DraftKings vs MGM Resorts: Founders, CEOs and History
DraftKings was founded in 2012 by Jason Robins, Matthew Kalish, Paul Liberman and is led by Jason Robins. MGM Resorts was founded in 1969 by Kirk Kerkorian and is led by William Hornbuckle.
Company facts
DraftKings
- Founded
- 2012
- Headquarters
- Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Current CEO
- Jason Robins
- Employees
- 5,500
MGM Resorts
- Founded
- 1969
- Headquarters
- Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
- Current CEO
- William Hornbuckle
- Employees
- 78,000
Founders
DraftKings
Jason Robins
Jason Robins is co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of DraftKings. He met Matthew Kalish and Paul Liberman at Vistaprint, launched DraftKings with them in 2012, led it through the 2015 fantasy-sports legal fights, moved it into sports betting afte…
Matthew Kalish
Matthew Kalish co-founded DraftKings in 2012 and later served as President of DraftKings North America.
Paul Liberman
Paul Liberman co-founded DraftKings in 2012; the first version of the product was built in his spare bedroom in Watertown, Massachusetts.
MGM Resorts
Kirk Kerkorian
Kirk Kerkorian was an American investor who opened the International Hotel in Las Vegas in 1969, took control of the MGM film studio the same year, and opened the original MGM Grand in 1973. He later formed MGM Grand Inc.
CEOs and their tenures
DraftKings
- Jason Robins2012–present
Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman
Robins has led DraftKings since 2012, from DFS startup through the 2020 listing to $6.05 billion of 2025 revenue, its first full-year GAAP profit in 2025 and the December 2025 Predictions launch.
Source - Matthew Kalish2012–2026
Co-Founder & President, DraftKings North America
Kalish co-founded DraftKings and served as President of DraftKings North America until March 31, 2026; he remains a director.
Source - Alan Ellingson2025–present
Chief Financial Officer
Ellingson said in August 2026 that the core business was on track for about $1 billion of Adjusted EBITDA in 2026.
Source
MGM Resorts
- Jim Murren2008–2020
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Led MGM through the CityCenter development, the formation of BetMGM, and the start of the asset-light strategy.
Source - Bill Hornbuckle2020–present
Chief Executive Officer and President
Named acting CEO in March 2020 and permanent CEO later that year, Hornbuckle led MGM through the pandemic shutdown, the 2022 VICI sale-leaseback, the Cosmopolitan and LeoVegas acquisitions, the 2023 cyberattack, and the Osaka resort approval.
Source - Paul Salem2020–present
Chairman of the Board
Leads the board, which in September 2026 confirmed MGM would continue as a standalone company after People Inc. withdrew its proposal.
Source
Timeline: DraftKings and MGM Resorts side by side
1969MGM Resorts
Kerkorian Opens A Las Vegas Landmark
Kirk Kerkorian opens the International Hotel in Las Vegas, one of the roots of the MGM resort story.
1973MGM Resorts
MGM Grand Arrives In Las Vegas
The MGM Grand Hotel brand gives Kerkorian's gaming and hospitality ambitions a global entertainment identity.
2000MGM Resorts
Mirage Resorts Acquisition
MGM Grand acquires Mirage Resorts, adding Bellagio, The Mirage, and other premium Las Vegas assets.
2005MGM Resorts
Mandalay Resort Group Deal
The Mandalay acquisition expands MGM's Las Vegas Strip and regional resort portfolio.
2009MGM Resorts
CityCenter Opens
CityCenter adds Aria, Vdara, and a large mixed-use resort footprint to the Las Vegas Strip.
2010MGM Resorts
MGM Resorts International Name
The company adopts the MGM Resorts International name to reflect a broader resort and entertainment strategy.
2012DraftKings
DraftKings Founded in Watertown
The three ambitious founders launch the influential daily fantasy startup from a tiny spare bedroom.
2015DraftKings
The DFS Legal War
State attorneys general, led by New York, challenged daily fantasy sports; DraftKings fought for state laws that licensed DFS.
2018DraftKings
The Historic PASPA Repeal
Immediately following the Supreme Court's ruling, DraftKings launches the first legal mobile sportsbook in New Jersey.
2018MGM Resorts
BetMGM Launches
MGM and Entain create BetMGM to pursue regulated sports betting and iGaming.
2020DraftKings
The SBTech Merger and IPO
DraftKings executes a $3.3 billion merger with SBTech, officially listing on the Nasdaq exchange.
2022DraftKings
Acquired Golden Nugget Online Gaming
DraftKings acquired Golden Nugget Online Gaming in May 2022.
2024DraftKings
The Jackpocket Lottery Acquisition
DraftKings acquires digital lottery courier Jackpocket for about $750 million in cash and stock.
2025DraftKings
First Full-Year Net Profit and Predictions Launch
DraftKings reported $6.05 billion of 2025 revenue and about $3.7 million of net income, bought Railbird in October and launched DraftKings Predictions in December.
2025MGM Resorts
FY2025 Scale
MGM Resorts reports $17.538 billion of FY2025 net revenues.
2026DraftKings
Super App and DKeX Exchange
DraftKings rolled out its Super App nationwide and launched its own DKeX prediction-market exchange; co-founder Matthew Kalish stepped down as President on March 31.
Acquisitions
DraftKings
- Railbird Technologies (Railbird Exchange)2025Undisclosed
- Jackpocket2024$750M
- Golden Nugget Online Gaming (GNOG)2022$1.6B
- SBTech2020$3.3B
MGM Resorts
- The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas (operations)2022$1.6B
- LeoVegas AB2022$607M
- Mandalay Resort Group2005$7.9B
- Mirage Resorts2000$6.4B
Questions about DraftKings vs MGM Resorts
Who is the CEO of DraftKings Inc. and MGM Resorts International?
DraftKings Inc. is led by Jason Robins and MGM Resorts International is led by William Hornbuckle. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was DraftKings Inc. founded vs MGM Resorts International?
MGM Resorts International was founded in 1969 — 43 years before DraftKings Inc., which was founded in 2012. MGM Resorts International's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger DraftKings Inc..
How many employees does DraftKings Inc. have compared to MGM Resorts International?
DraftKings Inc. employs approximately 5,500 people, while MGM Resorts International employs approximately 78,000. MGM Resorts International has the larger workforce at 78,000 employees, compared to DraftKings Inc.'s 5,500. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are DraftKings Inc. and MGM Resorts International headquartered?
Both DraftKings Inc. and MGM Resorts International are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded DraftKings Inc. and MGM Resorts International?
DraftKings Inc. was founded by Jason Robins, Matthew Kalish, Paul Liberman. MGM Resorts International was founded by Kirk Kerkorian.
Which company has a longer operating history — DraftKings Inc. or MGM Resorts International?
MGM Resorts International has been operating for approximately 57 years, making it the more established of the two companies. DraftKings Inc. has been in operation for around 14 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the DraftKings vs MGM Resorts overview