Former Wynn Las Vegas Sportsbook Head Honcho John Avello Departs to Fantasy Sports Company, DraftKings: Talks His Move, Fantasy Sports, the Future, More
Earlier this month, then Wynn Las Vegas sportsbook manager John Avello departed from his position as book supremo on the Vegas Strip, after a 13 year run. A frequent CYInterview guest, he has taken a position at the daily fantasy sports company DraftKings. The online operation is getting involved in the sports betting market, after a recent United States Supreme Court ruling. The company already has mobile sports betting in the state of New Jersey.
According to the veteran oddsmaker, the long term plans of DraftKings are to have land based sports betting operations in states legalizing the activity. In his new position, Mr. Avello will be dealing with the oversight of retail sportsbook trading and risk management, among other responsibilities. He will be working with Frank Kunovic, the former sportsbook manager from Caesars Palace, who has also signed on to be part of this new venture.
Mr. Avello told us that leaving Wynn Las Vegas was a tough decision. Though Draft Kings is based in Boston, John will continue to live in Las Vegas, telling us Draft Kings will have an operation here:
“John Avello’s gonna be in Las Vegas full time Chris. Yeah. We’re gonna run the operation here from the Las Vegas area. You know, there will be some traveling from me from time to time, going out to new places during openings and maybe a trip now and then back to Boston, but I’m based in Las Vegas.”
It is no doubt an interesting time for the sports betting industry, with a couple of states, besides Nevada, already allowing wagering on events. To hear more about John Avello’s new job with DraftKings, you can listen to the entire CYInterview below:
Listen to the entire John Avello CYInterview:
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