The Sports Betting Alliance on Thursday announced Joe Maloney will serve as the organization’s President and CEO, and SBA President Jeremy Kudon will become Chairman, leading the organization and overseeing legislative efforts across the country.
Maloney has more than two decades of experience in sports, gaming, and technology. He joins the SBA after serving as Senior Vice {resident of Strategic Communications at the American Gaming Association, 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,” Kudon said in a statement. “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.”
Maloney will oversee the SBA’s advocacy, industry-wide communications, strategy development, and strategic partnerships to foster collaborations 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 eight years, will will now oversee SBA’s national strategy and legislative efforts across all 50 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.”
At the AGA, Maloney spearheaded the launch and expansion of the industry’s newest responsible gaming platform, Play Smart from the Start, that established a new standard for transparency and public awareness in legal gaming.
Before working at the AGA, Maloney served as Vice President of Public Affairs for 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.
Maloney has advised trade associations and corporations across the technology, gaming, and hospitality sectors while a partner at Locust Street Group.
Kudon is 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 more than 50% of the U.S. population. He twice has been 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 that anticipated online sports betting and igaming.
A partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, Kudon is the founder of the firm’s public policy practice.
