(AsiaGameHub) –   Global gaming and betting giant Entain announced that Ricky Sandler, the founder of Eminence Capital, has departed from its board. This change follows the termination of Entain’s agreement with the asset management firm.

Sandler Steps Down from the Board

In a regulatory filing, Entain confirmed that Ricky Sandler will step down as a non-executive director, effective May 5, 2026. The company clarified that this date aligns with the termination of its agreement with Eminence Capital.

To provide context, Entain entered into an agreement with Eminence Capital on January 3, 2024. However, Sandler recently announced his decision to shut down Eminence Capital after nearly three decades in business.

In an earlier statement, Sandler explained that operating Eminence has become increasingly challenging due to various market shifts and macroeconomic headwinds. He admitted that the past few years have seen his team fall short of the very high standards it had set for itself.

As a result, Eminence will be returning capital to investors. At the same time, Entain shares held in accounts and funds managed by Eminence Capital will be liquidated in an orderly manner. Sandler emphasized that his priority remains maximizing value realization throughout this process.

For context, as of April 7, 2026, Eminence Capital held 41,425,426 ordinary shares of €0.01 each in the capital of Entain.

Sandler Says It’s Been a Pleasure to Serve Entain

Ricky Sandler commented on his departure from Entain’s board, saying that it has been a pleasure to serve the company.

It has been a pleasure to have served on the Entain board for the last two years. During that time, Entain has undergone significant operational transformation, and the business is well-positioned to deliver ongoing strong growth.

Ricky Sandler

Sandler commended the company’s progress and expressed confidence that it will continue to generate substantial shareholder value.

Pierre Bouchut, chair of Entain, thanked Sandler for his support and invaluable contributions to the gambling company’s business: “Thanks to his [Sandler’s] contributions, the company is in a stronger position and is well equipped to capitalize on the many opportunities in the global sports betting and gaming market.”