Shay Segev has given notice of his intention to leave global gaming and sports betting group Entain to become co-CEO of international sports streaming platform DAZN.

Segev, who only took up the CEO role in July 2020 as Kenny Alexander stepped down after a 13-year tenure, asserts that the decision has not been influenced by recent interest in the group by MGM Resorts International.

Stating that he fully supports the board in rejecting the proposal, the company adds “that this changes nothing with respect to the board’s view of the recent proposal,” and that it remains “unanimous in our view that the proposal significantly undervalues the company and its prospects”.

MGM last week confirmed a proposed offer of 0.6 shares for each Entain share, which, based on closing prices on December 31, 2020, represented a value of 1,383 pence per Entain share and a premium of 22 per cent to Entain’s share price.

Segev commented: “I will be sad to leave the company after five years but I have been offered a role which offers me a very different type of opportunity. Entain is in great shape after the successful launch of our new strategy. 

“I also want to emphasise that the recent interest from MGM Resorts has had absolutely no bearing on my decision, and I fully support the board’s decision to reject their proposal. 

“Entain has a great team of leaders and an exciting future ahead through its growth and sustainability strategy, and I will do all I can to continue to support the company.”

Segev has a notice period of six months and will remain in his current role for that period or until another individual is in place. The board, having considered succession issues on a regular basis, has a process well under way to find his successor.

Barry Gibson, chairman of Entain, explained: “We are sorry that Shay has decided to leave us but recognise that we cannot match the rewards that he has been promised.

“Entain has a wealth of talent across its leadership team and the business has never been stronger. The company has delivered 20 quarters of double-digit online growth, and our future prospects have been substantially enhanced by our new strategy, which we set out in November. 

“We have built a truly global business which is entirely based on our own technology and offers our best-in-class entertainment services in more than 20 nationally-licensed countries.

“I can confirm that this changes nothing with respect to the board’s view of the recent proposal from MGM Resorts International to acquire Entain. The board remains unanimous in our view that the proposal significantly undervalues the company and its prospects.”