DAZN’s recruitment strategy of hiring experienced industry executives to head its new DAZN Bet venture has continued, hiring two more former senior Entain employees.

Shane McLaughlin joins DAZN Bet as Managing Director for the UK and Ontario, ending a nearly 13 year career with Entain which saw him hold six positions, with the most recent being Director of Digital Business Development.

The new hire was also responsible for overseeing Betdaq as Managing Director between January 2015 and November 2021 and serving as BoyleSports’ Commercial Manager between 2007 and 2009. 

Confirming his appointment on LinkedIn, McLaughlin said: “I’m delighted to share that I will be joining DAZN Bet as Managing Director for UK & Ontario. I’m massively excited to be teaming up again with some exceptional former colleagues for the launch of this new venture. 

“It’s been an incredible 13 year journey through Betdaq, Ladbrokes Coral, and GVC/Entain and I am hugely grateful to some amazing colleagues and mentors who have supported me through this time. I wish everyone at Entain the very best for the future.       

“For now I’m on gardening leave and will be spending some quality time with the family and recharging for the adventures ahead. Take care & I hope to see many of you soon.”

Meanwhile, Simon Gatenby will fill the position of CMO at DAZN Bet, having worked at Entain since 2018, starting as CTO – Data and CRM for the Ladbrokes Coral Group.

Gattenby concluded his tenure at Entain in the role of Performance Marketing and Marketing Technology Director at the FTSE100 group. 

“I’m delighted to share that I’m joining DAZN Bet as CMO,” Gatenby remarked, also on LinkedIn. “An amazing opportunity to lead the Marketing Mission for this new venture, and a chance to work with some amazing talent.

“For now I’m on gardening leave, and will be spending some quality time with my family. Or bike. I’ve had an amazing time at Entain – where I’ve learned loads. I wish them the very best for the future.”

The duo are the third and fourth senior Entain employees to join the global OTT sports streaming service’s new betting project, following on from the appointment of Ian Turnbull and Sandeep Tiku as respective VP of Betting and Chief Technological Officer. 

Additional betting industry veterans to have joined DAZN include Mark Kemp, former BoyleSports CEO, who will serve as DAZN Bet CEO, and former Sky Bet and William Hill risk and safer gambling lead Gemma Burge as Head of Safer Gambling. 

DAZN’s betting ambitions came to fruition last month, when DAZN Bet was announced with sportsbook solutions support from Pragmatic Play – itself a newcomer to sports betting – with the brand planned for launch ahead of the 2022/23 football season.