Fanatics Appoints Alex Smith as Chief Legal Officer

Fanatics Betting and Gaming has appointed Alex Smith as Chief Legal Officer, placing him in charge of the company’s legal, regulatory and compliance strategy across its iGaming and sports betting operations.

Smith, who joined the business in 2021 as Vice President of Legal and Regulatory Compliance, will report directly to CEO Matt King and take a seat on the executive leadership team. In his new role, he will oversee legal, compliance, regulatory and government affairs functions as the company continues to expand across regulated US markets.

Alongside this promotion, the company has also named Sara Tait as Senior Vice President and Head of Legal and Regulated Industries. Reporting to Smith, Tait will manage legal matters linked to regulated gaming products, including iGaming and sports betting, while also handling relationships with federal and state regulators.

Her responsibilities will include supporting compliance requirements, maintaining licences across jurisdictions and contributing to government affairs initiatives. She will also play a role in consumer protection measures as part of the company’s wider compliance framework.

Fanatics Betting and Gaming has been growing its presence in the US through a state-by-state expansion strategy, operating within a regulatory environment that requires strict licensing and ongoing compliance at both federal and state levels.

The appointments reflect a broader trend across the iGaming and sports betting sectors, where operators are strengthening legal and compliance teams to support expansion in regulated markets.

Matt King said Smith has been instrumental in building the company’s legal and regulatory structure, enabling the business to launch products efficiently across sports betting, iCasino and prediction markets. He added that Smith is well positioned to lead these functions as the company continues to scale.

Smith also commented on Tait’s appointment, noting her experience as both a regulator and a private sector professional. He highlighted the importance of her expertise in navigating the evolving legal and regulatory landscape as the company continues its growth.