Global sports betting and gaming group Entain has announced the appointment of a new CEO. Games Global chairman and former Scientific Games CEO Gavin Isaacs will take over from the current interim CEO Stella David on Sept. 2.
Isaacs has more than 25 years of experience in the global sports betting, iGaming, and lottery industries, holding senior positions with companies including Scientific Games, DraftKings, SB Tech, Shuffle Master, Bally, and Aristocrat. He was inducted into the American Gaming Association’s Hall of Fame in 2022.
“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,” said Isaacs. “I am confident that Entain has an extremely bright future. I look forward to leading the group in capitalizing on the opportunities ahead and creating value for all its stakeholders.”
Position finally filled
Stella David, a non-executive director, filled the role on an interim basis from December 2023, when previous CEO Jette Nygaard-Anderson stepped down from the position with immediate effect. The Danish business executive was appointed CEO in January 2021 and held the role for almost three years.
Her unexpected resignation came just days after Entain was ordered to pay more than $600 million to the Crown Prosecution Service following bribery allegations in Turkey. The resolution of this case cost Entain a net loss of more than $1 million in 2023.
Nygaard-Anderson also faced criticism from investors for the declining value of the company’s share prices, which fell by more than a third during her time as CEO.
However, Entain chairman Barry Gibson praised Nygaard-Anderson for her work throughout her three-year tenure and especially during the CSP investigation, citing her “exceptional leadership during what has been a hugely challenging period.”
Prior to his time in the betting and gaming industries, Isaacs spent more than a decade in the legal sector.
He was the president and CEO of Scientific Games (now known as Light & Wonder) from 2014-2016 and vice chairman from 2016-2018. Other previous roles include as a DraftKings board member, chairman of SB Tech, CEO of Shuffle Master, COO of Bally Technologies, and president of Aristocrat.
Most recently, Isaacs has held the role of chairman at Games Global. He will step down from the board to assume his new position at Entain.
“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,” said Gibson. “I would also like to thank Stella David and Entain colleagues for the significant operational improvements and progress made so far towards our strategic priorities.”
New chairman incoming
David will relinquish the role of CEO to Isaacs at the beginning of September and assume a new one at the end of the month.
Gibson is set to retire after four and a half years as the company’s chairman. David will work with Isaacs to ensure a smooth transition in the weeks before Gibson’s retirement.
Remaining in the Games Global fold
Issacs was appointed chairman of the Games Global board in October 2022. The company had purchased the intellectual property and distribution rights from Microgaming and intended to become a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. However, Games Global withdrew its application for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in May 2024.
“I would like to congratulate Gavin on his appointment as CEO of Entain plc. He has been a tireless advocate for Games Global and, as chairman, has played a key leadership role in building our business,” said Walter Bugno, CEO of Games Global.
Although Isaacs stepped down as chairman, he will remain on the Games Global board of directors for the time being.
“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to lead the board of Games Global for almost two years and I look forward to continuing to be part of the company’s exciting journey," Isaacs said. "Games Global is a unique business and, while I am disappointed to be standing down as chairman, taking up a full-time executive role as CEO of Entain plc is an incredible opportunity for me personally.”
