BetMGM
BetMGM Introduces ESPN Veteran Ryan Spoon as Chief Operating Officer
BetMGM, the sports betting joint venture between MGM Resorts International and GVC Holdings (LSE: GVC), today announced the appointment of Ryan Spoon as Chief Operating Officer.
Most recently, Spoon served as Senior Vice President of Social & Digital Content at ESPN. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President of Digital Product and Design. In those capacities, Spoon helped build, operate and grow many of the leading digital properties in sports including ESPN.com; the ESPN App; ESPN Fantasy, including ESPN Fantasy Football; and ESPN Social. ESPN’S digital properties are the world’s leading and most successful online sports service, boasting the number one sports website and app, as well as number one sports media publisher in social engagement across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Spoon is a two-time Sports Business Journal Forty Under 40 winner. Before joining ESPN, Spoon spent time as a venture capitalist at Polaris Venture Partners where he proved to have innate skills in identifying and leveraging trends in the digital space.
Spoon will report to BetMGM’s CEO Adam Greenblatt, who said, “BetMGM has seen early success in establishing itself as a significant player in the sports betting world through relationships with leagues, teams and partners. With Ryan’s expertise in developing scaled and engaging digital experiences, BetMGM will leverage those relationships in entirely new ways.”
BetMGM’s industry-leading platform provides a user-friendly sports betting experience, making it simple to customize pre-game, live in-play, futures and parlay bets. Sports bettors can select from a wide assortment of betting options including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, soccer, tennis and combat sports. The app is currently live in six states with the goal of rapid expansion as state legislation allows.
BetMGM’s league partnerships include the NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, PGA TOUR and NASCAR. Team partners include the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Vegas Golden Knights, and more. Strategic partners include Yahoo! Sports and Buffalo Wild Wings.
Spoon said, “The opportunity at BetMGM during these early phases was an immediate draw for me. With the incredible assets of MGM Resorts, GVC’s industry-leading technology, and the many league, team and platform partners, BetMGM is uniquely positioned in the market and I am excited to help drive future growth.”
Spoon will be based in the BetMGM headquarters in New Jersey and is scheduled to start in his new role in November.
SOURCE MGM Resorts International
Powered by WPeMatico
Almir Ribeiro
BetMGM Brazil hires veteran journalist to lead government relations
BetMGM Brasil has appointed Fernando Vieira de Mello, a journalist with more than 30 years of experience across media, journalism and entertainment, to strengthen its government relations strategy in the country.
The hire comes as Brazil’s regulated betting market enters a phase of consolidation and maturity.
Vieira de Mello is widely recognised in Brazil’s communications market for his career at Grupo Globo, TV Bandeirantes, Rádio Bandeirantes and TV Cultura, where he held roles as reporter, anchor, journalism director and institutional relations executive.
Most recently, he served as director of institutional relations for São Paulo at Grupo Globo, building dialogue with market segments and regulatory bodies across the Brazilian ecosystem.
“Fernando brings a rare combination of experience in communications, management, institutional relations and a deep understanding of Brazil’s media ecosystem,” said Almir Ribeiro, CEO of BetMGM Brasil.
“His arrival further strengthens our long-term vision for the country.”
Vieira de Mello pointed to the scale of the opportunity ahead.
“Few sectors in Brazil will go through such an intense process of transformation and reputation building over the coming years as online betting.
BetMGM enters this moment with very solid attributes: an operation backed by two global groups of enormous credibility, exclusive focus on regulated markets and a clear long-term vision for Brazil.”
The appointment reflects BetMGM’s broader effort to deepen engagement with strategic stakeholders and advance its governance, responsibility and sustainable market-building agenda in Brazil.
BetMGM Brasil
Launched in January 2025, BetMGM Brasil is a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Grupo Globo. Headquartered in São Paulo, the company was among the first 14 operators to receive definitive authorisation to operate in Brazil’s regulated betting market.
Beyond Brazil, BetMGM offers online gaming and betting platforms in 29 regulated US states and across Europe.
The post BetMGM Brazil hires veteran journalist to lead government relations appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
BetMGM
BetMGM lands first-to-market exclusivity for new AGS Rakin’ Bacon! slots
Three-game rollout starts April 20 on BetMGM and Borgata Online Casino, with launches set for May 12 and July 2.
BetMGM has secured exclusive first-to-market rights to upcoming online slot titles from AGS’ Rakin’ Bacon!® franchise, with releases set to roll out across BetMGM and Borgata Online Casino, the company said April 20.
