Light & Wonder names Matthieu Labbat chief executive of SciPlay
Labbat joins from Product Madness to lead SciPlay’s social casino strategy into 2027.
Key Takeaways
- Light & Wonder appointed Matthieu Labbat as Chief Executive Officer of SciPlay on 5 November 2026.
- Labbat spent over seven and a half years at Product Madness, Aristocrat’s mobile division, and nearly five years at King.
- He succeeds Josh Wilson, whose departure from the segment was announced in September.
- Labbat’s remit includes driving product pipelines, data‑driven player experiences and long‑term commercial growth into 2027.
Light & Wonder appointed Matthieu Labbat as Chief Executive Officer of SciPlay on 5 November 2026. Labbat succeeds Josh Wilson, whose departure from the segment was announced in September, and will lead SciPlay’s product and commercial strategy for social casino and free‑to‑play mobile games.
Appointment and background
Matthieu Labbat joins SciPlay from Product Madness, the mobile gaming division of Aristocrat, where he spent over seven and a half years working on scaling operations and expanding product reach. Before that he worked for nearly five years at King as a game developer and strategist. Light & Wonder named him to the SciPlay role as the publisher seeks to accelerate long‑term commercial growth and expand its global player community heading into 2027. The piece announcing the hire was published on 5 November 2026.
“Matthieu has a proven record of building and scaling mobile gaming businesses, paired with exceptional product vision and a talent for developing teams. That combination makes him the ideal leader for SciPlay as we seek to extend the reach of its brands.”
— Matt Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and President of Light & Wonder
Strategic remit
In his new role Labbat will focus on creating engaging social casino titles and driving strategic expansion for SciPlay. Light & Wonder set out a mandate for stronger product pipelines, data‑driven player experiences and optimising user acquisition frameworks to strengthen recurring revenue and the long‑term value of SciPlay’s flagship social gaming franchises. The publisher positions the appointment as part of a broader content‑centric operating model across land‑based, digital and social verticals.
Transition and timing
Labbat formally takes the reins following the September announcement of Josh Wilson’s departure from the segment. Light & Wonder frames the leadership change as timely for navigating market headwinds and preparing SciPlay for the competitive landscape in 2027.
Market context and positioning
SciPlay is Light & Wonder’s social gaming division and will operate under Labbat’s leadership to expand its global player community. Light & Wonder emphasised Labbat’s combination of scaling expertise, product vision and team development capabilities as the rationale for the hire. Industry commentary in the announcement highlights shifts in player engagement and retention dynamics in social casino and free‑to‑play mobile markets, which the company says Labbat’s background is suited to address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has Light & Wonder appointed as SciPlay CEO and when did the appointment occur?
Light & Wonder appointed Matthieu Labbat as Chief Executive Officer of SciPlay on 5 November 2026. The hire was announced in the company statement published on that date.
Who did Matthieu Labbat work for before joining SciPlay?
Matthieu Labbat spent over seven and a half years with Product Madness, the mobile gaming division of Aristocrat, and worked nearly five years at King as a game developer and strategist.
Who did Labbat replace as head of SciPlay?
Labbat succeeds Josh Wilson, whose departure from the segment was announced in September.
What strategic priorities will Labbat lead at SciPlay?
Labbat will lead efforts to create engaging social casino games, strengthen product pipelines and implement data‑driven player experiences aimed at driving long‑term commercial growth into 2027.
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About the author
Marcus Webb
Industry Deals Correspondent
Marcus Webb covers the deal flow of the gambling industry — operator strategy, M&A, market entries, and product launches from sportsbook rebrands to full platform migrations. The reports name the companies, valuations, and jurisdictions exactly as disclosed and separate the announcement from its market impact. When a group consolidates a brand or a challenger launches into a new state, Marcus Webb explains who gains, who pays, and what closes next quarter.
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