Former Entain Chief Gavin Isaacs Takes Advisory Role at GLI

Former Entain chief executive Gavin Isaacs has joined Gaming Laboratories International’s board in an advisory capacity as the testing and certification business pursues its next phase of expansion.

GLI announced the move on 28 September, specifying that his formal appointment remains subject to regulatory review and approval. Isaacs will serve alongside president and chief executive James Maida and representatives of investment firm CVC. The announcement follows CVC’s investment in GLI and associated entities earlier this year.

Appointment Supports GLI’s Growth Plans

Maida said Isaacs’ industry experience would support GLI’s ambitions to expand globally over the coming years.

Isaacs’ career spans public and private businesses. These are across gaming, online gambling, sports betting and lotteries. He has been credited with overseeing strategic mergers and acquisitions worth more than $10 billion.

His previous roles include leadership positions at Scientific Games, Bally Technologies and Aristocrat. He also chaired SBTech before its sale to  DraftKings in 2020. He was inducted into the American Gaming Association’s Hall of Fame in 2022.

“I am excited to join the Board of GLI as it embarks on its next stage of growth.” – Isaacs

GLI’s announcement did not disclose remuneration or equity arrangements connected with the role, or a timetable for the regulatory approval process.

Move Follows Brief Entain Tenure

For those in the UK, Isaacs is best known for his short period leading Entain, the owner of Ladbrokes and Coral.

He took over as chief executive on 2 September 2024. He then stepped down by mutual agreement on 11 February 2025, around five months later.

Entain announced that his departure took immediate effect. Stella David, then the group’s non-executive chair, returned as interim chief executive while the company sought a permanent replacement.

The GLI position draws on Isaacs’ wider experience across suppliers, operators and board roles, placing him within the testing and certification side of the industry.

CVC Backing and UK Testing Links

GLI and CVC announced their strategic partnership in June. The investment came through CVC’s Strategic Opportunities platform, which focuses on longer-term investments.

CVC described itself as GLI’s first external investor and said its backing would provide resources and expertise to strengthen the company’s capabilities and growth prospects. Maida remained chief executive, with the existing leadership team staying in place.

Founded in 1989, GLI provides testing, certification and cybersecurity services to gambling businesses and regulators.

Its work also connects directly with Britain’s regulated market. GLI UK Gaming Limited appears on the Gambling Commission’s list of approved test houses, including approval for remote technical standards, all gaming machine categories, and bingo and casino equipment requirements.

Where the Commission’s testing strategy requires independent testing, licensees must appoint an appropriately approved test house. The appointment therefore concerns a business involved in checking gambling products against technical requirements before they reach players.