Draft:Garrett Blackwelder
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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.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]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.[2][better source needed] 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.[3][4][5][6] He graduated in 2000.
Career
[edit]Early ventures
[edit]After graduation, Blackwelder founded a software company in Greenville, North Carolina, which later evolved into Grover Gaming.[7]
Grover Gaming
[edit]Grover Gaming was officially launched in 2013 and specializes in electronic gaming content and charitable gaming systems.[1] The company expanded across multiple states and was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.[8]
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.[1] 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.[9] SCCG Management highlighted the strategic alignment between the companies.[10]
A separate business unit focused on coin-operated amusement machines continues under the Banilla Games brand.[11]
In 2020, Grover Gaming announced a $12.5 million capital investment in Greenville, North Carolina, along with plans to create over 200 new jobs.[12]
Philanthropy and public affairs
[edit]Blackwelder is president of the Blackwelder Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting educational, athletic, and community initiatives in North Carolina.[13][14] 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.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Burritt, Chris (March 31, 2025). "NC trend: Greenville gaming entrepreneur cashes in on $1 billion transaction". Business North Carolina.
- ^ "McCullum selected for East-West Game". The News Reports. June 6, 1996.
- ^ "Garrett Blackwelder College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "#24 BLACKWELDER, Garrett". 1998–99 ECU Basketball Game-by-Game.
- ^ "#24 BLACKWELDER, Garrett". 1999–2000 ECU Basketball Game-by-Game.
- ^ "East Carolina vs. George Mason Preview". www.espn.com. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Staff, Reflector (February 15, 2012). "Software designer gets bigger facility". Reflector. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Profile: Grover Gaming". Inc. 5000.
- ^ "Light & Wonder Acquires Grover Gaming Assets". GGB Magazine. 2025. https://ggbmagazine.com/article/light-wonder-acquires-grover-gaming-assets
- ^ "Light & Wonder Closes Acquisition of Grover Gaming’s Charitable Gaming Assets". SCCG Management. May 19, 2025. https://sccgmanagement.com/sccg-news/2025/5/19/light-wonder-closes-acquisition-of-grover-gamings-charitable-gaming-assets
- ^ "About Us". Grover Gaming. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Grover Gaming to bring 200 new jobs, $12.5M in capital investment". Greenville ENC Alliance. https://www.encalliance.com/news-posts/grover-gaming-to-bring-200-new-jobs-12-5m-in-capital-investment
- ^ "Blackwelder Family Foundation". ProPublica. May 9, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Blackwelder Match Program". East Carolina Pirate Club. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Gambling interests raise the stakes to win North Carolina". NC Newsline. June 25, 2024. https://ncnewsline.com/2024/06/25/gambling-interests-raise-the-stakes-to-win-north-carolina