Dabble Names Dave Walker Chief Customer Officer Amid Expansion Push

Dabble has appointed Dave Walker—formerly of Ladbrokes Australia and Jumbo Interactive Limited—as its first chief customer officer (CCO). Walker joins the Australian betting and gaming operator at a time when the company is expanding both product lines and international reach, with his responsibilities centred on customer engagement and experience across its markets.

Dave Walker’s Appointment: Background and Industry Experience

Dabble confirmed the appointment of Dave Walker as chief customer officer on 28 September. Walker brings extensive experience, having most recently served for two and a half years as group general manager at lottery supplier Jumbo Interactive Limited. His time at Jumbo included two periods: first as growth product manager from April 2020, and then returning in March 2024 after a stint with payments firm Paypa Plane. At Paypa Plane, Walker was head of product and later served as chief operating officer.

Prior to his time at Jumbo and Paypa Plane, Walker spent over seven years at Ladbrokes Australia, part of the Entain Group. He originally joined Ladbrokes as client services manager in March 2012. Over the following years, his roles grew to include product owner, product manager, and ultimately principal product manager, giving him a foundation in both operations and customer-focused product development for betting. Dabble’s leadership team signalled that Walker's appointment is designed to reinforce the operator’s ambitions to strengthen customer experience, citing his proven track record in managing growth and engagement-driven products.

Chief Customer Officer Role Focuses on Engagement and Experience

Walker becomes the first person to serve as chief customer officer at Dabble, a move reflecting the company’s pivot to prioritise customer-centric strategies as it moves into new verticals. In a statement shared on LinkedIn, Walker wrote:

"Today was my first day as chief customer officer at Dabble. I’ve been welcomed with coffee, an onboarding guide (and a calendar full of 1:1s) worthy of an award, conversations with some outstanding people and an app that literally opens doors – goodbye swipe card. Safe to say we're off to a cracking start. Looking forward to getting to know the global team and finding out what matters most to our people and customers." — Dave Walker

Dabble’s decision to create the role comes amid significant growth, including new market entries and products. Walker’s remit will cover building engagement initiatives and refining customer journeys across regulated markets, targeting increased retention and satisfaction. His experience across sports betting, payment technologies, and lottery platforms aligns with Dabble’s cross-vertical ambitions.

Dabble’s Recent Expansion and Leadership Changes

The appointment of a chief customer officer follows other strategic moves for Dabble. In August, co-founder Scott Hutchens stepped down from his role as chief technology officer, and the search for a successor is ongoing. Early in 2026, Dabble secured an online casino licence from UK regulators, signalling expansion beyond its existing sports betting offering. This initiative complements its continued rollout of daily fantasy sports (DFS) in the United States; February saw Dabble go live with DFS in Colorado, bringing its US presence to 31 states.

The leadership realignment appears timed to support multi-jurisdictional growth, with Walker positioned as a bridge between product, marketing, and operations as Dabble adapts to regulatory and customer demands in new and established markets.

Dabble’s Market and Regulatory Moves in 2026

Dabble, a privately owned Australian operator, continues to broaden its international footprint. The company’s acquisition of a UK online casino licence in January 2026 marks a significant step toward diversification. This regulatory approval opens the door to new revenue streams and increases Dabble’s competitiveness in mature online gaming jurisdictions. The Colorado expansion in the same year extended Dabble’s reach to a total of 31 US states, cementing its status among licensed DFS and sports betting operators in North America.

Executive Search and Industry Talent

Dabble’s focus on senior talent acquisition highlights the ongoing competition for experienced executives across the sector. Recruitment firm Arnold Ash, named as EGR’s executive recruitment partner, signals the value operators are placing on leadership with proven international track records in product, technology, and customer experience management.

The addition of Walker, with his diverse product and operations background from both Ladbrokes Australia and Jumbo Interactive Limited, positions Dabble to drive further engagement and adapt to the complexities of evolving gaming markets. As the operator continues its search for a new CTO and pushes into new regulated markets, customer experience under Walker’s leadership is set to play a central role.