Penn National Gaming appoints Jon Kaplowitz Senior VP of Interactive Gambling

(PENN:Nasdaq) recently announced that its has found a successor for its exiting, Chris Sheffield, and has named Jon Kaplowitz into the job of Senior Vice President of Interactive Gaming.

Based on that the Feb. 4, 2019 news release…

Direction of the Wyomissing-based firm’s Penn Interactive Ventures (PIV) operations will probably be taken over by Kaplowitz, effective February 11, 2019, with the move being subject to customary regulatory approvals. Kaplowitz will report directly to Jay Snowden, President and Chief Operating Officer for the company which recently completed its acquisition of Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City, Louisiana.

PIV duties:

Kaplowitz, who for the previous seven years has held the name of “Managing Director and GM — New Businesses,” for media conglomerate Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA), will oversee the daily operations of advance deposit wagering platform, Hollywoodraces.com; online and mobile social slot games, Hollywoodcasino.com; and mobile casino gaming’s “classic slots” chief, Rocket Games’ Viva Slots Vegas, all of which are a part of PIV’s suite of creative social casino offering.

Based on the information release, the incoming Kaplowitz will also lead the firm’s growing online sports gambling product together with its real cash iGaming chances.

Search procedure :

Explaining the process that the led to the appointment, Snowden stated …

“In searching for Chris Sheffield’s successor, we looked for someone who could not just build upon the successful platform that Chris and his team established, but a person who could take PIV to the next level in terms of developing strategic partnerships with possible iGaming and sports gambling companies, as well as media and content providers. We’re fortunate to have found the ideal fit to direct those efforts in Jon Kaplowitz.

Executive experience:

Before his time with Comcast, where he ‘incubated new business opportunities for the company and led the corporate-wide strategy for those sports gambling and iGaming industries,’ Kaplowitz functioned as Co-Chief Executive Officer for content production network, Massiffy. And before this, was the World Poker Tour’s Managing Director/Head of Business Development.

“Jon’s extensive business development background, operational management expertise and broad understanding of sports gambling and the online and mobile gaming world, make him an perfect addition to the Penn National management group as we near the launch of our online sports wagering operations in West Virginia and real cash iGaming and online sports gambling in Pennsylvania,” said Snowden.

“I want to thank Chris for his successful efforts in directing the evolution of PIV from the early days of operations to an established, lucrative and growing industry for Penn National,” added Snowden.

“well positioned for additional growth“

Also commenting on his appointment, Kaplowitz stated …

“I am excited to join Penn National in some time when the Company’s iGaming and sports gambling opportunities continue to expand new markets. PIV’s platform is well suited for additional growth that will help us better engage with our clients, build loyalty and retention, and serve as a significant channel for new client acquisition.

As of October 15, 2018, Penn National Gaming manages about 1,200 table games, 49,400 gambling machines and 8,800 resort rooms during 40 gambling and racing facilities and video gaming terminal operations in 18 jurisdictions. The company that had a working income of $445 million in 2017, also offers social gambling through its PIV branch.