Goodman will exit the company on 12 December, unless an earlier date is agreed with the provider. Scott will serve as interim CEO while Golden Matrix seeks a permanent replacement.

Goodman became CEO in January 2016. During this time, he oversaw a shift in the business from a micro-cap operator to a NASDAQ-listed international gaming group. This included expansion into multiple regulated markets and the growth of its portfolio of both B2B and B2C platforms.

Prior to joining Golden Matrix, Goodman worked as CEO for Articulate Play for almost 23 years.

Next phase of ‘strategic execution’ for Golden Matrix

Golden Matrix said appointing a new CEO is part of a planned leadership transition for the business. This, it added, aligns with the company’s next phase of “strategic execution and operational scale”.

“Golden Matrix is committed to innovation, compliance and delivering consistent results in a dynamic industry landscape,” the provider said.

In addition to serving as interim CEO, Scott will chair the board committee responsible for appointing a new permanent CEO. Scott is an experienced gaming executive, having held senior executive roles at GTECH/Lottomatica.

“Golden Matrix is built on solid ground – diversified, profitable and prepared to scale,” Scott said. “Brian laid the foundation. Our next chapter is about execution, scale and consistent performance.

“With strong fundamentals, global reach and disciplined execution, we believe we are positioned to outperform the market and deliver exceptional long-term value for our shareholders.”

Couple arrested over AU$1.2 million fraudulent casino win

A husband and wife from Kazakhstan have been arrested over allegations they defrauded an Australian casino out of AU$1.2million (US$786,059).

The BBC reports that the couple was caught cheating at Crown Sydney. Dilnoza Israilova was found to be wearing a discreet camera on her T-shirt while gambling at the venue.

Police also found “magnetised probes” and a mirror attachment for a phone allegedly used to rig games. Both she and her husband, Alisherykhoja Israilov, were arrested shortly after.

New South Wales Police charged the pair with dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage. They remain in custody over the matter.

Malta regulator issues further warning over illegal sites

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has distanced itself from two websites that claim to be licensed by the regulator.

Both Lavbet321.com and Kasinoseta.com claimed to have been approved by the MGA and that they hold a Malta licence. However, the regulator said this was not the case with either site.

The MGA said that any reference to the regulator or a Malta gaming licence is “false and misleading”.

“The MGA would like to remind consumers not to utilise services provided by an entity unless they have ascertained that the entity in question is authorised to provide such services by the MGA,” the regulator said.

London councils join anti-gambling ad campaign on Underground

Five more London councils have declared their support for a campaign to stop gambling advertising on the city’s Underground.

Barnet, Brent, Enfield, Hackney and Lewisham councils joined the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA), the BBC reported. The group campaigns against the spread of harmful gambling promotions, with the Underground one of its focus areas.

Haringey Council was the first council to join CEGA in January 2025. The ongoing campaign calls for the end of advertising for all forms of gambling.

In 2021, Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan pledged to implement such a ban as part of his re-election manifesto. However, this has yet to come to fruition.

Evoplay welcomes Mantsiou as chief financial officer

The game development studio Evoplay has promoted Vasilena Mantsiou to the role of chief financial officer.

As CFO, she will oversee the studio’s financial strategy, planning and operations. This, Evoplay said, will support sustainable growth and stability as part of its global expansion plans.

Mantsiou joined Evoplay in May 2022 and was promoted to head of the accounting department in January 2024.

“Vasilena’s been an integral part of Evoplay’s journey, demonstrating exceptional leadership and deep financial expertise,” said Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay, “Her promotion to CFO is a natural step forward. We’re confident that her strategic vision will continue to support our long-term goals as we expand into new markets.”

Caesars launches sports betting in Missouri

On the first day online sports betting became available in Missouri Monday, Caesars Entertainment has announced its launch.

Players in the state can now download the Caesars Sportsbook mobile app and place bets on a range of markets. They can also visit physical locations at both Harrah’s Kansas City and Horseshoe St Louis.

Missouri was also the first state where Caesars launched with Universal Digital Wallet on the first day of wagering. This enables deposits and withdrawals across Caesars platforms in all regulated states.

Eric Hession, president of Caesars Digital, said: “From our intuitive mobile app to our in-person sportsbooks at Harrah’s Kansas City and Horseshoe St Louis, we’re committed to providing a secure and responsible way for fans to engage with the sports they love.”

In the role, the government confirmed that Eldhagen will support the minister for financial markets, Niklas Wykman. Alongside gambling regulation, Eldhagen will oversee the financial market, state properties and the financing of new nuclear power.

Eldhagen takes on the new position having most recently served as head of international secretariat Sveriges Riksbank. Previously, he worked in various management roles at the Ministry of Finance and as an advisor at the World Bank.

The government said Eldhagen will commence his new role with effect from 1 December.

Another new face in gambling regulatory leadership

The appointment comes after the Swedish gambling regulator in September also announced a change in leadership. Johan Röhr is now its acting director general following the departure of Camilla Rosenberg.

Röhr took on the temporary role from 1 November and is overseeing Spelinspektionen until further notice. He has worked as chief legal officer at the regulator since June 2008.

Spelinspektionen confirmed that Rosenberg would be stepping down as director general on 31 October. She had led the body as its director general since 2017.

Changing face of Swedish gambling market

Aside from regulatory leadership, the Swedish market has also seen several changes to laws and rules over the past year.

In September, Sweden’s Ministry of Finance published Marcus Isgren’s report, outlining amendments designed to strengthen the country’s regulatory framework. This included closing loopholes that enabled illegal operators to market to locals via English-language sites with payments accepted in euros.

Other proposed amendments included broadening the prohibition on promoting illegal gambling in Sweden. Beyond advertising, this would extend to payment processors, financial services and other providers that support unlicensed operations.

The memorandum also proposes adjustments to criminal provisions, meaning unlicensed gambling and the promotion of unlicensed services would be made illegal and subject to criminal charges.

Aside from this, the government in October published the full text of legislation imposing a blanket ban on using credit for gambling. This will extend the Swedish Gambling Act, which already prevents players from using credit to gamble with licensed operators.

The new rules will come into effect from 1 April 2026.

This year also saw the end of the country’s land-based market. Svenska Spel confirmed the closure of its final land-based casino in Stockholm, after the Swedish Parliament voted to end land-based casinos in April.

Groes is the brother of company co-founder and co-CEO Ebbe Groes and brings experience from across technology, finance and policy having spent over 11 years with EY. This includes the past nine and a half years as a partner in the business’ Nordic Consulting practice.

Prior to this, Groes worked for the European Regions Research and Innovation Network. He also spent time with the South Denmark European Office and worked in local government in his native Denmark.

In addition, for the past two and a half years, he has chaired Management Rådgiverne, a Danish-facing organisation for management-consulting businesses.

Groes backed to help EveryMatrix reach ‘ambitious’ targets

Groes said joining EveryMatrix — alongside brother Ebbe — was a “dream come true”.

