It’s been about five years since legal sports betting began sweeping the US following a Supreme Court ruling that paved the way for its expansion.
So far, 38 states and Washington, DC, have embraced legal sports betting, generating millions of dollars in revenue and jobs for the economy.
But the industry’s rapid expansion has also shone a spotlight on gambling’s less appealing aspects, like betting scandals in sports or unsavory advertising practices, pushing the industry to improve player protections and responsible gaming practices.
At the same time, advancements in technology have given rise to new waves in sports gaming, such as pick ’em-style games and peer-to-peer gaming.
As the sports betting and gaming industry evolves and more states legalize gambling, new roles are being created to meet the demands of this rapidly changing landscape.
In this inaugural list, Business Insider is recognizing early- and mid-career staffers who are making their mark on the US sports betting and gaming industry.
These rising stars were recommended by industry experts and vetted by BI’s reporters. To be considered, candidates needed to focus on the US market and demonstrate their impact on their organizations and the industry at large, as well as their leadership skills.
Our first crop of future power players to watch in US sports betting and gaming includes execs from the major sports-betting operators, figures changing the role of media within the betting landscape, and key players within startups. Their work touches on important themes, including responsible gaming, micro betting, audience engagement, product innovation, and more.
Meet BI’s 16 rising stars in sports betting and gaming for 2024, listed in alphabetical order: