Richard A. “Skip” Hayward (b. 1947) is a Native American gaming visionary.

ayward is the visionary behind the development of Indian gaming that has evolved into a $30 billion industry. Hayward led the effort to gain federal recognition for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in 1983, which paved the way for economic development on an Indian reservation. That bill made possible the opening of Foxwoods Resort Casino, which became one of the most profitable gaming operations in the world. To date, Hayward’s effort for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation has resulted in $4 billion contributed to the State of Connecticut through a first-of-its-kind slot revenue sharing agreement, which became the model for similar agreements nationwide.