Global lottery giant Allwyn has added a key figure to its North American puzzle. On Tuesday, the company announced the appointment of Khalid Reede Jones, the executive director of the Virginia Lottery, as the CEO of North America, starting in Chicago on July 6. According to the PASA official website, this former regulator will be responsible for Allwyn's market expansion across North America—including as a partner in the operation of the Illinois Lottery—but not involving the company's daily fantasy sports platform PrizePicks.
20 years of lottery + enforcement + licensing + private equity "Regulatory reputation" becomes a competitive business strength
Jones's resume spans lottery operations, gambling enforcement, license management, and private equity investment, accumulating over 20 years. Allwyn particularly emphasized his "rare combination of business discipline, regulatory reputation, and digital-first thinking"—a person from the regulatory system is even more suitable for conquering the highly compliant US lottery market. Allwyn CEO Robert Chvátal's comment points out the logic of employment: "Khalid brings a rare combination of regulatory insight, business experience, and a sincere commitment to responsible growth—a digital-thinking leader who understands partnerships and the power of innovation." Translated into plain language: A person who understands the rules, is persuasive, and can drive digital transformation is precisely the most scarce talent in the US lottery public-private partnership model.
North American territory: Illinois 10-year franchise + $16 billion PrizePicks What's next
Allwyn's North American layout is accelerating. In 2022, the company secured a 10-year franchise for the Illinois Lottery, and in 2025, it entered the digital sports track by acquiring the daily fantasy sports platform PrizePicks for **$16 billion**—however, Jones's responsibilities do not include the latter. After taking over the UK National Lottery contract in 2024, Allwyn continues to strengthen its executive lineup: hiring industry veteran Kresimir Spajic to lead digital transformation, appointing Katie Harborn as the UK gaming director. Jones's arrival completes the highest command position in the North American sector. In a market driven by government contracts and public-private partnerships, hiring a former regulator to steer the ship, Allwyn is clearly not just recruiting a CEO—but sending a clear signal to lottery commissions across the US: our North American team is led by "one of our own."
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