New Bally’s CEO Says It Will Be First to Have Equal Focus on Retail and Online, Discusses RI
GoLocalProv Business Team
New Bally’s CEO Says It Will Be First to Have Equal Focus on Retail and Online, Discusses RI
In an interview with GoLocal, Bally’s new CEO outlines the implications of the deal and the impact on Rhode Island.
Bally’s owns Twin River in Lincoln and Tiverton and is in the process of rebranding the facilities to the casino's global name.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOn Monday, Bally’s announced its merger with Gamesys Group plc, a UK-based, global, online gaming operator has been finalized. As a result of the deal, Bally’s says the transaction transforms Bally's into a “premier, global, data-driven omni-channel gaming company.”
About the deal, Soo Kim, Chairman of Bally's Board of Directors, said, "Bally's acquisition of Gamesys transforms our company into the premier omni-channel gaming company. We welcome the 1,800 members of the Gamesys team to the Bally's family, and we welcome your strong technology capabilities and your proven international business acumen. We cannot wait to see what we are able to accomplish together in the US and beyond."
Fenton said on Tuesday, “The latest move, the deal as we've brought the two companies together, means that Bally’s will effectively be the first company in the U.S. to have both retail and online at the same scale… there's other ones all online or mostly retail but we're going to have online and retail at the same scale and I think that creates something of a different dynamic within the business.”
The Strategic Role of Rhode Island
Fenton is an important part of the company’s strategy and he hopes to grow the online business.
“I think from our perspective, [Rhode Island] is super key. it's a huge part of our retail revenues and our retail footprint. We'll obviously like to do more on the online side, and that's down to where legislators get here, as well in terms of what we can make available,” said Fenton.
In September, casino officials were joined by politicians and labor leaders to announce the casino's new name, "Bally's Twin River Lincoln Resort." In October 2020, Twin River Worldwide Holdings had purchased the iconic Bally’s brand previously owned by Caesars Entertainment.
Fenton cited that Bally’s today employs 1,800 in Rhode Island — making it one of the largest private employers in the state.
He also stated that the company is aggressively moving forward with the $100 million investment in Rhode Island that the company committed to as part of state’s lottery extension agreement with Bally’s and IGT.
On the underperformance of the state’s online gaming app, Fenton begged off the question, citing he was unaware of the details it was only his second day as CEO for the company.
Fenton, a Brit, has deep experience in technology and gaming.
He initially joined Gamesys in November 2008 as Chief Operating Officer.
Before that, he was Chief Operating Officer of the mobile division at 20th Century Fox and prior, Global Director of Consumer Products & Content at Vodafone Group plc. He brings a deep experience working with global brands and managing operations across multiple markets.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Fenton is not related to GoLocal's CEO and co-founder Josh Fenton