Gambling.com CEO Charles Gillespie will leave his position as CEO at the Nasdaq-listed affiliate and step up to become executive chair, it has been announced.
As part of a senior management shift, COO Kevin McCrystle will succeed Gillespie in the top job.
Gillespie and McCrystle co-founded the Dublin-headquartered business, then known as World Sports Network, in 2006.
Gillespie has served as CEO since its inception, while McCrystle took on the COO role in 2007. The company became KAX Media in 2009 before transitioning to Gambling.com Group in 2017.
Gillespie has also served as the company’s chair since May 2024 and McCrystle is also a board member.
The shift will become effective following Gambling.com Group’s 2026 AGM, which is due to be held in mid-May.
The firm has not yet disclosed who replace McCrystle as COO.
Under Gillespie’s leadership, Gambling.com Group has emerged as a significant force in the gambling affiliate and sports data services industry.
Major M&A deals such as the $42.5m paid for XLMedia’s European and Canadian assets, and the $160m acquisition of Odds Holdings, have transformed the business.
Odds Holdings, which encompasses B2B odds data platform OpticOdds and subscription-based odds comparison tool OddsJam, pushed the firm into the sports data business, too.
The company floated on the Nasdaq in 2021, though the shares are down more than 50% since then.
Speaking to EGR for an exclusive Q&A this week, Gillespie noted the data side of the business was “AI-proof” and would be the “growth driver” in 2026.
On the decision to step away as CEO, Gillespie said: “I have spent my entire adult life building Gambling.com Group with Kevin and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him as we move into the next phase of the company’s growth.
“As we continue to grow our sports data services business, reinvent our marketing business and embrace an AI-led future, now is the right time to refresh our leadership team and give our most talented leader the full reins to drive all parts of the business.”
McCrystle added: “I am honoured by the trust the board has shown me and excited by the many opportunities we are executing on to grow Gambling.com Group in the years ahead.
“It has been a great joy working alongside Charles as we jointly transformed our vision into a leading company in the online gambling ecosystem, and I look forward to continuing our close collaboration in our new roles.”
Gambling.com Group’s full-year revenue for 2025 climbed 30% YoY to $165.4m, including record quarterly revenue of $46.2m for Q4. Meanwhile, full-year adjusted EBITDA jumped 19% YoY to $58m.
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The post Gambling.com Group announces reshuffle as CEO shifts to executive chair first appeared on EGR Intel.
Charles Gillespie to step up and be replaced by fellow co-founder Kevin McCrystle, as the affiliate’s long-term boss says it’s the “right time to refresh”
The post Gambling.com Group announces reshuffle as CEO shifts to executive chair first appeared on EGR Intel.