Justin Sebastiano Joins Game Play Network as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Game Play Network announced that Justin Sebastiano has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective Dec 2, 2025.

Sebastiano brings more than two decades of finance experience and will lead the company’s global finance organization, including financial planning and analysis, accounting, treasury, and investor relations. He joins from Fanatics, where he was SVP and Treasurer, and previously served as SVP of Finance, Investor Relations, and Treasurer at Penn Entertainment (NASDAQ: PENN). Sebastiano holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Economics and an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University.

Positive

• Appointment date: Dec 2, 2025
• Over two decades of finance and capital markets experience
• Will lead global finance: FP&A, accounting, treasury, IR
• Prior SVP Treasurer role at Fanatics
• Previously SVP Finance/IR/Treasurer at Penn Entertainment (PENN)

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction

-1.01%

1 alert

-1.01% News Effect

On the day this news was published, PENN declined 1.01%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Reality Check

Price: $14.29 Vol: Volume 3,080,516 is sligh...

normal vol

$14.29 Last Close

Volume Volume 3,080,516 is slightly below the 20-day average of 3,247,456 (relative volume 0.95x). normal

Technical Shares trade below the 200-day moving average at $17.00, indicating a pre-news downtrend.

Peers on Argus

PENN was up 0.8% pre-news, while peers showed mixed strength: VAC +3.82%, MTN +3...

PENN was up 0.8% pre-news, while peers showed mixed strength: VAC +3.82%, MTN +3.17%, CZR +2.29%, HGV +1.95%, and MLCO -0.6%. Scanner data did not flag a unified sector move, suggesting stock-specific trading rather than a broad Resorts & Casinos rotation.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 02 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 02	Executive move (peer)	Neutral	-1.0%	Former PENN executive named CFO at private Game Play Network, limited PENN read-through.
Dec 01	Property expansion	Positive	+0.0%	Opening of second M Resort tower, nearly doubling capacity and adding event space.
Dec 01	Product launch	Positive	+0.0%	Rebrand to theScore Bet and launch in Missouri, now live in 21 jurisdictions.
Nov 06	Earnings & strategy	Negative	-10.4%	Q3 results with $825M impairment linked to ESPN BET and digital realignment.
Nov 06	Partnership termination	Negative	-10.4%	Mutual early termination of ESPN BET agreement and shift toward theScore Bet.

Pattern Detected

Over the last month, clearly positive strategic and partnership actions often aligned with notable negative price reactions, while property expansion and product launches saw little immediate impact.

Recent Company History

Recent disclosures for PENN highlight major strategic shifts and balance sheet impacts. On Nov 6, 2025, earnings and an 8-K detailed the early end of the ESPN BET arrangement, a non-cash $825.0M impairment, warrant adjustments, and a new $750M buyback; shares fell about 10.4%. Subsequent news on Dec 1, 2025 covered the M Resort tower opening and theScore Bet going live in 21 U.S. jurisdictions, with minimal price reaction. The Dec 2 article about Justin Sebastiano focuses on another company and only references his prior role at PENN.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement centers on Justin Sebastiano’s move to Game Play Network, highlighting his backgro...

Analysis

This announcement centers on Justin Sebastiano’s move to Game Play Network, highlighting his background in strategic finance, capital markets, and investor relations, including a prior senior role at PENN. For PENN holders, the news mainly underscores management turnover in the broader gaming ecosystem rather than a direct operational change. Investors may instead focus on PENN’s recent rebrand to theScore Bet, the M Resort expansion, and the earlier ESPN BET-related $825.0M impairment when assessing the story.

Key Terms

capital markets, treasury management, investor relations, m&A transactions

4 terms

capital markets financial

"leadership experience in strategic finance, capital markets, treasury management"

Capital markets are places where people and organizations buy and sell long-term investments like stocks and bonds. They help connect those who need money to grow or fund projects with investors looking to earn returns over time. For investors, capital markets are important because they offer opportunities to invest, save, and grow their wealth through a variety of financial assets.

treasury management financial

"experience in strategic finance, capital markets, treasury management, and investor relations"

Treasury management is a company's day‑to‑day handling of cash, short‑term investments, borrowing and financial risks to make sure bills are paid, excess cash is used wisely, and exposure to things like interest rates or foreign currencies is controlled. Think of it as running the company's checking account and emergency fund so operations keep flowing. For investors, strong treasury management signals that a company can meet obligations, fund growth without costly surprises, and protect value in changing markets.

