Jason Ader is an American investor and entrepreneur, founder of SpringOwl Asset Management. He is a veteran of the gaming and hospitality industry with over 25 years of experience, including serving on the board of Las Vegas Sands Corporation from 2009-2016 and as a top-ranked gaming analyst at Bear Stearns.

What is Jason Ader's background?

Jason Ader began his career at Bear Stearns as a gaming and lodging analyst, where he was ranked #1 by Institutional Investor. He later served on the board of Las Vegas Sands Corporation during its international expansion. He holds an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business.

What does Jason Ader invest in?

Through SpringOwl, Jason Ader invests in gaming technology, hospitality systems, sports betting infrastructure, and digital entertainment platforms. The firm focuses on companies at the intersection of technology and the leisure economy.

Is Jason Ader an activist investor?

Yes, Jason Ader is known for activist investing. Major deals include the $1.6B bwin-GVC sale, the Flutter-Stars Group merger (world's largest online gaming company), and current Playtech board membership. His philosophy: 'The crowd is usually wrong.'

Jason Ader Hedge Fund | SpringOwl Asset Management

SpringOwl Asset Management is an investment firm founded by Jason Ader in 2015, specializing in gaming, hospitality, and technology sectors. Based in Florida with operations in New York and Tel Aviv, SpringOwl manages capital for institutional investors and family offices seeking exposure to these dynamic industries.

Investment Philosophy

Jason Ader's hedge fund approach combines deep sector expertise with activist investing principles. SpringOwl identifies companies where operational improvements, strategic repositioning, or corporate governance changes can unlock substantial value.

Mentored by Ron Baron and Alan Greenberg, Ader was ranked the #1 Gaming & Lodging Analyst by Institutional Investor for 10 consecutive years. He authored the North American Gaming Almanac and Global Lodging Almanac. His background includes serving on the boards of Las Vegas Sands (2009-2016) and Playtech (2018-present).

Ader's philosophy: "The crowd is usually wrong." His approach is not hostile activism but corporate collaboration—sympathetic advocacy for uncovering value and enhancing performance.

Sector Focus

SpringOwl concentrates on three interconnected sectors where Ader has built decades of expertise:

Gaming - Traditional casinos, online gaming platforms, sports betting infrastructure, and gaming technology providers. This includes both established operators and emerging companies disrupting the industry.

Hospitality - Hotels, resorts, and hospitality technology companies. The firm seeks opportunities where real estate, operations, and brand value can be enhanced through strategic initiatives.

Technology - Companies building the infrastructure layer for gaming and hospitality, including payment processing, customer analytics, and regulatory compliance solutions.

Track Record

SpringOwl has been involved in some of the gaming industry's most significant transactions:

bwin.party → GVC/Entain ($1.6B, 2015) — Took majority stake, engineered sale
Stars Group → Flutter (£4.95B, 2020) — Blocked Baazov takeover, architected merger creating world's largest online gaming company (£11B+ combined, stock doubled year one)
Playtech (Board, 2018-Present) — Facilitated founder Teddy Sagi's exit, unlocking US market opportunities; platform processes 1B bets daily
IGT — Activist position in gaming equipment and systems leader
GameCo — Co-investment with Playtech in skill-based gaming

Additional turnaround successes outside gaming include Papa John's Pizza, First Bank of Nevada, and Adelie Foods Group.

Institutional Backing

SpringOwl manages capital from institutional investors, family offices, and high net worth individuals seeking specialized exposure to gaming and hospitality markets. The firm maintains a concentrated portfolio approach, taking meaningful positions in a select number of companies where the investment thesis is strongest.

Contact

For institutional inquiries about SpringOwl Asset Management, please contact ir@springowl.com. Media inquiries can be directed to media@springowl.com.