Sports betting technology provider SBTech named longtime gaming executive Gavin Isaacs as the company’s non-executive chairman Wednesday to help facilitate the United Kingdom-based company’s expansion into the U.S.
The announcement ends gaming industry speculation about Isaacs’ plans. Isaacs, 54, recently left his position as vice chairman of Las Vegas-based Scientific Games Corp. He has been either CEO or a top executive with four different gaming equipment providers.
SBTech recently announced deals to provide sports betting services in New Jersey and Mississippi. Company CEO Richard Carter said Isaacs will help the technology firm to continue its reach into the U.S.
“Gavin’s two decades of successfully leading, transforming, and acquiring some of the biggest businesses in the gaming sector will be a massive advantage for us, particularly in the U.S.,” Carter said in a statement. “We have already partnered and gone live with several large brands across multiple states… there are many more opportunities to grow.”
Financial details on the position were not disclosed in the press release.
A non-executive chairman’s role is typically a part-time position. In a brief email exchange, Isaacs said the job with SBTech does not preclude him from seeking other opportunities. However, he said “I plan on rolling my sleeves up to help them grow.”
Isaacs spent four years with Scientific Games, including two years as CEO, helping to grow the company into one of the most diverse gaming technology companies.
In a statement, Isaacs said he was “approached by a number of companies,” but that SBTech offered the potential to grow a business across several regulated markets, including the U.S.
“The business has already made significant inroads into the newly regulated U.S. sports betting market, and I am extremely excited to be able to help and advise the senior management team to expand that even further across 2019 and beyond,” said Isaacs, an Australian native who lives in Las Vegas.
Isaacs was CEO of table game manufacturer and supplier SHFL entertainment when he Bally Technologies’ purchase of the company for $1.3 billion in 2013. Isaacs had previously spent five years as Bally’s chief operating officer.
After the SHFL deal closed, Isaacs joined Scientific Games as a consultant in March 2014 when company chairman Ron Perelman bought out the remaining months of Isaacs’ contract on a non-compete clause that was part of the severance package Isaacs signed with Bally when he departed from SHFL.
Three months later, Perelman and Scientific Games’ board of directors named Isaacs CEO.
One month later, Scientific Games announced its $5.1 billion purchase of Bally.
In addition to his roles with Scientific Games, Bally and SHFL, Isaacs spent 12 years as a corporate lawyer in Sydney before becoming head of slot machine maker Aristocrat Leisure Ltd.’s legal department in 1999.
“We’re thrilled that someone of Gavin’s caliber, credibility and experience has chosen to join SBTech,” Carter said.
Howard Stutz is the executive editor of CDC Gaming. He can be reached at hstutz@cdcgamingreports.com. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.
