The iGaming industry is dominated by male users, but the same can’t be said for those shaping the industry, with women at the helm of some of the biggest players. In strictly financial terms, the iGaming industry is a global success story, and it’s one that continues to produce consistent revenue, even in uncertain economic times. Behind the biggest brands are some canny and driven women who have built up thriving concerns from scratch.
Those companies have gone on to produce significant profits in the sector, and are among those that dominate iGaming. Among those founders and CEOs are some of exceptional female leaders.
Driving Forward
Women continue to make their mark in different industries, so why should iGaming be any different? Maybe there is a perception that this is a male-dominated world, and it may be true that most sports bettors and casino players are men. However, a lot of the casino operators feature women in leadership roles. Here are some of the women leading the way in iGaming.
Denise Coates
One of the biggest global sports betting and casino brands originated from humble beginnings. Along with her father Peter, Denise Coates began the operation in a portacabin located in the surroundings of Stoke City Football Club.
The operator quickly grew, and is now considered one of the biggest iGaming brands worldwide. Their success can also be measured by the net worth of the co-chief executive, Denise Coates. At the start of 2024, it was confirmed that Coates was the third highest tax payer in the whole of the UK, and she also ranks highly on the list of Forbes billionaires.
Amy Howe
Since the United States Supreme Court opened up the potential for nationwide sportsbooks and casinos from 2018 onwards, many women have taken advantage. Amy Howe was already in an advanced position, as one of the most important figures within the Daily Fantasy Sports sector.
DFS games were allowed in certain states prior to 2018, and many operators have since opened up a sports betting platform.
After leaving university, Howe began her career as a business analyst, before entering the iGaming sector. She is now the CEO of one of the most recognizable DFS brands, and since the rules were relaxed in 2018, the operator has also made a big impression on sports betting.
Howe plays an active role in the company’s success and she has been named among the most powerful executives in her industry.
Jette Nygaard-Andersen
Jette Nygaard-Andersen landed her role as the CEO of a global gaming company in 2021. The company in question owns some of the biggest and most established names in the sector, some of which have been in place for decades.
Born in Denmark, Nygaard-Andersen graduated from the University of Copenhagen and has since enjoyed multiple roles in different sectors. Along with her extensive work in iGaming, she is also involved with the Danish eSports team Astralis.
Along with many of her female counterparts, Jette Nygaard-Andersen is playing a full and active role in her iGaming business, and is helping the industry retain its solid revenue figures.
Sarah Robertson
There are similarities between the work undertaken by Sarah Robertson and Denise Coates. Both are driving one of the biggest sportsbook and casino operators in the iGaming industry, ensuring that their brands stay at the top of this crowded sector.
The only difference is that Robertson stepped into an operator that was founded back in 1997. She is now the chief executive of a huge gaming group that runs several big names in sportsbook and casino play.
Each of the women on this list has made an exceptional contribution to the iGaming industry. In some cases, they have founded new brands and led them to become significant players in sports betting and casino.
Others have taken on established concerns, and taken them to the next level. There’s more to come from these powerful women, and plenty of room within iGaming for others to come along and join them.