“What [games CEO] Stian Hornsletten and the rest of the team have built is nothing short of phenomenal,” Groes said. “I’ve seen close hand just what it takes. We work well together and our differences and combined strengths complement one another. I can’t wait to get started.”

Ebbe Groes said the appointment would support long-term growth plans at EveryMatrix.

“As the company’s growth continues, tripling our headcount in the last five years, and as we work with more of the largest gaming brands and lotteries, I needed to find someone who knows what it takes to scale a business and reach the ambitious targets we have for the next five years,” he said.

“Doing this means I will have more time to work on strategy and execute all the things we want to do to become a global top three tier-1 technology provider by 2030.

“To share a CEO position requires complete trust at both personal and professional level. Jonas is the perfect candidate. I know he will go on to do amazing things at EveryMatrix.”

Earlier this year, Ebbe Groes spoke with iGB about the provider’s expansion strategy. This included the acquisition of UK-based betting and iGaming platform FSB in July 2024 and the purchase of Fantasma Games later that year.

ACMA orders blocking of illegal gambling sits

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has issued banning orders against a further nine illegal gambling and affiliate websites.

ACMA said the sites did not hold a licence to offer online gambling in Australia. As such, it requested that Australian internet service providers block access to the sites.

Among the brands were Cashed, King Maker, Posido, Spinight, Spinsy, The Pokies Reviews and Topio Networks. Also flagged was wizbet.app, an imitation of the licensed WizBet service, and next2go-au.com, an imitation of the approved Next2Go service.

“Since ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019, 1,369 illegal websites have been blocked,” ACMA said. “Around 220 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since we started enforcing new illegal online gambling rules in 2017.”

PAGCOR commits funds to typhon support

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation has allocated Php32.85 million ($557,267) to assist those impacted by the recent Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan.

The typhoons left widespread devastation across the Philippines, claiming hundred of lives and affecting over 2.5 million families. Funds from PAGCOR were used to buy 31,500 relief packs containing food and non-food essentials.

Another batch of 16,500 relief packs worth Php18.07 million will also be dispatched.

“In times of calamities, PAGCOR will always be ready to step in and extend support to our fellow Filipinos,” CEO Alejandro Tengco said. “Part of our nation-building mission is to help our kababayans rebuild their lives.”

Hippos ATG names Nurmi as COO

The newly established Hippos ATG has appointed Jussi Nurmi as its chief operating officer.

Nurmi has 10 years of experience within the iGaming industry, including time working in senior roles with Betsson and TonyBet.

In April, Sweden’s ATG announced a 50/50 joint venture with local Finnish racing association Suomen Hippos. It was later confirmed the business would operate in Finland with the ATG brand.

“Hippos ATG combines strong heritage with a clear ambition to build a modern and sustainable business for the Finnish market,” Nurmi said. “I’m excited to contribute to creating a competitive and responsible gaming company in Finland.”

Intralot extends with Arkansas Scholarship Lottery

In the US, Intralot has signed a new, 10-year contract with the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.

The agreement, which comes into effect next August, will extend a partnership that began in 2009. It covers the introduction of new technology for the lottery.

Intralot will introduce its new lottery solution, including the LotosX Central Gaming System. Arkansas will be one of the first states in the US to roll out the technology.

“We look forward to our continued partnership with Intralot.” Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Executive Director Sharon Strong said. “With this new agreement, we remain committed to both our players and our mission of supporting Arkansas students.”

National Council on Problem Gambling appoints Maurer

The National Council on Problem Gambling has appointed Heather Maurer as its new executive director.

Maurer brings over 25 years of leadership experience in the fields of public health, policy, and nonprofit management. She was most recently CEO of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health.

As executive director, Maurer will lead strategic direction and oversee national programmes, partnerships and advocacy initiatives.

“I’m honoured to join NCPG and build on its strong legacy of leadership in addressing gambling-related harm,” said Maurer.

Keith Whyte served as executive director of the national council for more than 25 years before his departure in January.

Reeves will succeed Nikolaos Nikolakopoulos, who will now hold the position of president. Chrysostomos Sfatos will serve as COO.

Reeves has also been elected to Intralot’s board of directors following the resignation of Konstantinos Farris, the company’s group chief technology officer.

Reeves had been serving as CEO of Bally’s International Interactive when Intralot agreed to a deal in July to acquire the division. The €2.7 billion ($3.1 billion) transaction was completed in October.

At the time the deal was announced, it was confirmed Reeves would replace Nikolakopoulos as Intralot CEO. Nikolakopoulos will lead the lottery division.

Intralot’s board of directors is now as follows;

Intralot acquisition of Bally’s international assets

The Intralot and Bally’s deal sees the Greek lottery and gambling operator acquire the US operator’s technology business, with Bally’s becoming Intralot’s majority shareholder.

With the deal, Intralot is positioned to become a leading digital gaming operator and technology provider for lottery solutions, with a strong presence across key markets in Europe and North America.

The company stated that its enhanced technological capabilities will enable it to seize new growth opportunities in gaming and lottery sectors worldwide.

Bally’s reports revenue gains for Q3

Bally’s announced its Q3 earnings on Monday, with revenue increasing by 5.4% year-on-year to $663.7 million.

Its UK online revenue increased by 8%, although its international interactive revenue dipped by 6.9%. Bally’s attributed that decline to the sale of its interactive business in Asia late last year.

Reeves believes the agreement with Intralot will prove fruitful for Bally’s, saying the company has created a “scaled, global omnichannel provider of retail and online experiences”.

“We continue to demonstrate strategic and prudent use of our capital resources to drive growth and returns for our stakeholders,” Reeves said.

“Combined with our operational expertise and long-term vision, we are eagerly and aggressively pursuing the many growth opportunities before us.”

Better Gambling Forum reveals global strategy

The Better Gambling Forum has announced its framework for global player protection at the UN General Assembly.

The Responsible Gambling Practice and Policy Pillars (RG3P) Framework comprises six pillars. The framework, the organisation said, was designed to complement, rather than compete with, existing responsible gambling efforts

Pillars include Education, Informed Choice and Harm Prevention; Risk Detection and Intervention; Support, Treatment and Recovery; Gambling Environment, Product and Marketing; Ethical Industry Practices and Accountability; and Research, Evaluation and Sustainable Funding.

“The pillars are designed to address this challenge and serve as a foundational structure for jurisdictions seeking to create a ‘gold standard’ guide for gambling awareness, treatment programmes and regulations,” said Francis Keyser, a committee member and senior vice president of product at Everi Holdings.

Konami confirms vice president promotions

Konami Gaming has announced a series of internal promotions to vice president, expanding its senior management team.

Jeff George has been appointed as vice president of customer support within the company’s research and development department. Adriane McGrath will become the vice president of professional services and Eddie Sepich will be vice president of embedded and interface development.

Meanwhile, Brian Alu will serve as vice president of information technology, Jeanie Griese as vice president of human resources and Noah VanWetten as vice president of supply chain, purchasing and manufacturing.

