Global gaming giant Entain Plc has appointed Andrew Vouris to permanently lead its Australia & New Zealand (ANZ) business, a division facing a complex mix
Global gaming giant Entain Plc has appointed Andrew Vouris to permanently lead its Australia & New Zealand (ANZ) business, a division facing a complex mix of significant regulatory challenges and major growth opportunities.
Vouris had been serving as interim CEO since the end of June, following the departure of his predecessor, Dean Shannon. Entain confirmed that the permanent appointment was made following a “global talent search,” signalling the board’s strong confidence in Vouris’s leadership during a turbulent period for the unit.
In his first statement as permanent CEO, Vouris made his priorities clear, with a strong emphasis on compliance and culture. “My priority is to embed a ‘win, but not at all costs’ culture and get back to the basics of selling bets,” he said. “I will also be focusing on leading innovation in our sector while protecting our customers.”
This focus was echoed by Group CEO Stella David, who endorsed the appointment. “ Andrew stood out as the right leader for Entain ANZ,” she stated. “His leadership as interim CEO has demonstrated his commitment to our people, our partners and to building a sustainable, compliance-led and customer-focused culture.”
Vouris takes the helm of a division with starkly different prospects in its two key territories.
In Australia, his immediate challenge is to navigate the fallout from an ongoing investigation by the country’s financial crime agency, AUSTRAC. The regulator has initiated proceedings against Entain for “serious and systematic” non-compliance with anti-money laundering laws, and the company has already made a £50 million provision in its accounts for a potential penalty. This comes alongside a 7% year-on-year drop in the country’s online revenue during Q2.
In contrast, the outlook in New Zealand is much brighter. Vouris will be responsible for managing Entain’s new 25-year strategic partnership with TAB NZ, which was granted a legislative monopoly over online sports and race betting in June. There is also the significant opportunity of a new regulated online casino market, which is expected to launch in the country in 2026.
Vouris is a seasoned executive with nearly two decades of experience in the wagering industry. Before joining Entain, he spent almost ten years at its key Australian rival, Tabcorp, including as general manager of its wagering business. This deep local market knowledge will be critical as he works to restore stability in Australia while capitalizing on the major growth opportunities in New Zealand.