investor relations financial

"treasury management, and investor relations for both public and private companies"

Investor relations is the communication process between a company and its current or potential investors. It involves sharing information about the company's performance, strategies, and outlook to help investors make informed decisions. Effective investor relations build trust and transparency, similar to a clear conversation between a business and someone considering investing, ensuring both parties understand each other's interests and expectations.

m&A transactions financial

"leading complex financings, building investor relationships, managing M&A transactions"

M&A transactions are deals in which one company buys, merges with, or combines operations with another—this includes purchases of stock, assets, or complete mergers. They matter to investors because such deals can quickly change a company’s size, costs, revenue and risk profile; like two households merging finances or one buying another’s business, M&A can boost growth or create hidden costs, affecting share prices, debt levels and future profits.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Game Play Network, Inc. ("GPN"), a licensed gaming company that offers players casino-style games for real money through its B2C website and app, Horseplay, today announced the appointment of Justin Sebastiano as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Sebastiano joins GPN with more than two decades of leadership experience in strategic finance, capital markets, treasury management, and investor relations for both public and private companies in the gaming and consumer industries.

Sebastiano will lead the company's global finance organization, including financial planning and analysis, accounting, treasury, and investor relations. He will work closely with CEO David Marshall, President Russell Fine, and COO Tod Lower to further strengthen GPN's financial infrastructure and drive profitability, operational excellence, and scalable growth.

"Justin's deep expertise in the gaming industry, capital markets, and scaling finance operations will be invaluable as GPN advances its growth and partnership initiatives," said Marshall. "He brings a proven record of leading complex financings, building investor relationships, managing M&A transactions, and driving stakeholder value—all of which are critical as we enter our next chapter."

Sebastiano joins GPN from Fanatics Holdings, where he served as Senior Vice President ("SVP") and Treasurer. At Fanatics Sebastiano led Treasury, Capital Markets, Risk Management and worked closely with the Strategic Finance and M&A teams. Prior to Fanatics, Sebastiano was SVP of Finance, Investor Relations, and Treasurer of Penn Entertainment (NASDAQ: PENN). Earlier in his career, he was a top-ranked equity research analyst recognized by Financial Times/Starmine and Forbes for his coverage of the gaming sector.

"I'm thrilled to join Game Play Network at such an exciting time in its evolution," said Sebastiano. "The team has built a strong foundation and clear vision. I look forward to partnering with David, Russell, Tod, and the rest of our leadership team to drive disciplined growth, operational excellence, and long-term value for our stakeholders."

Sebastiano holds a dual bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Economics and an M.B.A. in Finance from Rutgers University.

About Game Play Network
Game Play Network, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based iGaming company with a patented software & technology platform that enables the reveal of real money wagers on live horse races in conjunction with a graphical user interface (e.g. casino-style games such as slots, keno and video poker). GPN is an advance deposit wagering company legally authorized to conduct wagering on horse races under the Federal Interstate Horseracing Act, gaming licenses, and applicable state laws. GPN conducts its B2C business via Horseplay.com and also enables third party brands to offer real money mobile casino style games in states where other forms of iGaming may not be legal. The company operates in 18 states with the ability to launch in up to 40 states.

For investor inquiries or additional information, please contact:
investorrelations@bspot.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/justin-sebastiano-joins-game-play-network-as-executive-vice-president-and-chief-financial-officer-302630131.html

SOURCE Game Play Network

FAQ

Who is Justin Sebastiano and what role did he accept at Game Play Network?

Justin Sebastiano was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Game Play Network, effective Dec 2, 2025.

What responsibilities will Justin Sebastiano have as GPN CFO?

He will lead the company’s global finance organization, including FP&A, accounting, treasury, and investor relations.

How does Justin Sebastiano’s background at Fanatics and Penn Entertainment (PENN) relate to his GPN role?

He previously led treasury and capital markets at Fanatics and served as SVP Finance, IR, and Treasurer at Penn Entertainment (PENN), bringing industry finance experience.

When did Game Play Network announce the CFO appointment for Justin Sebastiano?

The company announced the appointment on December 2, 2025.

What qualifications does Justin Sebastiano hold for the CFO position at Game Play Network?

He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Economics and an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University.