Entain names Stella David as CEO, reports strong Q1, NGR up 9%
Sports betting and gaming group Entain Plc has appointed Stella David as its permanent Chief Executive Officer, alongside reporting strong first-quarter results for 2025. The London Stock Exchange-listed company’s shares rose by as much as 7.6 percent in early trading on 29 April, driven by a 9 percent year-on-year increase in Group Net Gaming Revenue (NGR).
David had served as interim CEO since late 2024 and replaces Gavin Isaacs, who held the role briefly. Her appointment is effective immediately.
Q1 growth driven by online and key markets
Entain’s Group , with online operations driving much of the growth. Including its 50 percent share in US joint venture BetMGM, online NGR rose 12 percent year-on-year, or 15 percent on a constant currency basis.
Excluding the US, online NGR still rose 6 percent, or 10 percent in constant currency, exceeding internal forecasts. The company attributed this to higher volumes in the UK and favourable outcomes in sports betting.
UK and Ireland online revenue saw a 23 percent rise in constant currency, while Brazil delivered 31 percent growth under its newly regulated iGaming framework.
Retail operations reported modest growth, up 2 percent overall. Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) markets performed strongly, with NGR up 11 percent and online growth in the region reaching 13 percent, led by Croatia.
However, Australian operations declined 8 percent in constant currency, impacted by customer-friendly sports results.
Stella David, CEO of Entain, said, “We have made a strong start to 2025. Our improving operational execution saw us exit 2024 with clear momentum which has continued in Q1. Entain has a clear and compelling strategy with today’s results further evidence of its delivery. We are in the early stages of our journey of improvement and are driving ahead at pace.”
BetMGM delivers record revenue
BetMGM posted 34 percent growth in constant currency, recording its highest-ever quarterly iGaming and online sports revenues. The venture generated $22 million in EBITDA. Entain reaffirmed its full-year forecast for BetMGM to remain EBITDA-positive and achieve between $2.4 billion and $2.5 billion in revenue for FY2025.
Strategic focus and financial strength
Entain reiterated its confidence in delivering more than £500 million in pre-dividend annual cash generation over the medium term. Management credited operational efficiency and the company’s position in regulated, high-growth markets as key drivers.
“Entain’s portfolio of podium positions in attractive and regulated growth markets underpins the structural growth embedded in our business. We are confident that our current momentum and underlying growth will deliver quality and sustainable earnings with a clear pathway to generating over £0.5 billion of annual cashflow in the medium term,” David said.
CEO’s appointment
Stella David became a member of Entain’s board in 2021 and stepped in as interim CEO in 2024, following Gavin Isaacs. Isaacs had assumed the CEO position the previous year but served for less than six months.
Pierre Bouchut, Interim Chair of Entain, said that the board is delighted upon .
“Stella has played a pivotal role in shaping, implementing and executing the ongoing delivery of Entain’s strategy to drive value for our shareholders. She is highly regarded by our stakeholders, and her appointment provides consistency and stability as the business pursues its many growth opportunities,” Bouchut said.
“I am hugely excited to be leading the business going forward as Entain’s CEO as we accelerate our journey of improvement,” said David. “Entain is a great business with significant potential and I am confident in its ability to deliver further success in the future.”