“The latest additions to Konami’s senior management team exemplify the level of service, integrity, innovation and teamwork that is core to our company values and long-term success,” said Tom Jingoli, president and chief operating officer at Konami.

Gaming Corps hands top commercial role to Greensmith

Gaming Corps has appointed Graham Greensmith as its new chief commercial officer.

Greensmith joins with more than 20 years of experience from commercial management roles within the industry. He was most recently head of commercial development at Inspired.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Gaming Corps at the most exciting phase of their ambitious journey,” he said. “The goal is clear, to become the vendor of choice for operators, producing games of the highest quality, known and enjoyed on a global scale.”

Big Daddy Gaming lands Swedish licence

Slots studio Big Daddy Gaming has secured a gaming software supplier licence in Sweden.

Issued by regulator Spelinspektionen, the licence enables the studio to bring its slots games to the regulated Swedish market. This will begin before the end of the year, with the first deals to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

“This is a major validation of our compliance standards and technical readiness,” Big Daddy Gaming CEO Erland Hellstrom said. “Sweden is an essential market in our growth strategy. Securing this approval allows us to immediately begin servicing our operator partners here.”

Bragg expands iGaming presence in Romania

Bragg Gaming Group has announced the launch of its premium content suite with Napoleon Romania.

Customers of Napoleon Romania have access to Bragg’s exclusive online casino content and aggregated online casino content. These include titles such as Golden Gal’s Cash Towers, Almighty Pegasus and Big Roar.

Bragg said the roll-out supports its 2025 strategic goal of scaling its aggregation business.

“This strategic deployment further strengthens our market presence in Romania,” Bragg said. “It expands our already fantastic partnership with the Superbet Group brand. A huge commendation to our team for making this happen.”

Ott will replace Alex Thursby, whose departure as non-executive chairman was confirmed by Rank in September. Thursby served in the role for six years and formally stepped down at Rank’s AGM in October.

Karen Whitworth has served as the interim chair since Thursby’s departure. She will switch back to her role as both senior independent director and audit chair when Ott assumes his new position.

Ott is currently a senior advisory partner at the UK arm of Bain & Company. He has worked at the business consulting and services company since 2006.

Ott has also been a founder, investor and board member for two private businesses. These include financial services company Funding Xchange and global fractional ownership business The Hideaways Clubs.

Prior to this, he was group strategy and M&A director at Barclays Bank. In addition, he spent time as a partner at McKinsey & Company and assistant vice president for US Bancorp.

“During a rigorous and wide-ranging selection process, John emerged as the stand-out candidate to become Rank’s chair,” interim chair Whitworth said.

“His wealth of experience in highly regulated industries, and advising and working with boards across the globe, will provide the group with the expertise and leadership that it requires as we embark on the next phase of our strategic journey.”

Widespread growth for Rank in Q1

Thursby’s exit from Rank coincided with the group publishing its results for Q1 of its 2025-26 financial year. These revealed a 9% year-on-year increase in revenue during the three-month period.

Net gaming revenue totalled £210.2 million ($275.9 million). Rank’s digital arm again saw the most growth. Revenue jumped 13% year-on-year to £61.6 million, with a 31% spike in Grosvenor digital revenue and a 9% rise within its Mecca online segment. In Spain, however, revenue fell 1% due to previously reported platform capacity issues.

At the time, CEO John O’Reilly set out his opinion on speculation on tax changes in the UK in the upcoming budget, saying Rank already pays its fair share of tax in the UK.

“Last year the group generated £44.6 million in profit, having paid HMRC and local authorities £188.0 million in taxes,” he said. “Rank Group, with its strong UK focus, is certainly paying its fair share.”

He will be responsible for accelerating the growth of an ecosystem serving global gaming professionals with intelligence, data, marketing solutions and community activations. 

Clarion Gaming Digital, which spans the iGB, GGB, iGB Affiliate and iGB Executive brands, has been building the foundations for a dedicated digital proposition since 2022. 

New phase of growth for Clarion Gaming Digital

Holland is now tasked with unlocking new value across that digital portfolio. He will oversee work to enhance the end-to-end audience funnel, from reach and engagement through to community and membership while enhancing the solutions on offer for commercial partners. 

“Reid’s appointment represents a huge moment for us,” Sophie Webster, managing director at Clarion Digital said. “We’ve been building the foundations for a more connected, insight-rich digital portfolio that truly puts the audience first. 

“He brings exactly the right mix of strategic vision, operational experience and commercial drive to take that ambition to the next level and to deliver greater value for our audiences and partners alike.”

Experienced operator

Holland has more than two decades’ experience leading transformation and commercial growth across some of the world’s leading media brands. He served as chief marketing officer and chief revenue officer at Hearst Europe, where he evolved its approach to brand, content, audience engagement and monetisation. 

Recently he has advised The Telegraph, Saga and outsourcing specialist CDS Global on digital strategy and audience monetisation. 

“I’m thrilled to be joining Clarion Gaming at such a pivotal moment,” Holland said. “There’s huge potential to unlock growth by aligning more closely powerful content, tools and data around our users’ needs and using that to deliver smarter, longer-term solutions for global clients. I’m looking forward to building on the strong momentum that’s already under way.”

Clarion Gaming Managing Director Alex Pratt added that the appointment underpins the business’ commitment to developing a future-proofed digital ecosystem to support the global gaming industry, with connections, intelligence and community. 

“We will be making further announcements during Q4 2025 as our strategy continues to scale.”

GCGRA Chairman Jim Murren, who succeeds him as CEO on an interim basis, said Mullally played a significant role in establishing the regulator’s core governance and regulatory structures. 

“We thank him for his contribution and wish him continued success in his future endeavours,” Murren said. “The GCGRA remains focused on the next stage of its growth, ensuring regulatory excellence, responsible gaming, and continued confidence in the UAE’s approach.”

Mullally ‘profoundly grateful’ to exceptional GCGRA team

Writing on Linkedin, Mullally described serving as CEO of the GCGRA as “one of the greatest professional honours of [his] career”. 

“I am profoundly grateful for the exceptional team with whom I have had the privilege to work. Their dedication, expertise, and commitment to public service have been essential to everything we have achieved,” he said.

With that team he created “an efficient, modern regulatory framework” and an “agile, predictable and forward-looking regulatory environment”. But he now had to “prioritise family over [his] profession”, he added. 

“I look forward to returning to Kansas City with my incredible wife and best friend, Jerri, to be with our five children, their spouses, and our eight grandchildren. While this decision has not been easy, it is the right one for us and our family.”

GCGRA up and running, but gaming operations remain limited

When the the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority was established, the UAE’s largest gaming development, Wynn Al-Marjan Island in Ras Al-Khaimah, was already under construction. 

That property is due to open in March 2027, with Wynn Resorts predicting the UAE gambling market will be worth up to $5 billion at maturity. 

It was under the regulations developed by Mullally that Wynn Al-Marjan secured the UAE’s first commercial gaming licence. Under the regulatory framework, each emirate can put forward one casino development for a licence. After Ras Al-Khaimah, the main prizes for operators would be resorts in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. 

