Dabble Appoints Dave Walker, Former Ladbrokes Australia, as Chief Customer Officer

Dabble has appointed Dave Walker, former product lead at Ladbrokes Australia, as its first Chief Customer Officer (CCO). Walker's appointment was officially announced on Monday, September 28, via LinkedIn, and he will lead the strategy for customer experience and engagement at the Australian operator. His professional profile boasts a strong background in both sports betting and lottery technology.

Background and Previous Experience of Dave Walker

Before joining Dabble, Dave Walker served as group general manager at Jumbo Interactive Limited, a lottery technology provider, since March 2024. This was not his first term at the company; he had previously worked as growth product manager at Jumbo from April 2020 to July 2021, when he moved to Paypa Plane, a payments sector company, taking on roles as head of product and chief operating officer (COO).

From March 2012 to August 2019, Walker held various senior positions at Ladbrokes Australia, owned by Entain. He started as client services manager and progressed to product owner, product manager, and finally, principal product manager. This blend of experience in operations, product, and payments is relevant to the mission he now undertakes at Dabble, focusing on optimizing the customer experience.

Chief Customer Officer: Role and Objectives for Dabble

As chief customer officer, Walker will direct user interaction, retention, and satisfaction strategies within Dabble. In his announcement, Walker positively described his first day in the role, highlighting both the team's welcome and the technology used in the company's internal processes.

"Today was my first day as chief customer officer at Dabble. I was greeted with coffee, an onboarding guide (and a packed agenda of one-on-one meetings) worthy of an award, conversations with extraordinary people, and an app that literally opens doors – goodbye access card. It's safe to say we are off to a strong start. I'm excited to meet the global team and discover what matters most to our people and our clients." — Dave Walker on LinkedIn

The immediate challenge for Walker focuses on deepening customer knowledge and collaborating with teams located outside of Australia, aligning with Dabble's international expansion plans.

Dabble's Expansion: New Licenses and Products

Dabble has taken steps to diversify its markets and product offerings throughout 2024. In January, the company obtained an online casino license for the United Kingdom, seeking to extend its brand beyond the sports betting segment. A month later, in February, Dabble launched its daily fantasy sports (DFS) product in Colorado, raising the number of U.S. states where this modality operates to 31.

These moves accompany the operator's desire to broaden its international presence and respond to various regulated segments, from online casino to sports betting and fantasy sports.

Changes in Dabble's Executive Structure

Walker’s appointment follows the resignation in August of Scott Hutchens — co-founder of Dabble — from the role of chief technology officer (CTO). The company is currently searching for his successor, which involves a broader review of its executive leadership during a period of growth and diversification. Arnold Ash, an executive recruitment firm associated with EGR, advises Dabble and other operators in attracting executive talent for the iGaming sector.

Dabble Facing International Challenges

The strengthening of customer leadership and the active search for technology executives highlight Dabble's interest in accelerating its strategic transformation in regulated gambling markets. The success of Walker's integration, especially given his prior experience at Ladbrokes Australia and Jumbo Interactive Limited, will be key during this new phase, where customer satisfaction and retention are priority objectives.