Betfred relocates trading chief to develop US operations

Betfred has relocated head of in-play and sports product development Andrew McLauchlan to Las Vegas to the develop firm’s US trading operations, EGR North America has learned.

McLauchlan, who relocated to the US in January, will be joined by two other senior traders from Betfred’s head office in Warrington, UK.

The move is part of Betfred US’ plans to replicate its trading and risk management model in the UK, using a team led by trading VP Lou Damico.

The firm’s US COO, Bryan Bennett, told EGR: “Betfred has a history of risk and managing risk, and we wanted to make sure it was permeated throughout the US organisation.

“From the perspective of trade and risk, it made tonnes of sense to have a blended team,” Bennett said.

However, Bennett said Betfred would hire locally to build its marketing and customer support teams in Las Vegas. “We really feel like there’s enough talent here in the US, whether it be in real-money gaming or not,” Bennett said.

“We’ve decided that we’re going to build all the supporting functions here, and for the time being, I think the three trading guys are probably the only ones we’ll move over from the UK,” he added.

The operator recently hired a head of customer support and head of marketing at its Las Vegas hub.

Bennett suggested the hiring spree will now slow down to give the business a chance to scale.

Betfred is close to launching its first US sportsbook in Iowa, with casino operator Elite Casino Resort.

“It’s a Vegas-quality book in the middle of Iowa and it looks fantastic at 3,500 square feet,” said Bennett.

The privately owned firm signed further market-access deals last week, gaining entry into Pennsylvania and Colorado.