International Game Technology (IGT) has appointed Joe Asher, previously chief executive of William Hill US, as its new president of sports betting with immediate effect.
In his new role, Asher will lead the ongoing expansion of the IGT PlaySports sports betting business in North American markets.
Asher joins IGT having most recently served as chief executive of William Hill US, a position he held from when the division was created in June 2012 until April of this year when the entire William Hill business was sold to Caesars Entertainment in a £2.9bn (€3.4bn/$3.9bn) deal.
Prior to this, Asher served as president and chief executive of the Brandywine Bookmaking business he launched as a start-up in 2008.
Asher will report to IGT Digital and Betting chief executive Enrico Drago in his new role.
“I’m really excited to join Enrico Drago and the IGT PlaySports team to help this business reach new heights for our customers and our shareholders,” Asher, said. “This is a unique moment in the North American gaming industry as sports betting is expanding rapidly and opportunities abound.
“I have some background working in partnership with PlaySports and I look forward to working with our team to further enhance our technology and trading capabilities to serve our existing and future customers.”
Drago added: “The PlaySports sports betting solution is among the most widely used in the US, powering approximately 50 US sportsbooks for 20 customers across 18 states.
“We expect continued growth in our PlaySports business, and Joe Asher’s knowledge, experience, network and vision for sports betting are key ingredients to boosting our future success.”
The appointment comes after IGT last month announced further changes to the way that its business operates, establishing a new ‘Digital and Betting’ division.
Headed up by Drago and comprising the igaming and sports betting operations previously part of its Global Gaming segment, the new business means IGT now operates as three segments, with the new Digital and Betting arm running alongside its Global Lottery and Global Gaming divisions founded in July last year.
