Succeeding in the gambling industry requires having the right people in place, and operators and suppliers alike are constantly on the lookout for new leaders.
Each week, SBC Americas spotlights some of the big movers in the North American industry.
Polymarket recruits ex-Uber VP as chief growth officer
As it scales up its U.S. operations following its return to offering markets on sports and other categories across the country, Polymarket appointed former Uber Vice President Travis VanderZanden to serve as Chief Growth Officer.
VanderZanden, who was also previously Lyft’s COO and founded the electric scooter sharing company Bird, will oversee growth and marketing strategy at Polymarket as the prediction market ramps for upcoming high-volume events.
“Most people still think of prediction markets as a place to trade on elections or sports,” VanderZanden wrote in a LinkedIn post announcing his career change. “IMO that’s the smallest version of what this becomes … Shayne Coplan’s built something genuinely rare, and I’m here to help him scale it to the world.”
VanderZanden’s arrival comes after other recent C-suite and leadership hires at Polymarket’s U.S. business, including ex-Robinhood executive Megan McGrath as chief compliance officer and ex-Nasdaq executive Paul Jordan as chief risk officer.
Ex-FanDuel director takes executive role at The Unit
After concluding more than seven years at FanDuel, where she held director roles on the commercial and partnerships side of the business, Fiona Power has joined Irish online gambling product specialist The Unit as CCO.
Based in New York City, she will help to lead the company’s international expansion from the U.S., working on commercial strategy, market analysis and new partnerships.
“There is a significant opportunity to develop new partnerships, anticipate where the market is heading, and connect The Unit’s capabilities with businesses that can benefit from them,” Power said.
The Unit noted that at FanDuel, Power’s achievements included developing complex multi-state partnership agreements and helping to launch more than 20 retail sportsbooks across the U.S. The Unit co-founder Paddey Casey said that the new CCO will bring “a truly exceptional combination of commercial experience, industry knowledge, and a deep understanding of the U.S. gaming market.”
Golden Nugget veteran named Bally’s Atlantic City president
Bally’s Corporation hired veteran casino executive Tom Pohlman as the new president of Bally’s Atlantic City, adding new leadership at one of its staple properties. Pohlman spent the previous 15 years as a leader at Golden Nugget Atlantic City, and is staying in the New Jersey resort city.
“Bally’s sits at one of the most recognizable locations in gaming and hospitality, the legendary corner of Park Place and the Boardwalk,” wrote Pohlman on LinkedIn. “It is a property with deep roots, a proud history, and incredible opportunities ahead.”
The appointment comes as Bally’s presses ahead with billion-dollar construction projects in three states, amid sustained multi-billion-dollar losses and a plummeting share price.
Internet Vikings welcomes new COO
B2B digital hosting and cloud provider has named Nicklas Insulander as its new COO, effective in October.
A former Orange Business Managing Director, Insulander will oversee operational strategy at the Swedish company, which caters to the European and North American online sports betting and iGaming sectors. The company provides fully licensed in-state hosting in 24 U.S. states.
Internet Viking said he has deep experience in digital transformation, AI, and data-driven innovation, and founder and CEO Rickard Vikström added that the COO will play an important role in ensuring that the company remains agile and efficient.”
“Throughout my career, I have always been passionate about creating customer value by building high-quality services and strong operations,” said Insulander. “I’m excited to join Internet Vikings at such a dynamic stage of the company’s growth and to build on the strong foundation already in place as we continue to scale.”
Canadian operator makes C-suite changes
North of the border, Canadian online sportsbook and casino operator NorthStar Gaming named several new executive leaders:
- Interim CEO Corey Goodman takes the role on a permanent basis
- Chin Dhushenthen has resigned as CFO and been replaced on an interim basis by Ben Powell
- Krisztina Kalla is the company’s new vice president of compliance
NorthStar operates NorthStar Bets in Ontario’s regulated market and also provides B2B and B2C services elsewhere in Canada. It has faced financial difficulties in recent times and undertaken cost-saving measures such as layoffs and other expenditure cutbacks. The firm is also currently under a trading ban on the Toronto Stock Exchange after it failed to file audited financial statements and other documentation.
EveryMatrix names new AI chief
As it looks to harness the power of artificial intelligence to boost its business supplying casino and betting technology to operators, EveryMatrix has recruited a new person to lead its AI efforts.
Former Inpay and EY Denmark head Jeppe Wienziers Stenbæk will be charged with helping the company to continue to implement AI measures across its corporate and technological operations.
“Much of my career has been about making organizations work better through technology,” Wienziers Stenbæk wrote on LinkedIn. “From software robotics to revenue operations to building products in crypto. The tools changed along the way, but the job was always the same. Find where technology creates real value and make it happen.
“That’s why this role feels less like a new direction and more like the natural next step. AI is the biggest lever I’ve seen for that job in my career. I’m excited to be back in SaaS and to shape how AI creates value across EveryMatrix.”
