IGT Plc has confirmed the appointment of former William Hill US CEO Joe Asher as President of its sports betting division, under the firm’s new Digital-&-Betting unit.

Effective from 1 October, Asher will report to Enrico Drago, IGT CEO of Digital-&-Betting, and will spearhead the ongoing expansion of the IGT PlaySports sportsbook business in North American markets.

“The PlaySports sports betting solution is among the most widely used in the US, powering approximately 50 US sportsbooks for 20 customers across 18 states,” noted Drago.

“We expect continued growth in our PlaySports business, and Joe Asher’s knowledge, experience, network and vision for sports betting are key ingredients to boosting our future success.”

Asher joins the company having most recently served as CEO of William Hill US, a position he held when business was created until it was sold in a £2.2bn deal to Caesars Entertainment.

“I’m really excited to join Enrico Drago and the IGT PlaySports team to help this business reach new heights for our customers and our shareholders,” commented Asher.

“This is a unique moment in the North American gaming industry as sports betting is expanding rapidly and opportunities abound. I have some background working in partnership with PlaySports and I look forward to working with our team to further enhance our technology and trading capabilities to serve our existing and future customers.”

Asher will take leadership of IGT sports betting strategy, as the NYSE gambling technology group splits its business organisation into the three separate units of Global Lotteries, Global Gaming and Digital-&-Betting Betting.

Asher was recently named as one of five new members to be inducted into the Sports Betting Hall of Fame at a special ceremony at the MetLife Stadium on December 1, 2021, during the SBC Summit North America conference and trade show.

He will be joined by Yolanda Acuña, former director of administration at MGM Resorts, Johnny Avello, director of race and sportsbook operations at DraftKings, Joe Brennan Jr, former chair at IMEGA, and Jimmy Vaccaro, Las Vegas bookmaker/sports marketing director at South Point Hotel and Casino.