Industry speculation has linked multiple integrated resort operators with an Abu Dhabi facility, though there have been no public announcements on a project to date. MGM Resorts, which has a non-gaming development in Dubai, has been the most vocal about its ambitions for the market. 

CEO Bill Hornbuckle told delegates at a Skift conference in September last year that MGM Resorts had put forward an application for a casino licence, suggesting it had eyes on Abu Dhabi. 

However, that appears to have shifted back to Dubai, with the company saying little on the licence process since. 

What is Kevin Mullally’s legacy as the UAE gambling regulator?

Alongside setting up its regulatory framework, the launch of the UAE Lottery was the other major milestone of Mullally’s tenure.

The company behind the lottery, Momentum LLC, was a surprise victor in the tender for the lottery licence. Two companies, Mahzooz and Emirates Draw, were already running lotteries in the Emirates. Both paused operations as they pursued the national lottery certification. 

Mahzooz parent Ewings said it was planning a pivot after the “disappointing” decision, while Emirates Draw said it would shift focus to other legal gaming verticals. The UAE Lottery, meanwhile, announced the first winner of its Dh100 million jackpot in October this year.

But what about online? 

While the lottery is live, there are not yet any other licensed online operators. The UAE gambling regulations allow for one licensee per emirate, suggesting up to seven operators could ultimately be able to enter the market. 

However, as with the land-based properties, only expatriates – which make up around 88% of the UAE population – are allowed to gamble. 

Both online casino and sports betting licences are available. Despite much industry speculation of progress this year, no operator licensees have been announced. 

A number of suppliers for sports betting and iGaming have secured vendor certification. These include Sportradar, geolocation provider Xpoint and crypto specialist Yolo Group’s Hub88 and Live88 following that company’s regulated market pivot.

Will Jim Murren oversee the UAE’s online gaming launch?

This means interim CEO Jim Murren, who also holds the same role at Ritz Carlton Yachts and chairs Resorts World Las Vegas, could be overseeing the launch of online gaming in the UAE. 

Murren joined alongside Mullally to chair the regulator’s board of directors and has stepped in as CEO with immediate effect. The GCGRA said its operations, licensing programmes and stakeholder engagement will continue without interruption under the guidance of its new leadership team. 

In parting, Mullally added: “I am confident in the strength of the GCGRA, grateful for the dedication of its people, and proud of what we have accomplished together.”

Dragic founded the company and returned as co-CEO in September last year. He will switch to the solitary leadership position from 1 January 2026, Superbet confirmed on LinkedIn.

Jimmy Maymann, who has been serving as co-CEO since January 2024, will step back but rejoin the company’s board. His reappointment to the board will also take effect from January.

Other changes include Albert Simsensohn, currently group chief operating officer, becoming deputy CEO. This, Superbet said, will “align strategy and drive execution” across its business.

In addition, Eamonn O’Loughlin will switch from chief operating officer international to the position of chief operating officer. Superbet said this will expand his responsibilities to lead customer operations and partnerships across the group. O’Loughlin will retain commercial leadership for markets outside Central and Eastern Europe.

‘Planned evolution’ for Superbet

Commenting on the changes, Dragic said the new-look team marked a “natural step” in the operator’s growth journey. Dragic founded Superbet in 2008 and initially exited as CEO in 2019 after 10 years in the role, shifting to board member.

“This planned evolution of our leadership team marks a natural step in our growth journey,” Dragic said of the changes. “It reflects the maturity of our organisation and our ambition to push forward, positioning Superbet for the next phase of sustainable global expansion.”

Maymann became CEO at the start of 2024, succeeding Johnny Hartnett, who spent almost five years in the role. He subsequently stepped into a non-executive board position.

“I want to recognise Jimmy, whose leadership and partnership have shaped much of our progress to date,” Dragic said. “Over the past couple of years, we have achieved remarkable results, advancing our product and technology capabilities, strengthening our position in key markets, and building a culture of financial discipline and accountability.

Maymann added: “It’s been a privilege to work with Sacha and the whole Superbet team. I’ll continue to do so as an advisor and as part of the group’s board. This is a great company with a huge potential ahead and I’ll stay engaged and help see it materialise.”

Superbet plots further growth

The news came in what has been an active year for Superbet. In February, it secured a €1.3 billion refinancing agreement with existing investors Blackstone and a number of funds and accounts managed by HPS Investment Partners (HPS).

At the time, the operator said this would support growth into new markets and M&A. It also said it was planning further investment in technologies. 

Superbet was one of the first operators to be granted a full online betting licence in Brazil on 1 January. It was among 14 to be granted a full licence upon the market’s opening. The operator is active in 12 markets in total, also listing Romania, Belgium, Poland and Serbia as key regions.

In recent months, the operator has sought to expand its presence in some of these markets through local sponsorship agreements. These include new deals with Polish football clubs Jagiellonia Białystok and Arka Gdynia.

Hailing from a legal background, Carleton has more than 30 years of experience in gaming law, regulation and compliance. During her career, she has worked with a range of public and private land-based gaming facilities and entertainment companies.

Most recently, Carleton was chief legal officer at industry payments solutions Sightline Payments, working in the role for more than four years. She also served on the company’s board for the past two years.

Prior to this, Carleton was a partner at US law firms Howard and Howard and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. She spent over a decade as senior staff attorney for the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin.

“Jennifer will play a key role in advancing our mission to regulate with integrity, transparency and global best practice,” the GCGRA said on LinkedIn.

“Her extensive background has fostered strong relationships with global regulators and licensing professionals, reinforcing her reputation as a trusted leader in gaming compliance and governance.”

Carleton added: “I’m honoured to return to the UAE after all these years; it’s been a few years since I lived in Abu Dhabi. I’m excited to be a part of this incredible team.”

Evolving face of GCGRA

The GCGRA came into being in September 2023, with the primary task of creating a regulatory framework for national lottery and commercial gaming in the UAE.

Kevin Mullally has been at the helm as CEO since the organisation’s inception. He previously served as Missouri Gaming Commission executive director and spent 17 years at Gaming Laboratories International (GLI).

Jim Murren also continues to chair the organisation’s board of directors. Murren led MGM Resorts as chairman and CEO from 2008 to 2020.

However, there have been several changes to the management team at the GCGRA. These include Ahmed Barakat, who took on the position of chief operating officer but has since departed. The organisation is yet to bring in a replacement.

Meanwhile, Manuela Croci has seen her initial role of chief of supervision, investigations, FCP change, with the investigations part of the position removed. Carleton will oversee this as part of her new role with the regulator.

Other key staff members remain the same, including Leina El Barasi as chief financial officer and Carlos Gutierrez as chief information officer. Dina Helal (chief human resources officer) and Ourouba El Arab (general counsel and board secretary) also remain in place.

As for the board, this remains unchanged from its initial setup. Members include Chris O’Donnell, John Kelly, Giovanni Lega, Mark Lipparelli, William Grounds and Nick Casiello.

