Subscription sports streaming service DAZN has appointed former Entain executive Ian Turnbull as its new EVP of Betting and Gaming, as the firm looks to increase its engagement with the sector. 

Turnbull’s career in the betting and gaming space saw him work as Microgaming’s Services Director, and most prominently as Head of B2B at Entain – prior to its rebrand to its current corporate identity, at the time known as GVC Holdings – where he worked on the creation of the US-focused BetMGM brand in cooperation with MGM Resorts.

DAZN explained that its new hire’s expertise ‘will help DAZN amplify our offerings around the world, giving sports fans the best end-to-end experience on one platform’.

Turnbull joins fellow former Entain employee Shay Segev, who served as CEO of the FTSE100 operator, as part of DAZN’s senior management team.

Segev vacated his position at the Ladbrokes and Coral operator in January of this year to join the OTT platform as its ‘joint-chief executive’.

To further strengthen its links with the sports betting industry, DAZN has also detailed plans to hire a new VP of Product for its wagering division. 

A job description for the position on DAZN’s website read: “DAZN has been changing how the world consumes sports for the past five years and we are now embarking on an exciting new stage of our journey.

“As our VP of Product, your goal will be to capitalise on the unique opportunity that DAZN has right now: to establish a truly world class betting proposition alongside premier sports rights in some of the most exciting markets in the world.”

DAZN’s increasing engagement with the sports betting industry builds on its solid position in the media and broadcasting space, where the firm maintains an extensive portfolio of boxing matches.

Its coverage currently includes a number of high-profile fights through its deal with Matchroom Boxing inked earlier this year, whilst the company has also expressed interest in acquiring BT Sport and the rights to the Premier League.