- SBTech is an international supplier of online sports betting and iGaming platforms.
- Melissa Riahei previously served as General Counsel to the Illinois Lottery.
- SBTech currently has partnerships with Churchill Downs, Golden Nugget, and Resorts Casino Hotel.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – SBTech, an international supplier of online sports wagering platforms, has taken a major step forward in their overall US sports betting strategy. Last week the company appointed former General Counsel member of the Illinois Lottery, Melissa Riahei, to serve as President of SBTech US.
“We are delighted to have Melissa on board leading our US business, as we assemble a world-class team to steer us into the next chapter of the company’s growth,” said Richard Carter, CEO of SBTech.
During Riahei’s career, she helped shape the legal challenge submitted to the US Department of Justice that ultimately lifted the federal ban of online gaming. She has also served in executive roles for both online gaming and pari-mutuel wagering companies.
Riahei’s last position as General Counsel to the Illinois lottery involved her managing the legal affairs of the state’s $2 billion gaming enterprise.
“Melissa is an extremely talented executive, with a rare blend of business, legal and political acumen and a varied breadth of experience across all sectors in gaming,” said Carter.
After the federal ban on sports betting known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was repealed in May of 2018, SBTech has made several key partnerships in establishing a presence in the US sports betting market.
SBTech signed a deal with Churchill Downs only two days after the repeal and then went on to strike similar partnerships with Golden Nugget and Resorts just weeks afterward.
This year SBTech won arguably their biggest US contract to date by becoming the exclusive provider to the Oregon Lottery’s statewide sports betting platform.
“As legalized sports betting rapidly takes root across the nation, I look forward to leading SBTech’s US expansion, establishing our operational footprint in new states, and contributing our global expertise to the growth and success of this emerging market,” said Riahei.
Where the company plans to venture into is unclear at this time, but their options have opened in the past two months. States such as Montana, Iowa, and Indiana legalized both retail sports betting and online sports wagering platforms.
Tennessee specifically was the first state in the nation to pass an online-only sports betting bill through its state legislature.
SBTech also joined a partnership with another online sports betting provider known as GAN in January of 2018. The company’s relationship could also present a new opportunity for SBTech to enter additional states.
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News tags: Churchill Downs | Golden Nugget | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Melissa Riahei | Montana | Oregon | PASPA | Resorts | Richard Carter | SBTech | Tennessee
– In his career, Hasan has worked both local and state government positions—including the Attorney General’s Office in Florida. On top of being familiar with the legislative process, he has also been researching and writing on the legality of sports betting across the US. Outside of work you’ll most likely find him producing or playing music, playing sports, or working on creative writing projects. You’ll also catch him at Doak Campbell Stadium cheering on the Noles.
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