Lord Mendelsohn joined Evoke’s board in September 2020 and was appointed non-executive chair in March 2021. He also had a spell as interim executive chair from January to October of 2023.

During his tenure, Mendelsohn oversaw significant change at Evoke. Major developments included the acquisition of William Hill’s non-US assets from Caesars. The deal, which completed in July 2022, was valued at £2.2 billion ($2.9 billion).

Mendelsohn was also at the helm when now-CEO Per Widerström joined the business in July 2023. Widerström was appointed to replace Itai Pazner, who was removed as CEO as the company grappled with failures across AML and KYC processes. Following Pazner’s exit, Mendelsohn served as executive chair during an interim period.

In his role as chair Mendelsohn oversaw Evoke’s major rebrand, as it adopted a new brand and structure. The company took on its new Evoke name in May last year.

Away from Evoke, Lord Mendelsohn is a working peer in the House of Lords, having been appointed in October 2013. He also previously worked as shadow minister for business, international trade, innovation and industrial strategy for the Labour party.

‘Privilege’ for Mendelsohn to chair Evoke

“It has been a privilege to serve as the chair of Evoke,” Lord Mendelsohn said in an Evoke statement released on Tuesday. “Having overseen the transformation of the business into one of the world’s leading betting and gaming companies, now is the right time to hand over to Mark to steward Evoke through its next important phase of growth and stability.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the past five years. I’d like to thank my fellow board members, the executive team and the wider organisation for their utmost and unwavering commitment.”

CEO Widerström added: “I would like to thank Jon for his exceptional leadership of the board and for his support during my transition into the business. He has helped to guide the company through a period of significant growth and transformation. His insight and collaboration will be missed.”

Summerfield takes the helm at Evoke

Evoke, which counts 888 and William Hill among its brands, moved quickly to replace Lord Mendelsohn. Summerfield will become permanent non-executive chair of the board with immediate effect.

Summerfield joined Evoke’s board in September 2019 as a non-executive director. He is now chair of both the audit and risk and gaming compliance committees, as well as a member of the ESG Committee.

“It has been one of the highlights of my professional career to have partnered with Jon over the past few years and I will miss his dedication and insight,” Summerfield said. “I look forward to working closely with my fellow board members and the executive team to ensure the successful delivery of our strategy and create significant shareholder value.”

In addition, Anne de Kerckhove has been appointed as permanent deputy chair of the board. De Kerckhove joined the board in November 2017 and will continue as a senior independent director. She also chairs the nominations committee and the ESG Committee.

Widerström added: “I am looking forward to working with Mark and Anne in their new roles. Mark has such strong and deep institutional knowledge of the company, the industry and our strategic priorities. He is ideally positioned to lead the board and company through the next period of growth and development.”

Evoke prepares for Q3 update

The change in chair comes ahead of Evoke publishing its Q3 trading update on 28 October.

During its most recent period, covering H1, Evoke reported largely positive results. Revenue was up 3% year-on-year to £887.8 million ($1.19 billion). This was in line with forecasts published in a trading update in July.

Growth within the international business offset declines across both the UK and Ireland online gambling and retail segments. Incidentally, it is the latter that has drawn the most attention at Evoke in recent weeks.

Earlier in October, it was reported that Evoke was considering closing up to 15% of its William Hill shops in the UK in response to an expected increase in gambling tax. Various reports said as many as 200 could close, leading to up to 1,500 job losses.

Evoke currently operates approximately 1,300 William Hill shops in the UK. The government is expected to set out new gambling tax plans during its autumn budget on 26 November.

The CGA issued a press release following media reports earlier in the week that claimed Curaçao’s Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas had assumed control of the gambling regulator after the entire supervisory board had resigned.

In its update, the CGA confirmed the resignation of its supervisory board in September, but clarified that responsibility for the regulator had transferred to Minister of Justice Shalten Hato on 19 August. Previously, it fell under the ministry of finance’s remit.

The process to appoint new members of the supervisory board has begun and the CGA stated there would be no impact on the performance of the authority’s supervisory duties.

Additionally, the implementation of the LOK, which started in 2024, will continue. All licensing and supervisory activities are expected to continue uninterrupted.

“The Curaçao Gaming Authority remains committed to ensuring the integrity and reliability of the gaming sector in Curaçao,” the CGA press release read.

CGA PR advisor slams ‘fake news’

The CGA’s marketing and PR advisor, Aideen Shortt, hit out at media reports which claimed the administrative changes had impacted the rollout of Curaçao’s LOK framework.

On Tuesday, Shortt said in a LinkedIn post: “Despite sensationalist headlines and fake-news articles there is no delay or deviation in the rollout of the LOK, and no disruption to the CGA’s licensing or compliance programmes.

“The resignation of the supervisory board is an administrative process following government transition. CGA supervision, enforcement and licensing activities continue without interruption. The rollout of the LOK remains unchanged.

“Once again I find myself having to urge caution to all readers about intended or unintended misinformation and conjecture about the CGA and the rollout of the LOK legislation.”

The LOK marks new era for gambling in Curaçao

Last December, Curaçao’s Parliament approved and passed the LOK on a 13-6 vote.

The move ushered in a new era for gambling regulations on the island, with the intention of improving Curaçao’s previous reputation as a haven for grey market operators.

Under the new regime operators have had to reapply for new look licenses, as the previoud ‘master licence’ system was scrapped.

Minister of Finance Javier Silvania previously called the LOK a “safety net” against offshore operators.

The division will be led by two new senior hires, Hugh Johnson as chief client officer and Nick Withersby as chief creative officer.

Johnson and Withersby each bring more than 20 years’ experience in brand strategy, marketing and advertising, having worked together since 2022 at Amigo Partnership, where they delivered standout and award-winning work for clients including LiveScore, Flutter, Virgin BET, UNICEF and Soccer Aid.

They also collaborated on The Pools’ brand relaunch, with the campaign being a winner at the 2025 Alliance of Independent Agencies Awards.

Based from SITA’s London headquarters, Withersby will oversee the agency’s creative output, working with its in-house copywriters, design and video teams. Johnson will lead creative client relationships and the agency’s responses to briefs. Both will report to chief executive Ben Cleminson.

‘Transformational’ appointments

Square in the Air described the recruitment of Johnson and Withersby as “transformational” for the agency.

Cleminson said: “I have been fortunate to see Hugh and Nick work at close hand, and they are exceptional creatives. The addition of their skills and experience is incredibly exciting for all teams across our business, and their leadership and fresh perspective will massively benefit the agency.

“The division that we are launching with Hugh and Nick will add a creative layer to our business, allowing us to provide a vital, sought-after service to a client base that we have nurtured over nearly 20 years, while also extending our reach into new markets and sectors.”

Square in the Air is a full-service marketing agency with clients around the world and a team of more than 50 employees. It works with operators, suppliers and affiliates in betting and gaming, as well as sport and fintech, offering services including digital and traditional PR, social media and influencer management.

