Entain has announced that Global Games chairman and former CEO of Scientific Games, Gavin Issacs, will assume the role of chief operating officer on September 2nd of this year, taking over for interim CEO Stella David.
Wealth of Experience
It’s not difficult to understand why Entain, an international gaming corporation and co-parent company of U.S. mobile sports betting brand BetMGM, chose Gavin Issacs to lead it into its next chapter. Issacs has 25 years of leadership experience and his well-traveled journey in the gaming community has seen him make stops in executive capacities.
Leadership roles at DraftKings, SB Tech, Shuffle Master, Bally Technologies, Jackpocket, Aristocrat, and Scientific Games have made him a recognizable face in the industry. More recently he was the chairman of Altitude Acquisition Corporation and is currently on the board of directors at Global Games.
New Chapter Unfolds
Entain chairman, Barry Gibson, said upon Issacs’ appointment, “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. 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.”
“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.”
Gavin Issacs is also a 2022 inductee of the American Gaming Association’s Hall of Fame.
Trading Places
There have been several moving parts in Entain’s C-suite lately but chief among them is the revolving door at CEO. Jette Nygaard-Anderson hastily exited the position in December 2023, only weeks after Entain agreed to settle for a reported $737 million on bribery charges at the company’s former Turkish business, an action brought by the United Kingdom’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Stella David, then a non-executive director, agreed to replace Nygaard-Anderson and assume the role of CEO until the company found a permanent replacement. But now they have, and David will work alongside Issacs during the transition before becoming Entain’s new chairman after Gibson steps down in September, coinciding with Issacs’ ascension as CEO.
Leadership Shift
After being named CEO of Entain, Issacs stepped down as the chairman of Global Games but remains on its board, at least for now. Walter Bugno, CEO of Games Global, was also effusive in his appreciation for the work Issacs did at his company.
“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 Bugno.
“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.”
