Allwyn North America CEO Wayne Pickup Resigns to Lead Australian Lottery Giant

A Smooth Transition and a Search for a Successor

Pickup will remain in his role until November 14 to ensure a smooth transition. Allwyn has already begun the search for a new CEO to lead its North American operations, which are anchored by its contract to run the Illinois Lottery.

“The entire Allwyn team thanks Wayne for his leadership and vision, which have helped to put Allwyn North America on the map,” said Robert Chvatal, CEO of the Allwyn Group.

“We have begun the search for Wayne’s successor, who will continue driving growth in the Illinois Lottery and the expansion of our wider North American business over the coming months and years.”

An “Honoured” Appointment

At The Lottery Corporation, Pickup will replace the retiring Sue van der Merwe, who is stepping down after a 35-year career in the lottery industry. The Lottery Corporation was separated from Australian wagering giant Tabcorp in a 2022 demerger.

“I am honoured by the appointment and excited to join The Lottery Corporation at such a pivotal time,” Pickup said. He added that he is proud of his accomplishments at Allwyn, stating, “After eight transformative years, I’m grateful for the trust this organization has placed in me… I’m confident in the strong foundation we’ve built.”

Pickup has been a central figure in Allwyn’s entry into the North American market. He led the company through its rebranding from Camelot Illinois to Allwyn North America after the global lottery giant acquired Camelot from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board in 2023.

At the time of the rebranding, Pickup emphasized the company’s commitment to “serving our customers, engaging players and growing lottery revenue to benefit the communities they serve.” His departure comes at a critical time as Allwyn looks to build on its Illinois foundation and seek new opportunities in the U.S. and Canada.