Sho Okuyama, Kanji Kobayashi and Taishi Oba all join the PointsBet board with immediate effect. Each will serve as a non-executive director of the business.

Okuyama joined MIXI in 2016 after working in venture capital and start-ups. He is head of the investment and business development department at MIXI and also heads up its TIPSTAR business.

Kobayashi has been with MIXI since 2007 and is currently general manager of its legal affairs division. In this role, he has responsibility for general corporate legal affairs, intellectual property, M&A and crisis management response.

Oba joined MIXI in 2024 after spells with KPMG Japan and VT Holdings. At present, he works as general manager of the integration management division at the company, working across deal execution and post-merger integration.

Patton continues as chair of PointsBet

PointsBet also confirmed that Brett Patton will remain as chairman of the PointsBet board. In addition, Sam Swannell, CEO of the business, will continue as a director.

Becky Harris, Tony Symons, Kosha Gada, Peter McCluskey and William Grounds all resigned as directors of the board.

“PointsBet welcomes Mr Okuyama, Mr Kobayashi and Mr Oba to the board,” the operator said in a statement. “We are looking forward to working with each incoming director and PointsBet’s major shareholder, MIXI Australia.

“We thank each of the retiring directors for the dedication, service, professionalism, expertise and experience they have contributed individually and collectively to the company.”

Betr still has a say despite MIXI takeover

MIXI completed its takeover offer for PointsBet in September, securing 66.43% of the overall voting power in the operator.

However, its route to a majority holding was far from simple, having faced competition from Betr Entertainment. Betr hoped for a full takeover but had to settle for an increased holding after MIXI came out on top.

Betr now holds 27.72% of the total holding in the business, having previously owned 19.9% before lodging its takeover offer. Its offer closed on 25 September, with Betr now holding an additional 30,341,074 shares in PointsBet.

While MIXI will have the majority in company matters, Betr will still have its say. Upon the closure of its offer, MIXI said the additional voting powers enable it to “block” actions it deems to be against the interests of shareholders.

“This stake will be large enough to block actions that run against shareholder interests and drive constructive engagement with MIXI and the PointsBet board on value creation,” Betr said.

Footballer banned for betting breach

Dutch professional footballer Osman Foyo has been banned from playing for five months after breaching rules on betting.

Foyo, who plays for English League One team AFC Wimbledon, placed 252 bets on matches. The BBC said the bets were made between 29 October 2023 and 28 March 2025.

English Football Association rules say players across the national pyramid are not permitted to place bets on football. Those who breach the regulation risk fines and bans.

Four of the five months in the ban issued to Foyo have been suspended, meaning he will only miss an initial month. He was also ordered to pay a fine of £1,000.

Broadway Gaming names Cleary as CEO

Online bingo specialist Broadway Gaming has appointed Mark Cleary as its new CEO.

Confirming the news on LinkedIn, Broadway said Cleary will make the step up from chief operations officer. He has served in his current role for more than eight years.

Cleary replaces founder David Butler as CEO. Butler will transition into the role of executive chairman, where he will focus on strategic partnerships and M&A opportunities.

“Mark has been instrumental in the company’s growth, operational excellence and team culture and driving Broadway to become the UK’s largest independent online bingo operator,” Broadway said.

Hickey takes managing director role at Games Inc

Another new appointment was confirmed at Games Inc, with Fiona Hickey becoming managing director.

Hickey takes on the role at the slot game studio after working in the iGaming sector for more than 15 years. She joins after six years with Push Gaming.

Hickey will focus on three areas: growing the studio’s distribution footprint, ramping up game output and strengthening its platform.

 “I am excited to be leading such a talented team at a really pivotal moment for Games Inc,” Hickey said.

Danish regulator raises awareness of helpline

Danish regulator Spillemyndigheden has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the StopSpillet helpline.

Running throughout October and December, the campaign will mainly target men in their 30s and 40s. Research showed fathers of that age may have more difficulty seeking help.

Since its launch in January 2019, StopSpillet has had almost 4,000 conversations with players and their relatives.

“The campaign is intended to show more of what you risk missing out on if you let gambling fill you up too much,” said Anders Dorph, director of Spillemyndigheden.

Light & Wonder launches cancer support campaign

Light & Wonder has partnered with several organisations to launch a new campaign focused on battling cancer.

“Gaming vs Cancer” will seek to raise awareness, funding and support for cancer research, care and community programmes. Global Gaming Women is among the organisations working with Light & Wonder on the initiative.

To support the initiative, Light & Wonder will hold a month-long fundraising campaign to benefit the American Cancer Society. It will match all donations up to $10,000 made through the Light & Wonder Game Changers for Good portal.

“As the leading cross-platform global games company, we recognise both the responsibility and the opportunity we have to make a meaningful impact in the communities where we live, work and play,” said Shannon Demus, CFO Gaming Americas at Light & Wonder.

BetMGM names Schwarz as new COO

BetMGM has announced the appointment of Jarrod Schwarz as its new chief operating officer.

Schwarz moves into the role after serving as the company’s chief product officer for nearly five years. He will now oversee product, customer operations, technology and trading.

Prior to joining BetMGM, he spent more than seven years at Disney, including the launch of ESPN+. He also worked at eBay and Bloomspot, a startup acquired by JP Morgan Chase.

“Jarrod has been an integral part of our incredible team, building BetMGM into one of the most recognisable and successful brands in sports betting and iGaming,” BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said. “I’m confident that this change will ensure we continue to deliver exceptional products and experiences to our players.” 

Evolution launches new slots studio

Evolution has announced the launch of a new slot development studio in the form of Sneaky Slots.

The studio expands the group’s RNG portfolio, with a focus on titles that are “loud and full of character”. It has already rolled out its first game, Nip Tuck, with a new release due each month through the end of the year.

Sneaky Slots joins an extended portfolio of slot brands, which already includes Nolimit City, Red Tiger, NetEnt and Big Time Gaming.

Malcolm Mizzi, head of commercial operations of RNG at Evolution, said: “This is a natural next step for Evolution, creating an exciting new brand from the ground up and leveraging our immense knowledge base of slots development across multiple brands.”

Digitain secures Belgium licence

Digitain is set to expand its services into Belgium after securing an E Category Licence in the country.

The licence enables Digitain to provide its iGaming solutions in line with local requirements in Belgium. Digitain said this forms part of its wider, ongoing expansion strategy.

Digitain holds licences in other key European markets such as the UK, Malta, Romania, Greece and Sweden.

“This latest milestone reflects Digitain’s unwavering commitment to regulatory excellence, partner success and innovative product delivery across global markets,” Digitain said.

CT Interactive grows LatAm presence with Rushbet

CT Interactive has expanded its presence in Latin America through a partnership with Rush Street Interactive and its RushBet brand.

Rushbet will roll out the complete portfolio of games from CT Interactive in both Mexico and Peru. This includes content such as Lucky Clover, 40 Treasures, Win Storm and Big Chilli.

