Garrett Blackwelder
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Garrett Blackwelder | |
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| Born | Mount Olive, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Education | East Carolina University (BA, 2000) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Business Executive |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Organization | Grover Gaming |
| Known for | Founder and CEO of Grover Gaming |
Garrett Blackwelder is an American entrepreneur and business executive.
He is best known as the founder and CEO of Grover Gaming, a North Carolina-based developer of electronic gaming content and systems. In 2025, Grover Gaming’s charitable gaming assets were acquired by Light & Wonder in a transaction valued at over $1 billion.
Early life and education
Blackwelder was raised in Mount Olive, North Carolina, and attended Southern Wayne High School, where he was selected to participate in the 1996 North Carolina East–West All-Star basketball game. He received a basketball scholarship to East Carolina University (ECU), where he played as a shooting guard for the Pirates. During his collegiate career, he led the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in free-throw percentage as a junior and recorded a 30-point game against George Mason University. He graduated in 2000.
Career
Early ventures
After graduation, Blackwelder founded a software company in Greenville, North Carolina, which later evolved into Grover Gaming.
Grover Gaming
Grover Gaming was officially launched in 2013 and specializes in electronic gaming content and charitable gaming systems. The company expanded across multiple states and was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.
In 2025, Grover Gaming’s charitable gaming division was acquired by Light & Wonder in a deal reported at $850 million upfront, with up to $200 million in additional earnouts. The acquisition was widely reported in business and gaming media, with GGB Magazine citing Grover’s recurring revenue model and large installed base of electronic pull-tab units. SCCG Management highlighted the strategic alignment between the companies.
A separate business unit focused on coin-operated amusement machines continues under the Banilla Games brand.
In 2020, Grover Gaming announced a $12.5 million capital investment in Greenville, North Carolina, along with plans to create over 200 new jobs.
Philanthropy and public affairs
Blackwelder is president of the Blackwelder Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting educational, athletic, and community initiatives in North Carolina. He was also named in NC Newsline coverage as a significant political donor during legislative debates over gaming laws in 2024, contributing both personally and through Grover Gaming.
References
External links
This article "Garrett Blackwelder" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles taken from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be accessed on Wikipedia's Draft Namespace.