Mike Segal is a longtime New Jersey political figure and gaming industry advocate who began his public career in the 1960s as a Republican Councilman in Ventnor City, near Atlantic City. He advanced to President of Council and Commissioner before shifting focus exclusively to the Action Committee to Legalize Gaming, contributing significantly to the statewide referendum that legalized casino gambling in Atlantic City on November 2, 1976. This effort transformed the region's economy, aligning with Segal's business interests in the burgeoning casino sector. Segal's influence extends to philanthropy, particularly in foreign policy circles supportive of Israel, where he serves as a board member at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP), with his name attached to the endowed title of the executive director.