- Deakin University
2003-2007 - Harvard Business School
2016-2019
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
During his tenure, Aitken has led PointsBet USA in key North American expansion initiatives that include the company’s US debut in 2019. Since its US launch, PointsBet now operates its sports betting products in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and West Virginia.
It operates online casinos in Michigan, New Jersey and West Virginia.
Aitken has commented: “Placing an emphasis on live betting has become a key objective for operators across the industry in their pursuit to disrupt the sports betting status quo in North America. “Since PointsBet’s launch in the US, we have focused our efforts on elevating our live betting technology. And through our ongoing investment in in-house sports betting technology, and our proprietary trading feeds solution, we have been able to develop the real-time, complex algorithms needed for seamless live betting.”
He has also led the charge in fostering a company culture that encourages diversity and inclusion. In another social media post on International Women’s Day, Aitken emphasised the importance of women serving in key leadership roles.
He said: “At PointsBet, we’re committed to diversity, equity, and the acceleration of women in the sports tech industry. We aim to forge inclusive work cultures where women's careers thrive, and their achievements are celebrated. We know that inclusion is critical to the future success of our industry, and women help make PointsBet stronger.”
EMPLOYMENT
Aitken has served the company for the past four years. During his time at PointsBet, he held the position of COO in Melbourne, Australia in 2018.
In September 2018, Aitken stepped into his current role as PointsBet USA CEO. Prior to joining PointsBet, Aitken worked for William Hill from 2014 to early 2018 and lived in Sydney, Australia. While at William Hill, he held several executive positions, including Head of Risk and Trading & Operations Director.
PRODUCTS LAUNCHED
Under Aitken’s leadership, PointsBet launched multiple sportsbooks throughout the US during the past year, including online sportsbooks in Kansas and Louisiana, as well as a retail sportsbook in Maryland.
The PointsBet sportsbook arrived in Pennsylvania in February. It is the 14th online sports betting app to come to the state. The sportsbook launched through PointsBet’s partnership with Hollywood Casino York.
"We saw a sea of sameness when it came to price, very little promotion and very average user interfaces. We achieved success off the back of an intense US focus, and knowing when to use price or promotion as a lever" Johnny Aitken
Interviews and public speeches
Aitken spoke to Gaming America as part of the US CEO Special in September 2020.
