Entain, the parent company of Ladbrokes and Coral, announced the unexpected departure of its CEO, Gavin Isaacs, after only five months in the role. This sudden change in leadership sent Entain’s stock price tumbling by 11%. The company stated that the decision was mutual and effective immediately.
Isaacs, a seasoned gambling industry executive with a strong background in privately-held US companies, joined Entain in September 2025 after relocating from Las Vegas. While his resume boasted significant experience in the American gambling sector, navigating the complexities of a publicly traded multinational corporation listed in London presented a different set of challenges. This difference is understood to have prompted the board to initiate the search for a new chief executive.
Despite Isaacs’ brief tenure, Entain recently reported that its annual profits were expected to reach the upper end of market forecasts, suggesting that his departure was not performance-related. However, this change adds to the ongoing turbulence at the company, which also owns Sportingbet.
Prior to Isaacs’ appointment, Entain operated without a permanent CEO for nine months following the exit of Jette Nygaard-Andersen. Her departure followed a substantial £615 million payment to resolve a bribery investigation linked to its Turkish operations.
Stella David, Entain’s chairman, who previously held the CEO position on an interim basis, will resume the role while the search for a permanent replacement commences. Pierre Bouchut, the senior independent director, will step in as interim chairman. David affirmed that Entain is “making strong progress in delivering our strategic priorities” and expressed gratitude for Isaacs’ contributions.
This leadership transition comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of Entain’s past conduct. The Financial Reporting Council is currently investigating KPMG’s audit of Entain’s 2022 financial statements. Furthermore, Australian regulators have initiated legal proceedings against the company for alleged breaches of anti-money laundering regulations, claiming inadequate controls for user identification and fund source verification. Entain acknowledges the possibility of a financial penalty resulting from these allegations.
Entain’s stock, which has declined by a third over the past year, experienced a further drop following the announcement of Isaacs’ departure. The company, formerly known as GVC Holdings, has confirmed its commitment to finding a permanent successor. The search for a new CEO will be a crucial step in navigating the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead for Entain. The company’s ability to attract and retain strong leadership will be critical to its future success and stability in the competitive gambling market.
