Topgolf Taps Casino Industry Veteran for Chief Operating Officer

Posted on: July 23, 2024, 03:42h. 

Last updated on: July 23, 2024, 03:42h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Topgolf has announced the appointment of Erin Chamberlin as the golf entertainment leader’s next chief operating officer.

Topgolf Erin Chamberlin Caesars Penn
Former Caesars Entertainment and Penn Entertainment executive Erin Chamberlin is the new chief operating officer of Topgolf. The company is eager to tap into her gaming background to bring more entertainment to the company’s golf driving ranges. (Image: Topgolf)

Chamberlin arrives at Topgolf, the sports entertainment company engaged in operating golf driving ranges featuring electronically tracked balls that provide for an array of games, contests, and skill challenges, from the U.S. gaming industry. Before Topgolf, Chamberlin was the senior vice president of regional operations at Penn Entertainment, a role she held since 2019.

Erin’s extensive background as a leader in one of the most complex and dynamic hospitality categories will be a great benefit to all of us at Topgolf,” said Artie Starrs, Topgolf’s CEO. “We’re fortunate to have found a leader who has the expertise for the role and embraces our brand’s playful spirit as we further strengthen and solidify the unique Topgolf experience we deliver to players.”

Penn is the nation’s largest operator of regional commercial casinos, or gaming venues located outside of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. During her time at Penn, which was known as Penn National Gaming until 2022, Chamberlin helped the company grow considerably with new casinos in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Louisiana.

Casino Veteran

Chamberlin entered the gaming industry about four years after graduating from the University of Virginia and garnering her MBA from Duke University. She climbed the corporate ladder at Caesars Entertainment from a slot director at Caesars Atlantic City to become the company’s regional president of its Mid-Atlantic business.

Her last role with Caesars was running the Horseshoe Baltimore Casino, a regional property that has long struggled for the Las Vegas casino giant. Chamberlin exited Caesars for Penn in September 2019 where just months later the world changed with COVID-19.

Chamberlin now takes her talents to Topgolf where she’s expected to leverage the gaming industry’s ability to keep players entertained and coming back to the golf driving range product. She’s no stranger to the Topgolf concept.

As a Topgolf player myself, I’m beyond excited for the opportunity to bring my gaming entertainment experience into the modern golf space,” Chamberlin said of her new career. “It’s an exciting time to join the brand, and I look forward to working with the accomplished teams responsible for the day-to-day success of our venues and player experience.”

Topgolf counts approximately 100 outdoor ranges around the globe featuring Toptracer technology. The ranges are complemented by “a top-tier food and drink menu,” the company claims.

Topgolf and Gaming

This isn’t the first time the modern golf and gaming industries have become intertwined.

In 2021, Topgolf and BetMGM announced an integrated partnership that led to the two companies collaborating on cross-marketing and promotional incentives.

Topgolf also has “Swing Suite” locations in numerous casinos across the U.S. A few notable casinos offering indoor Topgolf Swing Suites include Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, the Beau Rivage and Golf Strike casinos in Mississippi, Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, and Penn Entertainment’s Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

To increase foot traffic around Horseshoe Baltimore, Caesars in 2021 lured Topgolf to open an outdoor driving range adjacent to its casino. Topgolf Baltimore opened on Oct. 28, 2022, but was listed for sale less than a year later for $59.3 million. ?