The first title, Rakin’ Bacon! Triple Oink Soda Fountain Fortunes, is available now. Two additional games are scheduled: Rakin’ Bacon! Triple Oink San Shen Zhu on May 12 and Rakin’ Bacon! Fu Zhu Bao Bao on July 2.
“The Rakin’ Bacon! franchise is a proven mainstay on casino floors and online,” said Oliver Bartlett, Senior Vice President of Gaming at BetMGM. “Securing first-to-market rights is a natural extension of the strong relationship we’ve built with top-tier game suppliers like AGS. As a premier online casino destination, it is our commitment to offer players first access to the most anticipated titles.”
BetMGM said Rakin’ Bacon! games have been among its top-performing content, noting that two slot titles from the franchise placed among the platform’s top 15 iGaming offerings in 2025.
Zoe Ebling, Vice President of Interactive at AGS, said, “AGS is focused on bringing the energy of land-based favorites into the digital world in ways that drive real engagement. Our continued partnership with BetMGM and bringing even more Rakin’ Bacon! titles online cements AGS’ commitment to offering standout gaming experiences to players across both platforms.”
More data as follows:
- BetMGM newsroom (original release): https://casino.betmgm.com/en/blog/press/ Primary source for the announcement and any follow-up details.
- AGS newsroom: https://newsroom.playags.com/ Company source for product and partnership updates on AGS’ interactive content.
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement: https://www.nj.gov/oag/ge/ Regulatory context for online casino operations referenced in Jersey City, NJ.
The post BetMGM lands first-to-market exclusivity for new AGS Rakin’ Bacon! slots appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BetMGM
Inspired Entertainment Announces Expansion of Virtual Sports with BetMGM
Inspired Entertainment Inc. announced that BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, has launched Inspired’s Virtual Sports content at BetMGM and Borgata Online sports betting platforms in New Jersey. The offering includes V-Play Soccer, V-Play Basketball, and V-Play NFL-themed Football.
Inspired’s V-Play Soccer and V-Play U.S. sports events consistently deliver incremental revenue for operators, combining broadcast-quality graphics with frequent betting opportunities that keep players engaged.
Inspired’s V-Play NFL-themed Football stands out as the first-ever NFL-themed Virtual Sports offering, giving football enthusiasts an exciting and unique way to interact with their favorite NFL teams through a fully engaging Virtual Sports experience.
“We are pleased to expand our partnership with BetMGM and Borgata to bring our proven Virtual Sports products to their New Jersey sportsbook. Our V-Play Soccer, Basketball, and V-Play NFL-themed Football products have demonstrated strong performance across regulated markets, driving meaningful incremental revenue and engagement for our operator partners. This launch underscores the growing role Virtual Sports play in modern sportsbooks, where companies that position Virtual Sports within their sportsbook, rather than their online casino, consistently generate higher revenues,” said Brooks Pierce, President and Chief Executive Officer of Inspired Entertainment.
“Inspired Entertainment is a leader in Virtual Sports and expanding our partnership represents an important milestone in elevating BetMGM and Borgata Online’s offerings in New Jersey. Inspired’s V-Play portfolio delivers the premium, engaging sports content and results from Ontario have shown a positive player response,” said Matt Prevost, Chief Revenue Officer at BetMGM.
Inspired’s V-Play Soccer, V-Play Basketball, and V-Play NFL-themed Football are currently live at BetMGM in Ontario, and has established a strong, loyal player base generating high, sustained performance across all three products.
Inspired continues to grow its Virtual Sports presence across regulated jurisdictions worldwide, providing operators with innovative, high-quality content designed to enhance engagement, generate incremental revenue, and ensure the season never ends.
The post Inspired Entertainment Announces Expansion of Virtual Sports with BetMGM appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
-
Canada7 days agoAnalysis flags World Cup 2026 stress test for Canada’s patchwork betting rules
-
Compliance Updates6 days agoEndorphina secures UAE Gaming-Related Vendor License (Tier II) from GCGRA
-
Canada7 days agoRESPWNED and LOTUS 8 to launch GIRLGAMER Winnipeg Festival in 2026
-
Asia5 days agoKazakhstan Orders Telecom Providers to Block Illegal Online Casino Payments via Mobile Balances
-
Acquisitions/Merger6 days agoPetroglyph Development Group Completes Acquisition of Great Canadian Casino Vancouver
-
Canada7 days agoRESPWNED partners with LOTUS 8 to bring GIRLGAMER festival to Winnipeg in 2026
-
Africa6 days agoJogabets migrates to VeliTech iGaming platform for Mozambique operations
-
Ilkka Kosola6 days agoVeikkaus Appoints Ilkka Kosola as its New Chief Financial Officer



