Every Thursday, SBC Americas compiles notable leadership changes in the U.S. gaming sector. This week’s updates highlight CEO transitions at OpenBet and SciPlay, along with executive shifts at Catena Media, IGT, Polymarket, and beyond.
OpenBet has announced that its CEO, Jordan Levin, will take on the role of chairman at the end of 2026, with Nikos Konstakis, the current president, set to succeed him as CEO.
Konstakis has contributed significantly to OpenBet, focusing on operational execution and strategic goals. As Levin transitions to chairman, he plans to remain involved in shaping the company's strategy. Levin expressed trust in Konstakis’s leadership, stating, "Nikos has already been instrumental in driving the evolution of OpenBet. He knows our business, customers, and technology inside out."
Konstakis emphasized that part of his role will be to expand OpenBet's customer base and explore new growth opportunities. This leadership change follows a $450 million management buyout of OpenBet from Endeavor Group Holdings, where Levin and other executives participated. OpenBet has also announced plans to purchase technology supplier OmniLogic to enhance its position in the global lottery market.
In another significant development, at Light & Wonder, CEO Josh Wilson will leave his position at SciPlay effective October 30. The company has not disclosed the reasons for his departure. Wilson has been with Light & Wonder and its predecessor Scientific Games for over 13 years.
Oliver Chow, the CFO of Light & Wonder, will temporarily lead SciPlay until a permanent CEO is appointed. Light & Wonder CEO and President Matt Wilson recognized Josh’s contributions, stating, "Josh has made a substantial contribution to SciPlay over more than two decades," and emphasized the intention to find the right leader for the next phase of SciPlay.
Polymarket is also in the news, having appointed Collin McKinney Hill, former General Manager at DoorDash, as its new VP of Operations. CEO Shayne Coplan highlighted the importance of operational proficiency in scaling prediction markets. McKinney Hill described his new role as an "enormous opportunity" to advance Polymarket.
In a separate development, Caesars Entertainment saw two board members, Ted Papapostolou and Jesse Lynn, resign prior to the shareholders’ approval of a $17.6 billion acquisition by Fertitta Entertainment. These resignations occurred before a meeting where stockholders voted in favor of the takeover, which had been complicated by Icahn’s offers that Caesars deemed unsuitable due to debt and executive uncertainties.
IGT recently announced Jamie Knight's promotion from Senior Vice President of U.S. Game Studios to Chief Studios Officer. He will succeed Jean Venneman, who plans to retire at the end of 2026 after a 30-year career in the industry. Knight will spearhead IGT’s studio initiatives and innovation in game development.
Soft2Bet has enhanced its B2B leadership team with the appointments of James Hancock as VP of B2B marketing and Harry Heynes as business development director. Their positions are expected to bolster the company's growth and expand its iGaming technologies across regulated markets.
Lastly, Catena Media appointed Martin Zetterlund as interim Chief Technology Officer on September 17. Zetterlund will drive the technology division and report to CEO Manuel Stan while the company searches for a permanent CTO. Stan remarked that Zetterlund’s experience in technology businesses will be beneficial during this transition.
