Joe Asher joins IGT as president of sports betting division
Ex-William Hill US CEO returns to sector to spearhead growth drive of PlaySports business
Former William Hill US CEO Joe Asher has joined IGT as its new president of sports betting.
Asher has previously held management positions at several racetracks including Brandywine Raceway, Dover Downs, Harrington Raceway and Foxboro Raceway.
He has also served as a racing handicapper at Delaware Park and became the youngest track announcer in the US, calling races at Harrington, Foxboro, Brandywine and Dover Downs.
Asher joined Hills in June 2012 after the acquisition of the Brandywine Bookmaking business, where he served as CEO and president for five years.
In April, Asher stepped down from his role at William Hill US as part of preparations for the firm’s $3.7bn takeover by Caesars Entertainment.
Hills US has since been wound up and absorbed into the Caesars Sportsbook brand.
Asher is also a qualified attorney and spent nine years at the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
In his new role as president of sports betting, Asher will lead the ongoing expansion of IGT’s PlaySports business across North America and will report to IGT CEO of digital and betting Enrico Drago.
Asher said: “This is a unique moment in the North American gaming industry as sports betting is expanding rapidly and opportunities are 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,” he added.