Bally’s Appoints New CEO
Change is afoot: Bally’s has revealed that its current CEO Lee Fenton will soon step down, simultaneously naming his replacement – the company’s president of interactive, Robeson Reeves. Reeves joined Gamesys in 2005, and has acted in several leadership positions with the company since, including COO and director of gaming operations. He will become CEO as of March 31st, 2023.
Bally’s current CEO Lee Fenton will be stepping down and his replacement will be the company’s current president of interactive, Robeson Reeves. ©stux/Pixabay
Fenton First Became CEO of Bally’s Corporation in October 2021
In yet more structural changes to its executive-level leadership, major casino and sports betting provider Bally’s has revealed that its current CEO Lee Fenton will be stepping down imminently, while also taking the opportunity to name the company’s current president of interactive, Robeson Reeves, as his replacement.
The soon-to-be CEO Reeves first joined Gamesys all the way back in 2005, occupying a series of major leadership positions within the company ever since, including the likes of COO and director of gaming operations. Reeves’ appointment will officially begin as of March 31st, 2023.
Upon the news that Bally’s would be taking over Gamesys Group PLC, Lee Fenton subsequently became CEO of Bally’s in October 2021. Also worth noting is that this decision will mean that Fenton will be leaving the company’s board of directors, a move that will also become valid as of March 31st.
Robeson is Seen as Particularly Talented by Bally’s Executive Leadership
To mark the occasion of his ascension to the role of chief executive officer (CEO) of Bally’s Corporation, Robeson Reeves expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, seeing a bright future ahead for the operator:
“I am honored to lead Bally’s and grateful for the support and confidence shown in me by my fellow board members. We are a unique company with a robust core and an extraordinary set of opportunities ahead of us. I look forward to working hard with my executive team and all our teams to take those opportunities and maximize our growth.”– Robeson Reeves, Incoming Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bally’s Corporation, Press Release
Meanwhile, for his part, Lee Fenton highlighted the special nature of working at a company such as Bally’s, claiming that he has plenty of confidence in Reeves’ abilities to steer the ship:
“Bally’s is an extraordinary business with extraordinary people, and I want to thank each and every one of them for the support they have shown me and the commitment they continue to bring to the business. It is particularly special for me to be able to hand the reigns to Robeson with whom I have worked for over 14 years. Robeson is a unique talent and the time is right for him to lead Bally’s.”– Lee Fenton, Outgoing Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bally’s Corporation, Press Release
And finally, major Bally’s news wouldn’t be complete without a statement from Soo Kim, chairman of Bally’s board of directors, who praised Fenton’s time at the company while simultaneously rolling out the red carpet for Reeves:
“On behalf of the board of directors, I want to thank Lee for his excellent leadership and valuable contributions to Bally’s. Lee has led Bally’s through the effective integration of Gamesys, leaving us well positioned for future growth. I am excited to have Robeson succeed Lee as CEO. Robeson has an extraordinary mind and the drive required to excel as he takes the helm.”– Soo Kim, Chairman, Bally’s Corporation, Press Release
Bally’s Appointed Major Finance Executive to Board in January 2023
As already hinted at, Bally’s has experienced a number of changes to both its executive-level leadership and board of directors in recent months, with the operator revealing in January 2023 the appointment of a seasoned executive from the finance industry, Tracy Harris, as an independent member of its board of directors.
Harris boasts over 20 years of experience in the finance industry, most recently acting as executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer of MIB. She also spent time as chief financial officer (CFO) of UMUC Ventures, holding the same title at Bullis School and BondFactor.
In addition to her responsibilities at Bally’s, Harris likewise sits on the board of the health insurance and healthcare provider CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and also acts as an independent director at 1847 Holdings.
Incoming statements from Harris championed the strong cast of individuals who also currently sit on Bally’s board of directors:
“It is an honor to join such an outstanding group of individuals on Bally’s board of directors; I look forward to bringing my experience and perspective to the Board, and to supporting Bally’s as it continues to grow and expand.”
Casino Operator Signed Deal With Union Conglomerate in December 2022
And to close things off on Bally’s this week, the company stepped into a significant labor neutrality agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) for its Tropicana Las Vegas retail property back in December 2022.
The crux of the agreement is based on the somewhat vague promise that both parties will adopt a neutral approach to organizing campaigns. Jose Soto, Organizing Director of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 501, nevertheless made the decision to praise Bally’s devotion to supporting organized labor:
“Bally’s and IUOE are aligned in our efforts to advance employee representation locally and at the national level. As a result of the commitment and integrity demonstrated by Mr. Kim and his team, we’ve developed a strong relationship with Bally’s that we are confident will benefit the company’s workforce for many years to come.”
