Catterall to replace Swanell in key PointsBet executive role

Sam Swanell’s near decade-long tenure as Group chief executive of PointsBet will come to an end in February, with experienced wagering executive Andrew Catterall to step into that role.

Swanell has been the driving force behind PointsBet, helping found the wagering company in 2015 and guide it through a rollercoaster decade which saw the business expand, be publicly listed in 2019, enter and withdraw from the American market and then, more recently, be the subject of a takeover battle between MIXI and betr.

Catterall, who has extensive experience in racing, wagering and sports administration, joined as PointsBet’s Australian CEO in July 2022, and has played an increasingly key role in the operation of the wagering business.

He was previously the CEO of Racing.com, the Victorian thoroughbred industry’s media business, while he also held senior roles at Racing Victoria and the AFL. He also operated a wagering consultancy.

Catterall carries into the role a reputation as a strategic thinker but a straight shooter. He will not be joining the PointsBet board.

An announcement to the ASX confirmed Catterall would succeed Swanell, who will remain in an advisory role and remain on the board after the handover on February 1.

“We are delighted to appoint Andrew Catterall as Group CEO,” board chairman Brett Paton said.

“Andrew has delivered strong performance within our Australian operations and brings extensive industry expertise, strategic capability and leadership qualities that will guide PointsBet into its next phase.”

The ASX announcement confirmed Catterall’s base salary of $675,000 per annum with short-term, long-term and retention incentives built in which would boost his annual remuneration beyond $1 million should those markers be realised.

In many ways, Swanell has been the face of a wagering company which he helped build from scratch to a market capitalisation of over $3 billion when the share price peaked at over $16 a share in early 2021.

As the nature of the business changed and the opportunity in the hyper competitive United States became more difficult, market expectations were tempered.

As it currently stands, PointsBet’s share price is 90 cents with a market cap of just over $300 million. MIXI, a Japanese conglomerate, now controls 66.4 per cent, while rival betr controls 27.7 per cent after a protracted takeover battle throughout 2025.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Sam Swanell for his exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment and deep contribution to PointsBet since founding the company,” Paton said.

“Sam has guided PointsBet through every stage of its development and growth, and his continued involvement in an advisory capacity, as well as his ongoing service on the board, will ensure the business continues to benefit from his insight and experience.”

Swanell’s advisory role, which will run in parallel to his current place on the board, will see him receive $310,000 per annum, plus other incentives.