The Sports Betting Alliance (SBA) today announced Joe Maloney will serve as the organization’s president and CEO, bringing a proven record of industry leadership, public-affairs expertise, and a deep commitment to responsible and sustainable legal online gaming in the United States. Current SBA President Jeremy Kudon will assume the role of Chairman, leading the organization and overseeing its legislative efforts across the country.
Maloney brings over two decades of experience in sports, gaming, and technology to his new role. He joins the SBA following an impactful tenure as Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications at the American Gaming Association (AGA), where he played a central role in shaping the public narrative around legal, regulated gaming.
“We are thrilled to welcome Joe as President of the Sports Betting Alliance,” said Kudon. “His deep understanding of gaming policy, proven leadership in public affairs, and established relationships make him an ideal leader during this crucial time for our industry.”
As president, Maloney will oversee the SBA’s advocacy, industry-wide communications, strategy development, and strategic partnerships — fostering collaboration among operators, regulators, policymakers, and other stakeholders to maximize integrity, consumer protection, and long-term market health. Kudon, who has served the SBA as president for four years, will lead the organization as chairman and will oversee SBA’s national strategy and legislative efforts across all fifty states.
“I’m honored to step into this role with the Sports Betting Alliance during such a critical moment for the industry,” said Maloney. “Legal, regulated sports betting and iGaming are delivering meaningful consumer protections, enhanced integrity monitoring, and economic benefits to states, bringing activity once confined to the shadows into the light. I look forward to working with stakeholders throughout the country to continue strengthening the industry and ensuring its long-term success.”
During his time at the AGA, Maloney spearheaded the launch and expansion of the industry’s newest responsible gaming platform, Play Smart from the Start, helping to set a new standard for transparency and public awareness in legal gaming. Before his time at the AGA, he served as Vice President of Public Affairs at the Washington Commanders, where he guided the club’s external engagement on major policy and corporate initiatives, including legal sports betting market access and the team’s search for a new stadium site. Earlier in his career, he advised trade associations and corporations across the technology, gaming, and hospitality sectors while a partner at LSG and began his professional journey on Capitol Hill.
Kudon is widely recognized as the architect of national campaigns that led to the legalization of online sports betting in 29 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico—jurisdictions that account for over 50% of the U.S. population. Kudon has been twice named Sports Business Journal Power Player and is a three-time Law360 MVP for Sports Betting & Gaming as well as a Financial Times Innovation Award Winner for Regulatory Campaigns. Prior to sports betting legalization, Kudon helped DraftKings and FanDuel pass laws in 23 states that confirmed the legality of the companies’ paid daily fantasy sports contests and set the table for online sports betting and iGaming. A partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, Kudon is the founder of the Firm’s public policy practice.
About the Sports Betting Alliance
The Sports Betting Alliance is the nation’s foremost advocate for legal and regulated online sports betting and iGaming marketplaces. SBA operators believe that consumers in all 50 states should be able to enjoy transparent and regulated online sports betting and iGaming.
Unlike unregulated and illegal market online betting websites, SBA operators provide consumer and data privacy protections and state-of-the-art responsible gaming tools, in addition to creating significant tax revenue for state priorities. Once a state launches a regulated sports betting or iGaming market, the SBA seeks to ensure these legal online gaming markets are healthy and can sustainably attract customers away from illegal market operators for the long haul.