DraftKings poaches Wynn sportsbook chief
Johnny Avello to join Vegas office and manage retails sportsbook operations and risk-management
DraftKings has hired Wynn sportsbook director Johnny Avello for a director level role in its new Vegas office.
Avello will reportedly oversee retail operations and risk management for the DraftKings Sportsbook, prompting further speculation the DFS operator is planning to apply for a Nevada license.
Avello has spent 13 years at Wynn and has been involved in Las Vegas sports betting since the 1970s.
DraftKings chief revenue officer Matt Kalish said in a statement that Avello was a “Las Vegas legend”.
“He is very respected in the gaming industry and brings well over 30 years of experience, insights and ideas to DraftKings,” Kalish said.
“We’re committed to building a world-class sports betting operation by putting together amazing talent with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and Johnny’s arrival brings us one step closer to that goal.”
Johnny Avello
Avello will work alongside director of retail sportsbook operations Frank Kunovic in Vegas, who himself was hired from Caesars around six weeks ago.
Jamie Shea, who joined with Kunovich from IGT, heads up the mobile/online part of the sportsbook in the US.
Sportshandle also reported yesterday that Ed Malinowski, sports and racebook executive at Golden Entertainment, would be joining DraftKings’ Vegas team.
DraftKings Sportsbook is currently only live in New Jersey and has yet to announce any license applications or market access deals for other states.