Sam Swanell co-founded PointsBet in 2015 and ran it as Group CEO for nearly 10 years. He took the Australian sportsbook into 14 US states, then sold that arm to Fanatics in a $225 million deal. He gave up the CEO job in February 2026 but kept his board seat.
Who Is Sam Swanell?
Sam Swanell is an Australian wagering executive and one of three PointsBet co-founders, alongside brothers Andrew and Nick Fahey. The company was founded in March 2015. Swanell took charge as Group CEO in July 2016, a role that also made him Managing Director.
He began in financial services as a manager at Macquarie Bank. He also earned a Bachelor of Commerce at Monash University.
Sam Swanell’s Career Before PointsBet
Before PointsBet, Sam Swanell helped grow two Australian betting brands.
First, he spent three years leading national sales at TOTE Tasmania. Every sales channel reported to him, including betting shops and pub agencies. On his watch, both EBITDA (a measure of operating profit) and turnover climbed 200%.
After that, he became the first employee and Chief Operations Officer of TomWaterhouse.com, which launched in 2010. He ran its operations for four years, and William Hill bought the brand in 2013. Later, he consulted for wagering, poker and online casino firms in Europe and North America.
| Year | Milestone |
| 2010–2014 | Chief Operations Officer, TomWaterhouse.com |
| 2015 | Co-founds PointsBet in March |
| 2016 | Takes over as Group CEO in July |
| 2019 | PointsBet launches in New Jersey and lists on the ASX |
| 2023 | Signs a $225 million deal handing the US business to Fanatics |
| 2025 | MIXI takes a 66.4% controlling stake in PointsBet |
| 2026 | Steps down as Group CEO and stays on the board |
How Sam Swanell Took PointsBet Into the US
Sam Swanell made the US his biggest bet after the Supreme Court overturned PASPA in May 2018. That 1992 federal ban had kept sports betting out of most states. Its repeal let each state set its own US gambling laws.
PointsBet took its first US bets in January 2019, opening in New Jersey through a Meadowlands Racetrack partnership. In August 2020, it signed a media deal with NBCUniversal, and NBC took an equity stake.
It also added online casino games in Michigan and New Jersey, rivaling other real money online casinos. In 2021, PointsBet picked up Banach Technology, an Irish tech company focused on live in-play betting. In-play betting lets you bet while a game is still live.
By 2023, PointsBet ran sportsbooks in 14 states, which our state-by-state casino guide covers. Its signature product was PointsBetting, where you win or lose more the further the result lands from the line. Because you can lose more than your stake, set deposit and loss limits before you try any bet like this.
Why PointsBet Sold Its US Business to Fanatics
In 2023, the US business was losing money, so Sam Swanell agreed to sell it. Fanatics opened the bidding at $150 million in May. Within weeks, the company behind DraftKings Sportsbook countered with a $195 million bid that wasn’t binding.
In response, Fanatics lifted its price to $225 million. Shareholders then backed the deal with 99.16% of the votes cast.
| Bidder | Offer | Result |
| Fanatics (May 2023) | $150 million | Replaced by a higher offer |
| DraftKings (June 2023) | $195 million, non-binding | Lapsed |
| Fanatics (final) | $225 million | Approved and completed |
The deal closed in stages and wrapped up on April 4, 2024. As a result, PointsBet accounts in the US moved over to Fanatics Sportsbook. Fanatics Betting and Gaming CEO Matt King said the purchase sped up his company’s expansion plans.
However, the terms also kept PointsBet from returning to US betting for 18 months.
Why Sam Swanell Stepped Down as CEO in 2026
Tokyo-based tech company MIXI won majority control of PointsBet in September 2025. Its takeover gave it 66.4% of the shares at AU$1.25 each.
Three months later, the board picked Andrew Catterall, who ran PointsBet Australia, as the next Group CEO.
Even so, Sam Swanell stayed on. He kept his board seat as Executive Director. He now guides the new CEO on deals and new markets.
The Bottom Line
In short, Sam Swanell grew PointsBet from a 2015 startup into a sportsbook that reached 14 US states. The US push lost money, yet his exit price beat the first offer by $75 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sam Swanell still at PointsBet?
Yes, but he is no longer CEO. Swanell handed the Group CEO role to Andrew Catterall on February 1, 2026. His title is now Executive Director, so he keeps a board seat and advises management. At the August 2026 AGM, the board said his industry experience adds value to its governance.
What did Fanatics get in the PointsBet deal?
Fanatics got PointsBet’s US operations, its state licenses, and the Banach Technology in-play unit. It also gained the right to run its own copy of PointsBet’s betting software. Over 200 staff switched too. During the handover, each state briefly ran the brand as “PointsBet, a Fanatics experience.”
Who is PointsBet’s CEO now?
Andrew Catterall has been PointsBet’s Group CEO since February 1, 2026. He joined in July 2022 to run PointsBet Australia. Before that, he led Racing.com, a racing media company co-owned by Seven West Media and Victoria’s thoroughbred racing body. Unlike Swanell, Catterall did not join the PointsBet board.
Is PointsBet listed on the stock market?
Yes. PointsBet Holdings trades on the ASX, Australia’s main stock exchange, under the ticker PBH. Its shares first traded on June 12, 2019. The float priced them at AU$2 each and raised AU$75 million. Since the MIXI takeover, its financial year ends on March 31 to match MIXI.
Where does PointsBet operate today?
Today, PointsBet’s only markets are Australia and Canada. In its nine-month 2026 financial period, the group earned AU$186.6 million in revenue. Australia brought in AU$152 million, while Canada’s revenue rose 13%, reaching AU$34.6 million. In Canada, PointsBet offers sports betting and online casino games in Ontario.
