NEXT.

Paris lives in Curaçao with her dog, Patience. Proof that even after thirty years in one of the world's fastest-moving industries, the best things are worth waiting for.