Robert E. “Bobby” Huckabee III, President and Chief Executive Officer of Southland Amusements and Vending, Inc., Southland Gaming of the Virgin Islands, Inc., and several other companies, is a philanthropic entrepreneur with a proven history of building businesses across the U.S. and the Caribbean. Through his guidance and oversight, each organization offers significant financial support to the communities they serve. With over two decades of leadership experience in gaming and entertainment, Mr. Huckabee has helped improve the industry through innovation and solid values. His gaming businesses redirect unregulated gambling revenues through responsible gaming practices—benefiting the government by reducing crime, collecting taxes, and generating revenue. Within his business model, the vast majority of gaming proceeds are streamed directly back into the economy through job creation, direct payments to businesses and governments, and the purchasing or leasing of local real estate, goods, and services.

Currently, Mr. Huckabee owns and participates in operations management of more than 10 gaming and entertainment, construction, and real estate development companies. He is also heavily involved in financing new ventures. He launched his career in 1983, when he was recruited by a video game distributor, quickly becoming VP of Sales. Following this position, he went into business for himself, selling coin-operated equipment to vendors. Seeing an opportunity for growth in long-term revenue share contracts, he secured one location contract at a time, eventually acquiring several amusement routes. Beginning in 1991 several states within the U.S. legalized gaming initiatives, which presented him the opportunity to enter the Gaming Industry. This was the beginning of what is now a multimillion-dollar operation that spans numerous jurisdictions and has employed several-hundred quality individuals that strive for excellence.

With a strong commitment to the growth and prosperity of the Virgin Islands, Mr. Huckabee works diligently to improve education, create jobs, increase tourism, and positively impact the economy. In 1998, he established Southland Gaming of the Virgin Islands, Inc. (SGVI), a U.S. Virgin Islands corporation. Located on St. Thomas, this highly regarded company was selected to operate the Video Lottery Program for the Virgin Islands Lottery, which was designed to stop the spread of unregulated gambling and to significantly fund the Island’s government services, with a focus on education and other worthwhile government programs.

Through an exclusive contract won in 1998, SGVI is authorized to place and operate video lottery terminals and other gaming devices within various retail establishments, resorts, and entertainment centers. Operations are strictly controlled by a state-of-the-art computer monitoring system, designed to monitor every game event in all locations simultaneously, maintaining complete accountability and fairness. Consistently working with Lottery Regulators, Mr. Huckabee ensures that all machines and gaming devices, as well as the central system, are in full compliance with regulations. It is clear that he follows through on his commitments; because of the Video Lottery Program, the Virgin Islands Lottery has gone from a $3+ million per year loss to providing nearly $10 Million per year to the government programs for which it was designed.

Mr. Huckabee works diligently to help children and homeless people, contributing to many areas, including healthcare, education, athletics, and other deserving organizations, such as Boys & Girls Clubs, United Way, and The Salvation Army. While doing volunteer construction work at an orphanage in Kenya, he was able to see first hand how important it is to dedicate financial resources and time to these worthy causes.

Mr. Huckabee attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. He is an active member of the growing congregation at Port City Community Church, which he attends with his six children and wife of 22 years. His free time is spent with his family, where he enjoys attending and coaching his children’s sports teams, as well as boating, surfing, skiing, and international travel.