Sportsbet has announced the appointment of Doug Brown as its next CEO, effective 1 June 2026.
This leadership change coincides with current CEO Barni Evans transitioning to an expanded regional role within parent company Flutter Entertainment.
Expanded regional role
Barni Evans, who has served as Sportsbet’s CEO and led the company through a phase of consolidation, will take on the position of CEO, Flutter APAC & Emerging Markets.
This new role broadens his responsibilities to oversee Flutter’s betting operations across the Asia-Pacific region and other emerging markets.
Flutter Entertainment highlighted that Evans’s move is designed to keep him “closely connected to the business” while managing a wider geographic scope.
“It’s been a huge privilege to be part of Sportsbet’s story. I’m incredibly proud of the business we’ve built and the team behind it,” said Evans.
“I look forward to remaining closely connected to the business while taking on this broader role across APAC and Emerging Markets.”
Doug Brown: an internal succession
Doug Brown, a senior Sportsbet executive since 2015, has held pivotal roles including chief operating officer, chief product officer, and chief growth officer.
Flutter Entertainment referred to Brown as “a key architect of Sportsbet’s growth”, crediting his contribution to the company’s focus on product innovation and customer-led expansion.
In a statement, Brown said: “Sportsbet is a dynamic business with smart people and a lot of momentum, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead the business in its next phase.”
“My focus is simple – keep improving the experience for our customers, bringing excitement to life, and making the most of the opportunities in front of us.”
Evans congratulated Brown, saying: “Doug is the right person to lead the next phase as CEO. He knows the business inside out and has played a major role in getting us to where we are today”.
Changes across the board
The leadership shift is not the first to be announced by Flutter in recent weeks. FanDuel, Flutter’s US brand, announced the departure of Amy Howe, its CEO for the last five years. Former president of FanDuel Christian Genetski, who joined the company in 2015, is to take over.
Parent company Flutter generated $4.3 billion in revenue for Q1 of 2026. This beat analysts’ expectations of $4.2 billion.
Kathryn Evans
Kathryn covers bitesize breaking news with a primary focus on EMEA and US legislation. A proud North Walian, fluent Welsh speaker and lifelong Wrexham FC fan – long before Hollywood came calling.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/people/people-moves/sportsbet-names-new-ceo-amid-flutter-apac-restructure/
