Australian online betting operator PlayUp has appointed Dennis Drazin – who helped drive the push for legal sports betting in the US as chairman and chief executive of Monmouth Park operator Darby Development – to its board of directors.
PlayUp said Drazin would work “directly” with PlayUp US chief executive Dr Laila Mintas in order to help drive growth in the US and elsewhere. PlayUp appointed Mintas – a professor of sports law at Columbia University and previously chair of Bet.Works’ strategic advisory board – to lead its US operations in July.
“I have known Dennis for years and am very delighted to have him joining PlayUp´s global board of directors,” Mintas said. “He has an unmatched level of experience and knowledge in the key areas of our business and I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to grow our presence in the US and globally.”
As well as the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), Drazen is also working on Monmouth Park’s launch of fixed-odds betting with BetMakers and PointsBet. A bill, filed by Senator Vin Gopal in November, is moving through the committee stage to facilitate this roll-out.
Besides his role at Darby Development, Drazen has also been an advisor to the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and has been chairman of the New Jersey Racing Commission since 2009. He is also a partner at personal injury law firm Drazin and Warshaw.
“I am very excited to join PlayUp and look forward to utilizing my many years of experience and industry leadership to develop and expand PlayUp’s extensive strategy as they look to grow their USA and Global presence”.
PlayUp global chief executive Daniel Simic said Drazin’s extensive experience should greatly help the operator grow.
“Dennis is a well-recognized figure in the US gambling industry and will add enormous experience to our board,” Simic said. “I look forward to working with him and Laila as we expand our global footprint.
“Significant progress has been made to introduce fixed-odds horse racing in the USA and what better person to have on our board than the man helping to currently oversee the pilot program.”
Earlier this month, PlayUp raised $25m to fund its entry into the US market through a non-renounceable entitlement offer. The operator has already received licenses to operate in New Jersey and Colorado