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McCrystle appointed new Gambling.com Group CEO, as Gillespie changes role in restructure

A major restructure in senior management was marked today, with the CEO and Co-Founder stepping aside to Executive Chairman of the Board.

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Key Points
Gillespie’s 20-year tenure as CEO of Gambling.com was crucial for early development of the company
McCrystle appointed new CEO
Gambling.com Group among one of the first publicly traded online gambling affiliates in the US

Gambling.com Group COO and Co-Founder Kevin McCrystle will succeed Charlies Gillespie as CEO. The appointments will be effective from mid-May 2026.  

The affiliate, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, has grown rapidly since Gillespie’s involvement.  

Michael Quartieri, Lead Independent Director of Gambling.com Group, said: “Quite simply, his vision, accomplishments and 20-year tenure as CEO of Gambling.com Group make him one of the longest-serving and most successful CEOs in the history of the online gambling industry."   

In 2025, Gambling.com reported an annual revenue of $165.5m, with expected revenue for 2026 to reach between $170m and $180m.  

“Since the Company’s inception, Kevin and Charles have worked in lockstep on the execution of all of its key initiatives,” Quartieri added.  

“I have spent my entire adult life building Gambling.com Group with Kevin, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him as we move into the next phase of the Company’s growth,” said the new Executive Chairman, Charles Gillespie.  

CEO since 2006, Gillespie added: “As we continue to grow our sports data services business, reinvent our marketing business and embrace an AI-led future, now is the right time to refresh our leadership team and give our most talented leader the full reins to drive all parts of the business.” 

Serving as COO since 2007, McCrystle remarked: “I am honoured by the trust the Board has shown me and excited by the many opportunities we are executing on to grow Gambling.com Group in the years ahead.”  

McCrystle and Gillespie will jointly host the Company’s 2026 first quarter conference call, which is currently expected to take place in mid-May 2026. 

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Gambling.com Group acquired OpticOdds in 2025

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