RIP Gary Platt (1925-2026): Pioneer in Casino Comforts

^{Platt didn’t just put “butts in seats” (the ultimate casino metric), he kept them there. (Photo: courtesy of Gary Platt Seating.)}

Gary Platt was the visionary who saw people standing at slot machines in the 1950s and thought, wouldn’t it be better if they could sit? Though casinos were hesitant at first, soon it became obvious that comfortable players gambled more. 

Platt died last week, at age 100, according to a post from his company on LinkedIn. Tributes and farewells quickly poured in, calling him “legendary,” “respected,” “a true pioneer,” and “one of the nicest people in the gaming industry.”  

Casino Culture Warrior

Platt’s influence on the casino industry spanned decades. Long before chairs were a fixture on slot floors, patrons typically stood for hours — a standard that Platt saw as an opportunity to improve both comfort and the gaming experience. Inspired by a 1959 casino visit where he found himself on an uncomfortable stool, Platt began advocating for dedicated seating for slot players.  

Over time, his focus on player comfort helped establish seating — once considered a luxury — as a mainstream necessity in casinos. This approach not only improved guest satisfaction but also contributed to longer play sessions and more revenues for operators.

What began as a simple idea eventually grew into Gary Platt Manufacturing and now Gary Platt Seating, based in Sparks and Reno, Nevada – a global supplier of custom casino seating known for durability, ergonomics, and comfortable design. 

Over more than four decades, the company has produced well over one million chairs, with its handcrafted seating now a fixture on casino floors across the United States and internationally.

Poker players (and dealers) at the WSOP often put in 12-hour days, if not longer, sitting in Gary Platt seats. (Photo: courtesy of WSOP)

Casino Industry Support

As word of Platt’s passing spread over the weekend, his colleagues and customers began paying tribute on LinkedIn. 

“One of the really good guys,” wrote Rick Meitzler, owner of an Illinois gaming consultancy. “(He) always had time for you and he is a true gaming legend! He will be missed!”

Retired gaming equipment manufacturer Jane Crosson said, “Gary was truly a salesman’s salesman. He had time and interest for everyone.”

“I was just thinking about him yesterday,” posted Cathy Holmes, a casino signage expert. “He always had a big smile and hug for everyone!”

Gary Platt’s booths always stand out at gaming conferences, inviting tired attendees to sit down and sample their wares. (Photo: courtesy of Gary Platt Seating)

Casinos.com’s Michael Graham, our resident slot expert, has personally sampled an estimated hundreds if not a thousand of Platt’s chairs.

“Whether they knew it or not, there isn’t a slots player on the planet whose experience has not been shaped by Gary Platt and his brilliantly simple brainwave,” Graham explains.

“Every time you’ve smelled a jackpot and set up camp at a slot machine to chase it, that was Gary Platt. Every time you’ve got yourself on a thrilling Dragon Link winning run: Gary Platt. Every time you’ve sat patiently waiting for a handpay, bathing in the sweet satisfaction that only a slots player knows while sipping on a comped drink, you (probably unknowingly) had Gary Platt to thank.”

Platt grew up in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. He was a World War II Army veteran. 

Services are being held today, Wednesday, at Hillside Memorial Park in L.A.