FanDuel Names E. Sequoyah Simermeyer in Partnership Role

FanDuel, the US sportsbook giant, has announced the appointment of E. Sequoyah Simermeyer to the new role of Vice President of Strategic Partnerships.

Simermeyer has nearly 25 years of experience in the gaming industry, where he has acquired a wealth of knowledge and expertise that he will bring to his new position. In his previous role, he served as Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) and was pivotal in shaping and protecting the interests of tribal gaming in North America.

Simermeyer has extensive knowledge of Native American gaming operations in North America, and this follows FanDuel's recent statement that it would support and work with the California state tribes where possible.

Sequoyah Simermeyer has been at the forefront of shaping and safeguarding tribal gaming, focusing on priority issues and public policy for close to 25 years. We are very honored to welcome Chairman Simermeyer to the FanDuel leadership team, as he brings a career dedicated to addressing tribal economic development. With his guidance, we look forward to learning how to best partner with and support native sovereign nations across the country.

Rikki TanenbaumSenior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at FanDuel

Efforts to Legalize Sports Betting in California

This signifies a marked change in approach from FanDuel which is one of the operators trying to launch legalized sports betting in the California gambling market.

FanDuel and other sportsbook operators have tried various methods to induce Native American tribes to partner with them and start regulated sports gaming in the state. The Tribes state they feel these approaches have been divisive and have put up a united front to block these attempts decisively.

Leadership at FanDuel released a statement acknowledging they may have handled attempts to launch sports betting in California poorly but feel they have learned and going forward will offer help and support to tribes to introduce sports betting in the region.

I am joining the private sector for the first time, and it mattered to me to join a team where I could use my background as a former regulator, legislative staffer and public servant to Indian Country. FanDuel is the leader in mobile gaming and has helped shape the rise of the legalized and regulated marketplace in the U.S. Mobile gaming remains a very young and dynamic industry, and I’m excited to help the team build out our capacity to work within Indian Country nationally to take advantage of opportunities ahead.

E. Sequoyah SimermeyerVice President of Strategic Partnerships