UK-listed gambling technology provider Playtech has reportedly enlisted the help of Sportech’s former CEO to help guide its US market ambitions.

This weekend, the Sunday Times reported that Playtech was preparing to announce that it’s adding Ian Penrose as a non-executive director to the company’s board. The Times further claimed the company was grooming Penrose to take over as Playtech chairman from embattled incumbent Alan Jackson.

Playtech is set to deliver its H1 financial report on Thursday, and will reportedly use the occasion to announce the hiring of Penrose (pictured, in green), a longtime industry veteran who resigned as Sportech’s CEO last year. The Times claimed Penrose was being brought in to “spearhead” Playtech’s desire to enter the US gambling market.

Playtech formerly held a 9.9% stake in Sportech, but sold out in 2013. Prior to that sell-off, Playtech CEO Mor Weizer had touted Sportech’s US-facing online and land-based pari-mutuel betting operations as Playtech’s way of getting its foot in the door of the US market.