Former Betfred Digital MD Sheffield lands US egaming role
Chris Sheffield joins Penn National to lead the casino and racetrack operator's move into the online space
Former Betfred Digital managing director Chris Sheffield has been hired to lead the newly-formed interactive gaming division of US casino and racetrack operator, Penn National.
Sheffield has been appointed senior vice-president and managing director of iGaming, and will oversee the operator’s long-awaited move into the online space.
Sheffield, who left Betfred in July last year after three and half years in the role, is in the process of relocating to the US where he will report directly to Penn National chief exec Timothy Wilmott.
“Chris’ technical background, extensive executive and operational management experience and broad knowledge of the online and mobile gaming world makes him a strong addition to the Penn National management team as we explore, plan for and launch internet and mobile gaming operations across our portfolio over the coming years,” Wilmott said.
Prior to joining Betfred, Sheffield founded mobile gaming firm Million 2-1, which was acquired by IGT in June 2008. He also formed internet production firm Eunite, and served as an IT consultant at Deloitte for 10 years.
Penn National operates 26 gaming facilities across 17 US states, including Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and is one of the largest operators yet to enter the regulated US egaming industry.
While Nevada and New Jersey have regulated egaming, Pennsylvania has yet to make progress despite two poker-only bills being introduced to the legislature last year.
A state-commissioned study found that regulated egaming would benefit the state, and estimated it could generate around $307m a year in online revenue after five years.
The debate over whether to open up its digital doors will likely resume later this year, with a number of egaming bills expected to be introduced in the coming months.