Kalshi Appoints Esteemed AGA Leader as Head of Corporate Development

Despite numerous legal challenges, Kalshi has continued its hiring momentum by appointing Sara Slane, an experienced industry veteran, as the new Head of Corporate Development.

Slane is a trailblazer in the sports betting industry. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the American Gaming Association (AGA) before founding her consultancy in 2019. After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), Slane was instrumental in persuading sports leagues and other organizations that sports betting would not compromise their operations, ultimately gaining their support for the federal legalization of sports gambling. Slane's expertise is invaluable to Kalshi at a critical time when the company is contesting regulatory challenges from gambling authorities who aim to halt its operations, claiming jurisdiction over Kalshi. She will work closely with Co-Founder and CEO Tarek Mansour to raise awareness about prediction markets like Kalshi. There is a lot of misinformation out there, Slane cautioned. I’m thrilled to announce my new role as Head of Corporate Development at @Kalshi, Slane shared. After years in the sports industry and establishing a successful consultancy, I thought my days of working for someone else were over. Slane praises Kalshi's achievements and track record, expressing admiration on social media, writing that the company spent over three years collaborating with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission to establish the first fully-regulated prediction market in the country. My perspective changed when I began consulting for Kalshi a few months ago. I've never encountered a company with the same bold vision, exceptional founders, commitment to regulatory compliance, and explosive growth, she stated, underscoring the company's notable achievements.

In an official statement, Mansour commended Slane's impressive track record, describing it as self-evident. He highlighted her achievements in sports betting and gaming, noting her pivotal role in overturning PASPA and demonstrating to leagues and teams how to profit from the new opportunities presented by sports betting. Mansour mentioned that Kalshi aims to expand its sports business by partnering with operators, leagues, and teams, a venture that will undoubtedly benefit from Slane's expertise. However, states like Maryland and Ohio argue that Kalshi's offerings fall under the jurisdiction of state gambling regulators. Kalshi has an extensive history of engaging with regulatory bodies, having challenged the CFTC and successfully launched political prediction markets ahead of the November elections. The company is now similarly confronting regulators in Nevada and New Jersey, which could become critical legal battles.