SBTech hires Dave Hammond as new operations chief

| By iGB Editorial Team
Dave Hammond previously held senior roles at Paddy Power Betfair and Inspired Entertainment

SBTech has appointed industry veteran Dave Hammond, previously of Paddy Power Betfair and Inspired Entertainment, as its new chief operating officer.

Hammond (pictured) will manage global operations at the sports betting and gaming technology supplier, with a focus on supporting its ongoing expansion plans in both existing and new markets.

In his new role, Hammond will also oversee the company’s technology, research and development, operations and business analytics teams.

“The company’s proven omni-channel full platform technology is widely used and is rapidly being adopted by numerous well-known sports betting, gaming, horse racing and lottery brands on an international scale,” Hammond said. “I look forward to accelerating this growth as the business and its innovative products continue to break new ground, furthering our partners’ reach and maximising their revenue.”

Hammond joins SBTech having most recently served as executive chairman of Cyprus-based blockchain sports betting operator Spartos. Prior to this, he was a founding partner of gambling industry consultancy BetConsultancy.com.

He also had a two-and-a-half-year spell at Paddy Power Betfair, first serving as director of retail product and innovation from November 2015 to June 2016, before going on to become B2B director from May 2016 to July of this year,

Hammond also spent almost 10 years with Inspired Entertainment, from April 2006 until January 2015. He held various senior roles at the virtual sports and gaming machine specialist, including gaming operations manager from August 2012 to January 2015 and senior vice president of mobile from January 2015 to November of the same year.

“We’re delighted to have appointed Dave, whose vast operational experience and proven track record of implementing high growth strategies in a host of senior industry roles will add huge value to the company as we continue to grow in over 20 regulated markets we currently operate in,” SBTech chief executive Richard Carter said.

“Dave will work closely with myself and the senior management team across all areas of the business to ensure we not only meet but exceed our customers’ expectations in 2019 and beyond.”

Hammond joins SBTech just weeks after the company announced its entrance into the French market. Last month, SBTech told iGamingBusiness.com that it has “a strong pipeline of well-known operators” ready to use its services in the country.

SBTech is also progressing with sports betting growth plans in the US, where it has secured a series of deals in the wake of Supreme Court repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). In September, SBTech went live with its sports betting services in both New Jersey and Mississippi, having partnered with Churchill Downs brand BetAmerica, and the Golden Nugget and Resorts Casino venues in Atlantic City.

As part of these expansion plans, SBTech also recently brought in Jeremie Kanter as its new compliance chief, with a remit of raising the company’s standards across all markets.

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