Entain Australia and New Zealand interim CEO Andrew Vouris has said the operator wants to “win” in the Southern Hemisphere, but “not at all costs”, as the business enters a new phase.
Vouris replaced Dean Shannon as head of the division in June, with Entain having confirmed the former’s departure after agreeing with Shannon that it was “time for change”.
In announcing his exit after a two-year spell, the firm said it was “entering a new phase of their development” and named Vouris as the interim CEO.
Having been in the role for a little over a month, Vouris explained what his approach will be moving forward for Entain, which runs the Ladbrokes and Neds brands in Australia and has a sports betting monopoly in New Zealand.
Speaking to head of talent Adam Hamilton in a 60-second, in-house clip, Vouris said employees will be a priority and that he wants the operator to win but “not at all costs”.
His comments come amid the possibility Entain could face civil penalty proceedings based the outcome of an investigation from AUSTRAC into the operator’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist (AML/CFT) funding protocols.
The investigation found Entain “did not have appropriate controls to the confirm the identity of customers” in several cases.
In the press release announcing Vouris’ appointment, Entain made reference to the “completion of the AML/CTF uplift programme” while CEO Stella David said there remained a “commitment to compliance”.
Vouris also said in his introduction video: “My approach with wagering businesses is people first, product and then the profits will come.
“We want to win, I’m here to win, but not at all costs. That’s a big mantra for me so you’ll hear me say that a lot throughout the business as we go on this journey together.
“I’ve met some hugely talented people and what’s great about Entain is they love the product and they want to see us win.
“I want to make sure they feel engaged, they understand where we’re going, but they’ve also got the conviction that if something is wrong they are able to call it out.”
Vouris first joined Entain after the operator snapped up esports betting operator Unikrn in 2018, proceeding to serve as the company’s esports COO. He left that role in March 2024.
Prior to his move to Unikrn, Vouris spent a little under 10 years at Tabcorp, from July 2008 to February 2018.
Shannon’s departure from Entain Australia and New Zealand last month came after deputy CEO and CFO Lachlan Fitt resigned in February, as did Entain New Zealand’s managing director Cameron Rodger.
Their exits followed shortly after group CEO Gavin Issacs left the business, having only been in the role for five months.
The post Entain Australia interim CEO: Success will come but “not at all costs” first appeared on EGR Intel.
Andrew Vouris’ mantra while in charge will be wanting to win, but with a simultaneous commitment to compliance and sustainable growth
The post Entain Australia interim CEO: Success will come but “not at all costs” first appeared on EGR Intel.