Shannon’s leadership saw substantial achievements for Entain Australia and New Zealand, particularly in fostering major industry partnerships and bolstering returns to the racing sector.
Under his tenure, Entain’s wagering brands Ladbrokes and Neds became central players in high-profile racing initiatives across all three codes—thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound.
Combined, these codes contributed over $50m through various sponsorship and marketing agreements.
Shannon’s departure follows a broader leadership reshuffle within Entain’s regional operations.
This past February, two other senior executives, deputy CEO and CFO Lachlan Fitt and managing director Cameron Rodger, also exited the company.
These consecutive resignations signal a period of significant transformation within the organisation.
Shannon’s departure to be felt at Entain
Group CEO of Entain, Stella David, praised Shannon’s contributions, noting his instrumental role in integrating Neds and Ladbrokes into Entain’s global portfolio.
She emphasised the development of what Entain considers a “market-leading compliance programme” under Shannon’s stewardship.
David reaffirmed Entain’s commitment to responsible gambling and compliance, positioning these priorities as core to the company’s next phase of growth in Australia.
In response to the announcement, leaders from the Australian racing sector acknowledged Shannon’s influence.Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys remarked that Shannon’s track record in the industry “speaks for itself”.
Aaron Morrison, CEO of Racing Victoria, was also among those recognising Shannon’s impact on the sport’s commercial landscape.
Andrew Vouris steps in
To maintain continuity and leadership stability, Entain has appointed Andrew Vouris as interim CEO for Australia.
Vouris is an experienced executive in the wagering sector, having held key positions at Tabcorp and Entain.
His background includes over 17 years in strategic and operational roles, particularly in navigating regulatory and compliance challenges.
At Tabcorp, Vouris played a pivotal role during a critical period when the company responded to AUSTRAC’s enforcement action in 2017 over anti-money laundering compliance breaches.
His experience in managing high-stakes regulatory issues will be immediately relevant, as Entain Australia is currently facing its own legal proceedings brought by AUSTRAC.
The Australian government’s financial crime watchdog has taken the company to the Federal Court, alleging “serious non-compliance with Australia’s money laundering laws.”
Entain said the search for a permanent CEO is underway.
