The start of a new month brings a new round of hires, exits and promotions in gaming.
Each week, SBC Americas highlights the latest workforce and organizational changes in North America‘s commercial gaming market.
BetMGM executive steps down
BetMGM Chief Marketing Officer Casey Hurbis is relinquishing his role after spending nearly two years in the position. Hurbis joined BetMGM in 2024 after a seven-year stint as CMO at Rocket Mortgage. The marketing veteran’s advertising background also includes stops at ad agency giant BBDO Worldwide and automaker Stellantis.
“After a high-velocity chapter at BetMGM, I’m moving on,” said Hurbis in a LinkedIn post. “We didn’t just move the needle; we enjoyed BetMGM’s best year ever, and we redefined the brand playbook”.
Hurbis has not disclosed what his next role will be.
“From a massive CRM transformation and integration of AI into our creative workflows to industry-leading social engagement and many other wins, the super talented marketing team leaned into my ‘Art, Science and Courage’ mantra every single day,” added Hurbis.
EPIC Global Solutions hires a managing director
Former DAZN Senior Vice President of Product Growth Chetan Pandya has joined EPIC Global Solutions as the gambling harm consultancy’s managing director.
“EPIC operates in a space that is becoming increasingly critical to the future of global sport and gambling,” said Pandya. “The opportunity to help shape how organizations approach prevention, responsibility, and long-term sustainability at scale is incredibly compelling. I’m excited to be joining at such a pivotal moment in the company’s journey”.
Pandya will help guide EPIC Global Solutions in executing its strategy to reduce nationwide gambling-related harm amid regulatory and legal scrutiny of new verticals. He will also help lead EPIC Global Solution’s growth efforts as North America’s gaming market expands.
“This is a significant moment for EPIC,” said Chief Executive Officer Paul Buck.
“Chetan brings the experience, leadership, and global perspective we need as we continue to grow and evolve. Our ambition is clear—to be the trusted partner to the world’s leading organizations in player protection, and this appointment strengthens our ability to deliver on that”.
Pandya brings expertise in gaming to EPIC Global Solutions with previous stops at European online gaming brands Pragmatic Play and Pragmatic Solutions.
PrizePicks comms team loses key member
Elisa Richardson’s time at PrizePicks as the operator’s vice president of communications has come to an end. Richardson is stepping down from PrizePicks after joining the company in 2023 to lead its North American communication efforts.
“I had the opportunity to work alongside some of the most ambitious, sharp, and creative people in the industry,” said Richardson on LinkedIn. “The kind of people who raise the bar and expect you to meet it. We didn’t follow a playbook. We built one.”
Richardson is transitioning into a new C-suite role. She will be joining a holding company and venture studio backed by PrizePicks founder and former CEO Adam Wexler.
Before joining PrizePicks, Richardson held various communications and public relations roles at BetMGM. She also previously served on the communications team at theScore.
Rivalry board dwindles
Canadian gaming operator Rivalry has one member remaining on its board following a slew of resignations. The company’s board has one active member, CEO Steven Salz.
The executive is the lone board member after five members relinquished their roles. The departed executives included co-founders Ryan White and Kevin Wimer. White served as Rivalry’s chief technology officer, while Wimer held the role of chief operating officer.
Interim Chief Financial Officer Demi Abidogun-Benson also resigned from her role. The resignations came after Rivalry suspended all player activity amid a potential sale.
ProphetX bolsters legal, compliance team
ProphetX announced the hiring of Bruce Fekrat as the company’s chief legal officer and the appointment of Gabriel Wong as chief compliance and risk officer. Wong and Fekrat joined ProphetX to help the company navigate regulatory and legal challenges and ensure it adheres to compliance standards as a sports prediction exchange.
“With decades of combined experience at the intersection of innovative markets, financial technology, and regulation, ProphetX is thrilled to have Bruce and Gabriel join the team at this pivotal moment in our growth trajectory,” said ProphetX CEO Dean Sisun.
“As we bolster our presence in Washington and build toward becoming the first federally regulated sports-native exchange, these are exactly the right people to advance ProphetX’s mission”.
Fekrat and Wong join ProphetX with extensive backgrounds in exchanges, clearinghouses and event contracts. Fekrat held various roles at CME Group, FanDuel’s prediction market partner. Meanwhile, Wong joins ProphetX after working in digital assets for Crypto.com.
