Entain appoints industry veteran Gavin Isaacs as CEO amid strategic overhaul

British sports betting giant Entain has announced the appointment of Australian industry veteran Gavin Isaacs as Chief Executive Officer, effective September 2, 2024. The leadership change follows a period of turbulence and reevaluation within the Ladbrokes owner.

Isaacs, who currently holds a position as a non-executive director at Games Global Ltd., brings experience from over 25 years in the betting, lottery, and gaming industries. His career includes roles at Bally Technologies, Scientific Games Corporation, DraftKings, and Aristocrat Technologies.

Isaacs’ contributions to the sector have been recognized with his induction into the American Gaming Association’s Hall of Fame in 2022.

Isaacs said: "I am very excited to be joining Entain. The company’s iconic brands, exceptional talent and ongoing execution of its refocused strategy will enable the business to return to a leadership position across all aspects.

"I am confident that Entain has an extremely bright future, and I look forward to leading the group in capitalizing on the opportunities ahead and creating value for all its stakeholders."

The appointment comes as Entain navigates a challenging period marked by a substantial decline in share price, which has plummeted nearly 50% over the past year despite robust revenue growth in the United States through its BetMGM joint venture with MGM Resorts.

The company's deal-making decisions under former CEO Jette Nygaard-Andersen, who resigned in December 2023, had drawn criticism from activist investors, including Eminence Capital. Stella David, who stepped in as interim CEO following Nygaard-Andersen’s departure, will now succeed Barry Gibson as Chair when he retires at the end of September.

Gavin Isaacs, Entain's new Chief Executive Officer

Barry Gibson stated: "On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Gavin to Entain. We are confident that his proven leadership and operational experience mean that Gavin is the right person to take Entain into its next chapter.

Stella David echoed this sentiment: "The positive progress we have already achieved means the business has strong building blocks in place for the future. I am confident that with Gavin’s leadership, we will realize the ambitious plans that we have for Entain."

Last month, Entain announced the appointment of Charlotte Emery as the new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for its UK operations. Emery, who previously held the position of Chief Brand Officer at William Hill, confirmed the news on her LinkedIn profile and commenced her role at Entain’s London headquarters in June.