Khalid Reede Jones named Allwyn North America CEO
Table of contents
- Allwyn has appointed Khalid Reede Jones as CEO of its North American business, effective 6 July.
- Reede Jones joins from the Virginia Lottery, where he served as executive director since April 2024.
- The hire fills the vacancy left by Wayne Pickup, who stepped down from Allwyn North America in November 2025.
Allwyn has named Khalid Reede Jones as chief executive officer of Allwyn North America, the Switzerland-based lottery group announced on 2 June.
He is set to join the company’s Chicago headquarters on 6 July.
Background and role
Before entering public service, Reede Jones spent more than a decade as an attorney specialising in securities litigation and large-scale government investigations. He was appointed executive director of the Virginia Lottery by Governor Glenn Youngkin in April 2024.
Under his leadership, and according to the Virginia Lottery’s own disclosures, the organisation generated more than $901m in profits for K-12 public education in fiscal year 2025, the second-highest total in its 37-year history. He also oversaw the licensing and regulation of Virginia’s commercial casinos and online sports betting during his tenure.
In his new role at Allwyn, Reede Jones will focus on the continued operation of the Illinois Lottery, the company’s technology and games supply business across North America, and the broader expansion of Allwyn’s US lottery footprint.
The position does not extend to PrizePicks, Allwyn’s majority-owned daily fantasy sports operator.
Robert Chátal, CEO of Allwyn, said:
“I’m pleased to share that Khalid Reede Jones will be joining us as CEO of Allwyn North America. Khalid brings a rare mix of regulatory insight, commercial experience and a genuine commitment to responsible growth.
“A digitally minded leader who understands the power of partnerships and innovation — I know his perspective and energy will be hugely valuable to our North American business.”
Illinois Lottery performance
Reede Jones takes the helm of a business that has delivered consistent results for its anchor contract.
According to Illinois Lottery disclosures, the lottery posted $3.76bn in total sales in fiscal year 2025, its second-highest sales year, and $796m in proceeds. The partnership also delivered a record $702m in online sales, with Allwyn North America serving as both operating partner and iLottery provider.
According to figures published by the Illinois Lottery and reported by NASPL Insights, the Illinois Lottery outperformed other US lotteries for year-over-year sales in fiscal year 2025 for the second consecutive year, posting a decline of just 2.6% at a time when comparable lotteries declined by 3% or more.
Filling the vacancy
Wayne Pickup stepped down as Allwyn North America CEO in November 2025, having first joined the business in March 2018. He subsequently took up the role of managing director and CEO at The Lottery Corporation in Australia.
At the time of Pickup’s departure, Chátal confirmed a search for his successor was underway, with the incoming CEO expected to drive further growth for the Illinois Lottery and expand Allwyn’s wider North American operations.
Reede Jones joins at a significant moment for Allwyn’s US ambitions. Beyond the Illinois Lottery, the group completed its $1.53bn acquisition of a majority stake in daily fantasy sports operator PrizePicks in January 2026, significantly expanding its North American presence.
His appointment signals a continued focus on the lottery supply and operations side of the business as Allwyn manages both verticals separately going forward.
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