PENN Entertainment has announced a corporate restructuring that will reshape its Interactive segment, the division responsible for online sports betting and online casino gaming. The reorganisation affects operations across the United States and Canada and takes effect immediately following approval by the company’s board of directors. As part of the changes, PENN has eliminated two senior executive roles and confirmed plans to hire a new chief operating officer for its digital business.
In November 2025, PENN Entertainment ended its billion-dollar online sports betting agreement with ESPN.
Restructuring targets Interactive segment
The restructuring is focused on PENN’s Interactive segment, which includes its online betting and iGaming platforms. The company said the changes are designed to streamline management and improve operational oversight as the digital business continues to evolve.
PENN confirmed that it will continue to review its organisational structure and expects to provide further updates next month. The company has not disclosed whether additional roles may be affected as part of the ongoing evaluation.
Two senior executive roles removed
As part of the reorganisation, PENN eliminated the role of Chief Information Officer. The position was held by Rich Primus, who stepped down after more than 10 years with the company. During his tenure, Primus played a key role in shaping PENN’s technology and digital infrastructure.
The company also removed the position of Vice President of Operations. Todd George, who held the role, left PENN after more than a decade in various senior leadership positions. His previous roles included senior vice president of Midwest regional operations and executive vice president.
George was closely involved in the development and launch of Hollywood Casino Joliet in Illinois. The $185 million entertainment venue, spanning 189,000 square feet, opened in August and marked a major addition to PENN’s land-based portfolio.
PENN chief executive officer Jay Snowden acknowledged the contributions of both executives. He said that Primus and George helped build a strong foundation for the company over the past decade and thanked them for their service.
Search begins for digital COO
Alongside the executive exits, PENN confirmed it is seeking to appoint a chief operating officer for its Interactive division. The new digital COO will oversee the day-to-day operations of the online business.
The role will report to Aaron LaBerge, PENN’s chief technology officer, who joined the company in 2024 after more than 20 years at Disney. LaBerge has been central to PENN’s digital strategy, including leading technology integration efforts linked to ESPN Bet.
Once the new appointment is made, LaBerge will continue to oversee PENN’s technology teams and will also take on responsibility for managing enterprise IT functions across the business. PENN said this structure will allow clearer separation between operational management and technology leadership within the Interactive segment.
Board faces continued scrutiny
The restructuring comes amid ongoing scrutiny of PENN’s board and strategic decisions from activist investor HG Vora. The investor has raised concerns about PENN’s financial performance and its nearly $2 billion investment to launch ESPN Bet in 2024.
HG Vora shared a detailed investor presentation online that criticised the company’s management and governance. The firm also challenged how PENN handled board elections, leading to a lawsuit filed in Pennsylvania.
The lawsuit claimed that PENN removed one of three board seats scheduled for election without properly notifying shareholders, which HG Vora said breached legal and regulatory requirements. The investor requested representation on the board to help improve long-term shareholder value.
PENN later elected two new board members and reduced the total number of board seats from nine to eight. In response to the claims, PENN formed a special litigation committee and appointed Dilworth Paxson LLP to conduct an independent review.
Following interviews and document reviews, the committee concluded that PENN acted in good faith and in the best interests of the company. It also determined that pursuing HG Vora’s claims would not benefit the business.
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