Gavin Isaacs, appointed as SBTech Chairman

Former Scientific Games CEO has joined SBTech as Non-Executive Chairman and is expected to help it grow its rapidly expanding US business.

Isle of Man.- Sports betting and gaming technology supplier SBTech has appointed former Scientific Games CEO Gavin Isaacs as its new Non-Executive Chairman. The company expects him to have an impact on its expanding US business as SBTech landed in the country last year after sports betting was liberalised by the Supreme Court.

Mr. Isaacs spent the last four years as CEO and board member of Scientific Games and was responsible for championing game-changing mergers and acquisitions and growing the global lottery and gaming supplier from €1.13 billion to €2.5 billion revenues in just two years.

“I was approached by a number of companies since leaving Scientific Games, however I chose to join SBTech due to its superior technology, high standards across every discipline, entrepreneurial approach and incredible ambition and potential to grow further across a wide variety of regulated markets including the US where I am based and have an extensive network, knowledge and experience,” said Gavin Isaacs.

“The business has already made significant in-roads into the newly-regulated US 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.”

Mr Isaacs, a qualified lawyer, has a proven track record of successfully leading and establishing companies on strong growth trajectories. Prior to joining Scientific Games in 2014, he was CEO of SHFL Entertainment, where he grew the company to record revenues, globally expanded its slot business, and created a series of commercial opportunities in speciality table-game brands both in land-based casinos and online.

“We’re thrilled that someone of Gavin’s calibre, credibility and experience has chosen to join SBTech. This is a huge coup for the business,” said Richard Carter, CEO SBTech. “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 US where we have already partnered and gone live with several large brands across multiple states and where there are many more opportunities to grow.

Isaac also spent five years as COO and Executive Vice President at Bally Entertainment eventually leading the negotiations to buy his former employer while at Scientific Games in November 2013 for $1.3 billion – a 37% premium in share price and at sector high multiple. Prior to joining Bally, Isaacs spent seven years with Aristocrat Technologies in several roles including President, Managing Director and marketing and business development in Las Vegas, London and Sydney.