CT Interactive said the partnership underscores its commitment to long-term collaboration and delivering tailored gaming solutions across Latin America.

“Our partnership with Rushbet strengthens our strategy for Latin America,” said Martin Ivanov, COO of CT Interactive. “By delivering our full library of games, we’re bringing high-performing, locally relevant content to a broader audience.”

Winpot partners InsightPlay for player acquisition

Mexico-facing online casino and sportsbook Winpot has entered into a customer-focused partnership with InsightPlay.

Under the deal, InsightPlay will support Winpot with player acquisition, engagement and retention. This will include making use of InsightPlay’s AI technology for personalised, real-time interactions with players.

Powered by the Wiztech platform, Winpot is regarded as one of the leading operators in the Mexican market.

Yoni Sidi, CEO of Winpot, said: “Being able to communicate with players and engage with them in an authentic way is critical to building strong relationships that ultimately lead to them joining our brand and staying with us.”

Vieira joined the IBJR in October 2024, before becoming the trade body’s executive chairman in March this year.

He is leaving to pursue a new professional opportunity in another sector and the IBJR has already begun the process of selecting his successor.

In the interim, current director and advisor André Gelfi will take on the role of executive president. Gelfi is one of the IBJR’s founders and also holds the position of managing partner of Betsson Group in Brazil.

In an IBJR statement on Friday, Vieira said it had been an “honour” to lead the IBJR during such a monumental time for the Brazilian betting sector, which launched its online market on 1 January.

“It was an honour to lead the IBJR at this historic regulatory milestone,” Vieira said.

“I am proud of the role we played in protecting consumers and strengthening the industry’s credibility. I remain confident that the entity will continue to advance this mission.”

Vieira and the IBJR’s fight against illegal gambling

Much of Vieira’s work during his time with the IBJR centred on the illegal market, which is proving to be perhaps the biggest concern for licensed operators in Brazil.

The IBJR expressed its gratitude for Vieira’s achievements in the fight against the illegal market, describing him as a “key figure” in the battle.

Vieira was a key opponent of the Brazil government’s approval of a provisional measure increasing the tax rate on operators’ GGR from 12% to 18%.

The IBJR estimated this could lead to the illegal market’s share of the total sector increasing from 50% to 60%.

In June, Vieira told iGB: “The only way operators will be sustainable in Brazil is to increase the channelisation level and, for that, the fight against the illicit market becomes even more important.”

Last month, the IBJR launched a campaign consisting of ads on radio and TV, as well as social media and airport billboards, which it hopes will push bettors towards licensed offerings.

It has also launched the BetAlert website, which allows players to input the URL of any betting site to find out whether it’s licensed or not.

In the IBJR’s statement announcing his departure, Vieira said the body’s work against the illegal market had “yielded important achievements”.

Fritz will begin his new role with immediate effect, while Molino will take up her position from 1 January 2026. Both appointments have been made from within the MGM group.

Molino will replace current COO Corey Sanders, who will retire on 31 December after over 30 years of service. She is currently president and COO of MGM-owned ARIA and Vdara.

She joined MGM in January 2017 from the US Senate, having served as counsel and chief counsel to former Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid. In addition, she is a non-executive director of MGM China.

“Ayesha is an exceptionally gifted strategic thinker and operator,” MGM President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle said. “She excels at managing through complexity, earning her the respect of her colleagues and peers throughout the company

“Ayesha’s ability to unite teams, drive results and navigate challenges makes her the perfect leader to succeed Corey as COO. I’m confident she will continue to help shape our future growth and success.”

MGM unites responsibilities with Fritz hire

Meanwhile, Fritz will move into his new role having previously served as president of MGM Resorts International Interactive. Here, he works as a strategic advisor to Hornbuckle and is also a member of the BetMGM and LeoVegas board.

Prior to joining MGM, Fritz worked for several multi-national companies including Expedia and McKinsey & Company. He was also head of gaming at IAC.

“Gary has been instrumental in establishing and advancing our digital strategy through acquisitions, strategic partnerships and organic expansion of our BetMGM brand into new international markets like Brazil,” Hornbuckle said.

“He is a visionary leader with keen insights and instincts. His new role will bring together all of digital plus gaming, marketing and advertising as we look to accelerate our omnichannel strategy and unlock significant growth in digital and iGaming.”

The double appointment follows Hornbuckle openly discussing MGM’s future at the Bank of America Securities 2025 Gaming & Lodging Conference. The event came after MGM beat consensus forecasts for both revenue and earnings per share during Q2. Consolidated net revenue of $4.4 billion was a new quarterly record for the company.

Thursby informed the group’s board that he does not intend to stand for re-election. He will formally step down as chair and from the board at Rank’s annual general meeting on 15 October.

Thursby joined the Rank board as a non-executive director in August 2017. He then went on to become chair in October 2019.

Prior to his time with Rank, Thursby was chief executive of the National Bank of Abu Dhabi from 2013 to 2016. He also held various senior roles at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, following 20 years with Standard Chartered Bank.

“For a number of months now I have been reflecting on this exciting inflection point for Rank, with the long-awaited legislative reforms for casinos now being implemented and a digital business which is beginning to scale,” Thursby said. “I believe now is the right time to step down.

“I do so with a combination of pride in the progress we have made, including in terms of governance processes and procedures, and also with confidence that Rank is in excellent shape to write the next exciting chapter of its rich history.”

Rank commences search to replace Thursby

Confirming the news, Rank said a process to identify a replacement is “well advanced”. It added that an appointment is “close”, and an announcement is expected within the next couple of months.

Karen Whitworth, senior independent director at Rank, will serve as interim chair. Lucinda Charles-Jones will become interim senior independent director, and Keith Laslop interim audit committee chair.

Rank CEO John O’Reilly paid tribute to the outgoing Thursby, describing him as a “committed and talented” chair.

“I would like to thank him personally for his unwavering support and for his dedication to the Rank Group and to its stakeholders,” O’Reilly said. “Our recent successes and outlook are due in no small part to his sure-footed guidance and invaluable leadership.”

Positive FY25 at Rank amid changing regulations

The news comes after Rank in August published its FY25 financial results, revealing year-on-year growth. Net gaming revenue rose 8% to £795.4 million ($1.08 billion), with growth apparent across all core segments.

Net profit was also higher, rocketing 248% to £44.6 million. However, in its analysis of the year, Rank noted the impact of new regulations. The statutory levy for research prevention and treatment of problem gambling was introduced from April 2025 in the UK, rising from an existing voluntary rate of 0.1% to 1.1%. A maximum staking limit for online slots play of £5, and £2 for consumers aged under 25, was also implemented in April 2025.

According to Rank, the impact on digital profitability in the final quarter of the year was approximately £1 million. Therefore, it said the expected annualised impact will be in the region of £4 million going forwards.

On the flip side, the other changes in regulation noted by Thursby in his leaving notes have allowed Rank to expand operations. Work is ongoing to install more terminals across its UK estate. The group is also seeking to introduce sports betting at its venues for the first time.

