Johnson takes on the CEO role having worked with Light & Wonder since April 2017. He was most recently senior vice president and international managing director for EMEA, ASIA and ANZ.
Prior to this, he was senior vice president and managing director for the EMEA region.
Earlier in his time at Light & Wonder, Johnson had a spell as interim managing director in the UK for the group’s gaming segment. He also spent time as group commercial director for this area of the business.
Johnson has only ever worked for Light & Wonder in the gambling sector. Before joining the industry, he worked in various senior roles across investment banking, telecommunications, private equity and financial technology.
As igaming CEO, Johnson will report directly into Light & Wonder president and CEO Matt Wilson. He will also now join the group’s executive leadership team.
“Simon has been with Light & Wonder since 2017; he has been instrumental in driving the international commercial efforts,” the group said.
Writing on LinkedIn, Johnson added: “As we embark on a new year, I am energised by the opportunities ahead. I am eager to work with our incredibly talented igaming team across the world.”
Continued momentum for igaming at Light & Wonder
Johnson’s appointment comes off the back of yet another successful quarter for the Light & Wonder igaming segment.
In Q3, revenue from igaming increased by 5.7% year-on-year to $74 million (£60 million/€72 million). This, the group said, reflected continued momentum in North America and Europe, as well as new content launches. Player spending on igaming during Q3 hit $22.8 billion.
As for the wider business, revenue was $817 million, a rise of 11.8%. Net profit took a 14.7% hit down to $64 million amid higher cost, but consolidated adjusted EBITDA jumped 11.5% to $319 million.
For the year-to-date, revenue in the three-quarter period was 12.1% higher at $2.39 billion. Bottom-line net profit at Light & Wonder hit $228 million, up 137.5%, while consolidated adjusted EBITDA grew 13.6% to $926 million.
Such was the success of Q3, and indeed year-to-date, that Light & Wonder recommitted to its 2025 consolidated adjusted EBITDA target of $1.4 billion.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/people/people-moves/light-wonder-simon-johnson-ceo-igaming/
