BetMGM has promoted Jarrod Schwarz to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Schwarz, who previously served as Chief Product Officer (CPO) for nearly five years, will now oversee product, customer operations, technology, and trading functions across the business.
Schwarz has over two decades of experience in digital product development across global brands in e-commerce, sports, and entertainment. Prior to joining BetMGM, he spent seven years at Disney, playing a key role in launching ESPN+, the company’s first direct-to-consumer streaming platform. He also held leadership positions at eBay and served as Vice President of Product at Bloomspot, a tech startup later acquired by JP Morgan Chase.
“Jarrod has been an integral part of our incredible team, building BetMGM into one of the most recognisable and successful brands in sports betting and iGaming,” said Adam Greenblatt, CEO of BetMGM. “He has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of our business. I’m confident that this change will ensure we continue to deliver exceptional products and experiences to our players.”
Schwarz said on his appointment, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to step into this role.” He added, “It’s a privilege to continue the incredible journey we’ve been on at BetMGM, building on our momentum in sports betting and iGaming. Together with our exceptionally talented team, I look forward to pushing the boundaries of innovation and strengthening our position as a market leader.”
Organisational changes to align strategy and growth
In tandem with Schwarz’s promotion, BetMGM has implemented broader structural updates. These include strategy, corporate development, and select business development functions will now fall under the Finance organisation, led by CFO Gary Deutsch. The company also recently established two new verticals, namely iGaming, led by Oliver Bartlett and Sports, led by Raymond Doyle. The company said these changes are designed to streamline planning, enhance collaboration, and better integrate BetMGM’s strategic capabilities across all functions.
Kansas’ second most popular sportsbook
In separate news, BetMGM finally broke through as the Kansas’ second most popular sportsbook in July 2025, leapfrogging FanDuel in total wagers for the first time. This shift in the hierarchy signals the increasingly competitive nature of the market, where fresh success for one operator energises rivals and reshapes customer habits.
July’s numbers kept DraftKings in front in Kansas with $58.6 million in wagers, but the real story was BetMGM. The operator racked up $53.4 million to take second place, pushing FanDuel down to third at $36.9 million. It’s the first time BetMGM has leapfrogged FanDuel in the state, a shift that could signal a new pecking order.
HY results and forecast
BetMGM announced strong first-half financial results, leading the company to boost its full-year revenue forecast to at least $2.7 billion. The company’s US sports betting service posted a 35 percent year-on-year rise in first half revenue on the back of strong demand in online sports betting and its iGaming division. Amid this financial success, Greenblatt spoke openly about underlying frustrations within the gaming sector. His concerns go beyond typical corporate statements and genuinely reflect the worries of regulated operators who strictly follow the rules while competitors appear to exploit regulatory loopholes.
Addressing the sweepstakes casino industry, Greenblatt’s view is clear: “We believe sweeps should be illegal iGaming, and it’s bad for the regulated sector. It’s bad for state revenues. It’s bad for players.” It’s an opinion shared broadly across the industry. The American Gaming Association has been particularly outspoken about this, claiming illegal gambling operators took around $109 billion in bets during 2024, which may have cost the US up to $17.3 billion in lost tax revenue.
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