FanDuel CEO Amy Howe: ‘My whole career has been sliding doors moments’ - Masters of Scale Recap

Podcast: Masters of Scale

Published: 2026-03-12

Duration: 35 min

Guests: Amy Howe

Summary

Amy Howe, CEO of FanDuel, shares her journey from crisis management at Ticketmaster during the pandemic to leading FanDuel through the rapidly evolving sports betting industry. She emphasizes adaptability, responsible leadership, and the importance of building a values-driven organization.

What Happened

Amy Howe recounts her experience leading Ticketmaster during the COVID-19 pandemic, managing the fallout of 54,000 canceled events, and navigating refund demands. She reflects on how this crisis prepared her for ambiguity and complex problem-solving when transitioning to FanDuel during a pivotal moment in the sports betting industry.

Howe explains her decision to join FanDuel as president, drawn by the explosive growth potential of online sports betting. She highlights the company's unique culture, emphasizing its values of humility, teamwork, and integrity, which were critical in her decision to stay and eventually become CEO.

She describes how FanDuel successfully adapted to the evolving legal landscape of sports betting after the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that gave states the authority to legalize it. The company leveraged its existing engaged user base from daily fantasy sports to dominate the competitive market.

Howe discusses FanDuel's focus on responsible gaming and the company's investment of over $100 million annually in tools and education to mitigate risks like gambling addiction. She emphasizes the need to earn trust from customers and stakeholders to build a sustainable business.

She delves into the challenges of legalizing sports betting in California, detailing FanDuel's renewed strategy to collaborate closely with tribal leaders. Howe notes that understanding and respecting tribal concerns about cannibalization of brick-and-mortar casinos is key to reaching an agreement.

On the topic of leadership, Howe credits her background as a competitive athlete and her consulting experience at McKinsey for instilling a sense of discipline, teamwork, and the ability to navigate uncertainty. She also stresses the importance of embracing 'sliding door moments'—unexpected opportunities that can shape a career.

Howe shares insights about the impact of AI on FanDuel, highlighting how tools like Ace AI simplify the betting experience for users and enhance responsible gaming practices. She also underscores the importance of agility in adapting to technological advancements.

Finally, Howe reflects on the growth of women's sports and how FanDuel is working to provide equitable products, partner with female athletes, and engage more women in sports betting. She notes the transformative effect of figures like Caitlin Clark in driving interest and betting activity in women’s sports.

Key Insights

• FanDuel allocates over $100 million annually toward responsible gaming tools and education, making it a frontrunner in addressing gambling addiction. This investment isn’t just altruistic—it’s a calculated move to build trust and ensure long-term customer loyalty in a volatile industry.
• After the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that allowed states to legalize sports betting, FanDuel dominated the market by converting its daily fantasy sports users into sports bettors. Its existing engaged user base became an asset most competitors couldn’t replicate.
• Legalizing sports betting in California hinges on tribal leaders’ concerns about cannibalization of brick-and-mortar casinos. FanDuel’s new strategy involves working directly with tribes to align on shared interests, a shift from its earlier, less collaborative approach.
• FanDuel is betting on the rise of women’s sports by building equitable products and partnering with female athletes like Caitlin Clark. These efforts are aimed at capturing a growing audience of women sports fans and driving engagement in a traditionally male-dominated space.

Key Questions Answered

How did Amy Howe navigate the transition from Ticketmaster to FanDuel?

Amy Howe leveraged her experience managing crises, like the COVID-19 shutdown at Ticketmaster, to tackle the challenges of scaling FanDuel. She embraced ambiguity, built on FanDuel's strong company values, and relied heavily on her team to succeed in the competitive sports betting industry.

What is FanDuel's approach to responsible gaming?

FanDuel invests over $100 million annually in responsible gaming tools and education. The company uses AI-driven models to detect changes in user behavior, enabling real-time check-ins to prevent gambling-related harm. They also verify users’ identities and enforce a 21+ age restriction.

Why is legalizing online sports betting in California challenging?

California's tribes view online sports betting as a potential threat to their brick-and-mortar casino revenue, fearing it could lead to the legalization of iGaming. FanDuel is working closely with tribal leaders to address these concerns and find a collaborative path forward.