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Billy Turchin, former SVP of Product at FanDuel, has ed PENN Entertainment as its new Chief Product Officer. PENN is surely hoping that Turchin’s success at leading FanDuel to challenge for market leadership in the iGaming space will transfer to its own Hollywood Casino brand.
Turchin shared the news of his new role on LinkedIn:
In this role I’ll be leading the product strategy for digital experiences across our online gaming brands, including ESPN BET, Hollywood Casino, theScore, theScore Bet and more.
“Along with cutting-edge digital products, PENN Entertainment features the largest and most diverse gaming footprint in North America, operating 43+ casino and racetrack properties under well-known brands including Hollywood, Ameristar, L’Auberge, M, and more. The expansive online and physical footprint allows PENN to deliver unparalleled omnichannel entertainment experiences,” he added.
“I’m thrilled to be part of shaping what comes next and grateful for the opportunity to be a disrupter in this rapidly evolving industry.”
From FanDuel to PENN: Turchin’s next big test
Turchin’s most recent career milestone can be traced back to his role as a Chief Product Officer for Honeywell’s Connected Buildings from June 2020 to September 2021. He later took on the role of SVP of Product at FanDuel from September 2021 to April 2025.
Hence, with Turchin at the helm, Penn is betting big on its digital future. His role will include everything from player management to analytics and compliance, but the real challenge lies in driving a digital transformation.
Given PENN’s disparate digital assets, which are a far cry from the integrated platform he’s familiar with at FanDuel that thrives in fantasy sports and online casino offerings, he won’t be able to replicate his FanDuel strategy entirely. Instead, he’ll need to craft a bespoke approach that addresses the company’s specific needs and opportunities.
High stakes for Penn’s new appointee
Turchin is left to fill big shoes as Penn has been battling with some hurdle that concerns misappropriation of funds, which has caused investors to raise an uproar. Key issues include a 12.1% year-over-year decline in share price and a digital strategy that hasn’t delivered expected results.
The road ahead won’t be easy, especially with key investor HG Vora Capital reducing its stake to 4.8%, a sign of lingering doubts about the company’s direction.
Not to mention, Penn CEO Jay Snowden itted in February that ESPN Bet’s results fell short of expectations. He warned that if improvements don’t materialize, ESPN can terminate the deal as early as summer 2026.
Now, Turchin task will include turning around ESPN Bet too. After investing $1.5 billion in a decade-long partnership with ESPN, the company hopes to achieve breakeven in its interactive division this year.
While ESPN Bet is struggling, the standalone Hollywood Casino app has shown promise for potentially turning around PENNs iGaming fortunes. No matter how that plays out, the fate of the company now lies in the works of Turchin and other company heads. With a $2 billion licensing deal at stake, investors will be steadily watching Turchin’s efforts to revive ESPN Bet’s fortunes.
