What does it take to be a leader in the skill-based gaming industry?
For Michael Anthony Griffin Sr., it started long before the boardroom. It began in a small town in eastern North Carolina, on ball fields and in a busy household of nine brothers and sisters.
Today, Griffin is CEO and Chairman of the Board of National Business Center, Inc. He also runs Vegas-Style Skill Games and Blue Bull Gaming. His path to the top was not a straight one. It was built step by step, role by role, within the industry he is now helping to shape.
“I didn’t start at the top,” Griffin says. “I started as a player. I learned the business from the ground up.”
Early Life in Eastern North Carolina
Michael Griffin is the son of the late Accie and Evelyn Griffin of Hobgood, North Carolina. Growing up in a large family taught him structure, resilience and competitiveness.
“With nine brothers and sisters, you quickly learn to assert yourself,” he says. “You also learn how to work together.”
Sport played a big role in his early life. In high school he played baseball and football. He even tried out as a professional baseball player.
“Baseball taught me patience,” Griffin said. “Football taught me toughness. Both taught me discipline.”
He completed high school and later attended college, but did not complete his studies. Instead, life pulled him toward work and opportunity.
How Michael Griffin got into the gaming industry
Griffin’s entry into gaming wasn’t at an executive level. It was practical.
He worked in the customer service industry for years. Over time he moved into the gaming industry, initially as a gamer. This experience shaped his current view of the industry.
“When you sit on the other side of the machine, you understand the customer,” he explains. “You see what works. You see what doesn’t work.”
This perspective became a competitive advantage. Griffin went through various leadership roles. He learned operations. He studied customer behavior. He paid attention to compliance and market changes.
In March 2018, he was named CEO of National Business Center, Inc.
Leading National Business Center, Inc.
As CEO, Griffin oversees the operations and development of multiple brands, including Vegas-Style Skill Games and Blue Bull Gaming. He also serves as CEO of all three companies.
His leadership style is practical. His focus is on systems, people and long-term positioning.
“We are in a rapidly changing environment,” says Griffin. “If you don’t adapt, you’ll fall behind.”
One of his key initiatives was the creation of the Vegas-Style Rewards program. The goal was simple: strengthen customer engagement and build loyalty in a competitive market.
“Loyalty doesn’t happen automatically,” he says. “You have to earn it.”
He also oversaw the development of the Vegas-style online casino platform. The transition to the digital world expanded the company’s reach and adapted to changing consumer behavior.
“The customer no longer lives in one place,” notes Griffin. “You have to meet them where they are.”
Navigating COVID-19 as a gaming CEO
The 2019-2020 COVID-19 pandemic tested leaders across industries. Gaming was no exception.
Operations slowed down. The regulations have changed. The uncertainty grew.
Griffin focused on stability and continuity.
“In difficult times, people look for calm in leadership,” he says. “You have to stay calm.”
He worked with his team to address operational challenges while protecting the company’s long-term vision. The time required flexibility and clear communication.
“You can’t control everything,” he adds. “But you can control how you react.”
The experience strengthened his focus on planning and adaptability.
What makes Michael Griffin stand out in the gaming industry?
Griffin’s career arc is distinguished by where it began.
Many managers come from finance or corporate backgrounds. Michael Griffin entered the industry as a participant.
“I saw every level,” he says. “It gives me perspective.”
He understands the customer experience first hand. He also understands operational complexity at scale.
His approach combines practical knowledge with management oversight. He focuses on sustainable growth and not quick successes.
“This business is changing rapidly,” Griffin says. “You have to think long-term.”
Life outside the office
After work, Griffin returns to the activities that characterized his early years.
He enjoys golf and is a member of a country club. He also plays basketball and baseball. Drawing and playing round out his interests.
“Golf keeps me fit,” he says. “It’s strategy and patience.”
Sport remains a constant theme in his life. They provide insight into how he thinks about leadership.
“A team only works if everyone knows their role,” he says. “Business is no different.”
The ongoing journey
Michael Griffin’s story is not an overnight success. It is a story of constant progress.
From a young athlete in Eastern North Carolina to CEO and Chairman of the Board, his journey reflects persistence and hands-on learning.
“I have always believed in learning by doing,” he says. “Every role has taught me something.”
In an ever-evolving industry, Griffin remains focused on adaptation, operational discipline and customer understanding.
“The work is not yet finished,” he says. “You build, you adapt and you move on.”
For Griffin, leadership is not about titles. It’s about responsibility.
And this mindset still determines his role in the gaming industry today.
