PENN Entertainment is adding a new member to its leadership team.
The gambling and entertainment giant announced on Monday that it has appointed Aaron LaBerge as the company’s Chief Technology Officer pending regulatory approvals. LaBerge, who spent more than 20 years at the Walt Disney Company, will report directly to PENN CEO Jay Snowden. LaBerge is expected to assume his new role on July 1.
“We are thrilled to have someone of Aaron’s caliber join our PENN executive team,” said Snowden in a statement. “Having overseen a global organization of thousands of engineers, product developers, designers, technologists, and data scientists that created some of the largest scale and most successful media properties in the world, there is no better candidate to lead our Technology and Interactive division into its future.”
LaBerge will be responsible for leading PENN’s technology strategy while leading the company’s global team of technologists and overseeing the its Interactive division.
During his time at Disney, LaBerge was responsible for leading technology and product development for the company’s two media divisions. He also has experience as a co-founder of Fanzter, Inc., a consumer software and digital product development company.
LaBerge will help bolster PENN’s ESPN Bet product, which launched last November.
“PENN Entertainment is at the forefront of the fast-changing gaming and sports media industry,” said LaBerge. “I plan to use my experience from Disney and ESPN to help make ESPN BET an essential piece of the sports fan experience. Together, we’ll push the limits and redefine how fans interact with sports and gaming.”
Leadership changes for PENN
LaBerge’s appointment is the result of Benjie Levy stepping down as head of PENN Interactive, alongside Noah and Aubrey Levy. The family was integral to the operation of Barstool Sportsbook following its launch in 2022 and subsequent rebrand to ESPN Bet.
John Levy, who served as the Executive Chairman of theScore, also left the PENN-owned brand in February. Since 2022, theScore has been one of Ontario’s top betting apps.
