People shaping Entain’s 2026 US turnaround and BetMGM overhaul

The Entain leadership shift

Stella David leads Entain after her permanent appointment in April 2025. Her confirmation followed a period of leadership instability after Gavin Isaacs departed the company. Pierre Bouchut also moved into a permanent non-executive chair role after his interim period began in February. Entain reported a 2% revenue increase for the third quarter of 2026. This growth occurred even as the company faced a 36% decline in Brazil. The 14% rise in online revenue in the UK and Ireland helped offset these losses. Isaacs previously emphasized the need for clear goals and accountability when leading teams through changes. He believes in picking the right people and empowering them to reach their objectives. He also notes that a company must focus on what customers genuinely need to ensure efficiency. Isaacs carries a background in journalism, having launched a local newspaper in Wales and started one of the first 24/7 free independent news sites for the region. He also studied photography and film at the university level. He believes that B2B companies must provide valuable insights to help partners navigate market complexities. I see a management team that focuses on stability to drive these results.

BetMGM’s financial strength and structure

BetMGM functions as a 50/50 joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Entain. Neither parent company possesses enough control to dictate strategy without the other’s consent. Adam Greenblatt, who moved from the Entain side of the partnership after working on corporate development and strategy for both Ladbrokes and Coral, now manages the day-to-day operations for the entire $450 million joint venture. He works as a qualified accountant and former M&A banker at Rothschild & Co. He relocated from London to the United States to expand the brand across 30 North American markets. The brand reached profitability in 2025, producing $2.8 billion in net revenue and $220 million in EBITDA. This revenue included $1.8 billion from iGaming, which exceeded the revenue from the sportsbook arm. The venture returned $270 million in cash to its two parent companies in 2025. I find the financial momentum of the joint venture quite clear since the brand turned profitable in 2025.

The US market and FanDuel recruitment

FanDuel, which operates as a subsidiary of Flutter Entertainment, leads the US market in sportsbook revenue. Matt King serves as the CEO of FanDuel. The company currently seeks a Manager of Acquisition Strategy to oversee promotional investment and customer growth. This position carries a salary range between $97,000 and $121,000 CAD. The role requires five years of experience in consulting, finance, marketing, or a commercial role. The successful candidate must define player segmentation and tangible KPIs for sportsbook and casino cross-sell. They also work with Marketing Operations to execute promotional offers across regions and segments. The position requires a candidate with a strong understanding of consumer behavior and a proactive approach to tasks. The role also involves leading and developing an Acquisition Strategy Associate. You should notice how FanDuel targets specific segments like sports betting and iGaming to maintain its position. The manager must also identify "Moments that Matter" throughout the year to build execution plans with cross-functional teams. FanDuel maintains offices in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Jersey City.

Corporate pressure and long-term targets

Entain’s ownership of half of BetMGM creates ongoing questions about the long-term structure of the venture. In 2021, MGM Resorts made an $11 billion all-stock offer to buy Entain, but Entain rejected the proposal. Later that year, DraftKings submitted a competing $20 billion offer for Entain before it withdrew. These events show how the 50/50 split creates tension between the two parents. MGM’s CEO asserted that the company would seek full control of BetMGM if DraftKings prevailed. In June 2026, Barry Diller’s People Inc. offered to buy MGM Resorts for about $18 billion, which renewed speculation about the joint venture’s future. Entain’s H1 2025 results showed significant momentum for the BetMGM brand. The brand’s revenue grew by 35% during that period. Stella David expressed confidence in the brand reaching an EBITDA of over $500 million for the year. These figures exceeded the initial expectations set by the company leadership. The group expects to generate more than £0.5 billion in annual adjusted cash flow in the medium term. Will the two parents eventually seek to consolidate their stakes?