DraftKings is extending its Las Vegas office and sportsbook team. The daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sportsbook operator recently announced the recruitment of Johnny Avello, a highly esteemed bookmaker in Las Vegas.
Avello most recently served as the director of operations at the Wynn Las Vegas sportsbook. Prior to joining Wynn in 2005, he spent 15 years employed at Bally’s, Las Vegas Hilton (now known as Westgate) and Sands Hotel (currently The Venetian).
Avello says goodbye to Wynn, hello to DraftKings
Avello is not just one of the most esteemed bookmakers in Las Vegas, but he’s also one of the most renowned. Despite the fact that betting on awards shows like the Academy Awards is not legal in Nevada, he creates odds for mainstream media outlets to use for entertainment purposes.
Avello’s expertise in devising odds for non-sporting events could prove beneficial for his transition. DraftKings’ desire to provide distinctive betting opportunities isn’t a secret. Earlier this year, they boasted about offering odds on events like hot dog eating competitions and free agency maneuvers.
Avello is certainly thinking outside the box with his transition to DraftKings. The new sportsbook operator does not extend their primary product (DFS) or their latest offering (sportsbook) to residents of Nevada. DraftKings, while assembling a robust team, only provides sports betting in New Jersey.
DraftKings is poaching the industry’s best
A young and growing company will benefit from the years of experience Avello has in operating sportsbooks in Nevada.
“Johnny is viewed as a Las Vegas legend,” stated Matt Kalish, DraftKings co-founder and chief revenue officer. “His reputation in the gaming industry is highly esteemed and he brings more than three decades of experience, insights, and ideas to DraftKings. Our commitment is to create a top-notch sports betting operation by assembling remarkable talent with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Johnny’s addition brings us nearer to achieving this goal.”
Avello is not the only seasoned bookmaker to join DraftKings. Earlier this year, the company announced that it had hired Frank Kunovic, who previously served as the head bookmaker at Caesars Entertainment casinos in Nevada. Also, Gaming Today reported this week that Ed Malinowski, a sports and racebook executive at Golden Entertainment (The Stratosphere), is set to join the DraftKings sportsbook team.
DraftKings has expanded their sportsbook team by adding three seasoned bookmakers from Las Vegas. What does this mean moving forward?
Shuffling in sports betting
Ever since the overturning of PASPA earlier this year, the sports betting industry has seen a lot of reshuffling. A day following the news of Malinowski’s departure, Golden Entertainment inked a contract with William Hill to supervise sports betting operations at their casinos and bars.
The recent hires at DraftKings are aiding in the establishment of a nationwide sportsbook behemoth. Currently, this giant is still in its infancy, operating exclusively within the New Jersey sports betting field. The company’s efforts to penetrate the Nevada sportsbook market are significant, as it seeks to gain recognition in the industry.
Caesars Entertainment could potentially be a partner in Nevada. Despite their interest in branding The Book concept, which is currently being tested at The Linq, Caesars Palace is attempting to sell the naming rights for their sportsbook in Las Vegas.
One possibility is that DraftKings may acquire a position in the Nevada sportsbook market. It’s worth noting that CG Technology has received three fines in the last two years from the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
For over a year, there have been ongoing rumors that they may consider exiting the sports betting industry. Their recent issues with the NGCB mean that all possibilities are open if they decide to withdraw from the market.
Perhaps DraftKings might purchase CG Technology’s leases and assets to establish a presence in the Las Vegas market. This strategy is not unprecedented in Nevada. For instance, William Hill made its entry into the US in 2011 by acquiring American Wagering Inc.
