New executive appointments aim to support regulatory growth, prediction markets, and responsible gaming across the U.S.
New York, United States, 17 March 2026 – Fanatics Betting and Gaming is strengthening its legal and compliance leadership as the company continues to expand its presence in the fast-growing online sports betting and iCasino industry. The company recently announced key executive appointments designed to support its evolving regulatory landscape and long-term growth strategy.
Alex Smith, who previously served as Vice President of Legal and Regulatory Compliance, has been promoted to the role of Chief Legal Officer. Smith joined Fanatics in 2021 and has played an important role in helping the company enter the regulated online sports betting and online casino markets across the United States.
During his time with the company, Smith helped guide Fanatics through major milestones, including the rollout of its sports betting and casino platforms after acquiring PointsBet USA’s licenses. In his new role as Chief Legal Officer, he will oversee the company’s legal and regulatory functions and will report directly to CEO Matt King.
According to company leadership, Smith’s experience and understanding of the legal framework surrounding sports betting, iGaming, and prediction markets will help Fanatics continue to expand responsibly in regulated markets.
Alongside Smith’s promotion, Fanatics has also brought in a seasoned regulator to strengthen its compliance operations. Sara Tait, the former Executive Director of the Indiana Gaming Commission, has joined the company as Senior Vice President and Head of Legal and Regulated Industries.
Tait spent more than ten years working with the Indiana Gaming Commission, including six years as its executive director. Her experience on both the regulatory and industry sides gives her a unique perspective on compliance, governance, and regulatory collaboration.
In her new position, Tait will report to Smith and will oversee legal support for Fanatics Sportsbook, Fanatics Casino, and the company’s emerging prediction markets platform. She will also focus on building relationships with state and federal regulators, contributing to government affairs strategies, and supporting initiatives related to consumer protection and responsible gaming.
Fanatics Betting and Gaming continues to grow its footprint in the United States. The company currently offers its Sportsbook platform in 23 states and Washington, D.C., while its online casino services operate in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Another area of expansion for the company is prediction markets. Fanatics Markets, the company’s prediction-based platform, allows users to participate in event contracts covering sports, economic trends, cultural events, and other topics. The platform is currently available in 25 states and several U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The company entered the prediction markets space after acquiring Paragon Global Markets, a platform licensed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This move positioned Fanatics among a growing group of gaming companies exploring new digital wagering and prediction-based financial products.
The expansion into prediction markets has also sparked broader industry discussions around regulation and market structure. Fanatics stepped away from the American Gaming Association in late 2025, citing differing views regarding prediction markets. The company remains part of the Sports Betting Alliance, alongside several major operators in the U.S. online betting sector.
Leadership changes have also taken place at the parent company level. Recently, Chief Business Officer Ari Borod announced his departure from Fanatics to take on a new role as President of Sports Business Development at Polymarket.
Industry analysts say Fanatics’ latest leadership appointments reflect the company’s focus on regulatory strength, compliance excellence, and strategic innovation as competition intensifies in the online sports betting, iGaming, and prediction markets landscape.
With the digital gaming sector evolving rapidly and regulatory frameworks continuing to develop, strong legal leadership is becoming increasingly important. Fanatics Betting and Gaming’s latest moves highlight how companies are investing in experienced legal professionals to navigate complex regulations while supporting responsible growth across multiple gaming platforms.