Reporting to CEO Per Widerström, Dixit’s responsibilities will include corporate strategy, M&A and business development.

Dixit joins Evoke after two and a half years with Virgin Media O2. There, he served as director of value creation and commercial strategy, as well as director of consumer commercial strategy.

Prior to this, Dixit was global operations strategy director at Deliveroo. He has also worked for Anheuser-Busch, The Economist, Boston Consulting Group, Accenture and Deloitte.

“Dixit is a proven leader with a wealth of highly relevant experience gained at several global sector-leading organisations,” Widerström said. “He knows what best practice is and how to deliver it.

“I am confident his skills and experience will be invaluable as we continue to build momentum and execute against our focused growth strategy and Value Creation Plan.”

Dixit aims to continue growth at Evoke

Speaking about his appointment, Dixit said he is excited to join Evoke at such an “important stage” in its journey.

“Per and the team have returned the business to sequential quarters of top-line growth, underpinned by a focused market framework, clear growth strategy and transformational Value Creation Plan,” he said.

“I am looking forward to working with my colleagues from across the group to deliver long-term, sustainable growth and value creation.”

The appointment comes after Evoke reported a 3% year-on-year increase in group revenue during H1 2025. The business said growth within its international business offset declines across both the UK and Ireland online gambling and retail segments.

Revenue for the six months to 30 June amounted to £887.8 million ($1.21 billion), ahead of the £862 million posted in H1 last year. This was in line with forecasts published in a trading update in July.

The appointment will take effect on 1 October, the day after Bomhard steps down as CEO of tobacco company Imperial Brands.

Bomhard, who has served in his current role for five years, will also step down as an executive director at Imperial at the end of the year.

The company announced earlier this year that Bomhard planned to retire from his position this autumn.

Consumer brands experience

Bomhard previously held senior positions at a number of consumer goods companies, including Bacardi, Cadbury, Unilever Food Solutions Europe, Diageo and Procter & Gamble. He currently serves as a non-executive director of catering provider Compass Group.

Flutter Entertainment’s chair of the board, John Bryant, said that Bomhard was identified following “an extensive search” to fill the role on the operator’s board.

“Stefan has significant experience working in international environments, particularly in the operation, sales and marketing of well-known consumer brands,” Bryant said.

International growth

Flutter reported its Q2 earnings last month, with group revenue increasing by 16% to $4.19 billion.

Flutter’s international segment saw revenue rise by 15% in Q2 to $2.4 billion. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment also increased 13% to $591 million, fuelled by a 63% (on a constant currency basis) uptick in revenue in Southern Europe.

Slaney replaces Moti Malul, who has already stepped down from the role. Malul steered NeoGames through its acquisition by Aristocrat, with the former being combined with Anazi to create Aristocrat’s Interactive division last year.

Slaney served most recently as CEO of iGaming at Light & Wonder. He left the position in November 2024 after more than three years in the role.

His career has also included leadership positions at NYX, SG Digital and customer data science company Dunnhumby.

Slaney is expected to begin his new role on 3 November, subject to regulatory pre-approvals. Meanwhile, Malul will leave the business in March 2026 after the conclusion of his notice period and other contractual obligations.

iLottery focus for Aristocrat Interactive

Aristocrat group CEO and managing director Trevor Croker hailed Slaney’s “deep igaming experience and track record of operational delivery”.

Croker added that Slaney’s focus would include “building on our market-leading position in iLottery, in line with our strategy”.

In July, Aristocrat Interactive announced a “landmark” six-year deal to provide iLottery services to the Michigan Lottery. The agreement represented the enterprise’s eighth North American iLottery deal.

The business had previously cited sharp iLottery growth in North Carolina and Virginia, as well as Alberta in Canada, for driving an 83.8% increase in Aristocrat Interactive revenue in 2024 – from $182.6 million to $335.7 million.

French to replace Toohey in expanded role

Aristocrat has also confirmed that Natalie Toohey is stepping down as the group’s chief corporate affairs officer after almost seven years in the role.

Toohey is succeeded by Barry French, who is taking on the expanded role of chief corporate affairs and marketing officer. French has started in the new role with immediate effect, with Toohey staying on as a consultant to help with the transition.

French has more than 35 years of experience in the telecommunications, transport, aerospace, defence and technology sectors. He was previously chief marketing and communications officer at satellite service provider Inmarsat.

Croker said that the global marketing function of French’s new role would help to “better steward our brands and unlock more strategic benefits”.

He added: “Both [French and Slaney] are values-led leaders with collaborative and customer-centric mindsets”.

Röhr will commence the temporary role from 1 November and oversee Spelinspektionen until further notice. He has worked as chief legal officer at the regulator since June 2008.

Prior to joining the Spelinspektionen, Röhr spent several years working in the court system in Sweden. This included a spell at the Court of Appeal in Stockholm.

His appointment comes after Spelinspektionen confirmed that Rosenberg would be stepping down as director general on 31 October, ahead of her becoming director and head of the Swedish Real Estate Agents’ Inspection Authority. She has led the body as its director general since 2017.

“Johan Röhr has extensive experience in the business,” Spelinspektionen Chairman Claes Norgren said. “He will ensure continuity in management. We will continue as planned and at an unabated pace while waiting for a new director general to be appointed.”

Ryker and Bitx Operations banned in Sweden

In other news, Spelinspektionen has issued banning orders to Ryker and Bitx Operations for targeting players in Sweden without a licence.

Ryker and Bitx Operations operate several online casino brands. However, neither has been approved to offer iGaming to players in the country.

As such, the regulator said they both breached national law and must cease all activity with immediate effect.

“Spelinspektionen prioritises measures that contribute to games being played by operators that have a Swedish gaming licence,” Spelinspektionen said.

Sweden Q2: gambling revenue tops SEK7.02 billion

Spelinspektionen also recently published financial data for the regulated Swedish gambling market in Q2. Total gambling revenue increased 1.9% year-on-year to SEK7.02 billion ($744 million).

Commercial online gaming, covering areas such as internet-based casino and sports betting, drew the most revenue. In total, online gaming revenue climbed 1.4% to SEK4.63 billion.

Meanwhile, revenue from state-owned lottery and physical slot machines increased 10.2% to SEK1.42 billion.

Lotteries classed as “gaming for public benefit” generated SEK846 million, down 5.3%, while revenue from bingo games under the public benefit umbrella was level at SEK49 million.

A further SEK63 million came from land-based commercial gaming, including restaurant casinos. In addition, SEK8 million came from the final few weeks of activity at the last Casino Cosmopol land-based venue.

Rush Street Interactive names Tyagi as CTO

Rush Street Interactive has announced the appointment of Shubham Tyagi as its new chief technology officer.

Tyagi joins the company having worked in the technology sector for more than two decades. He was most recently CTO for Warner Bros Discovery Sports.

He joins the senior leadership team at RSI, reporting directly to CEO Richard Schwartz. RSI said the appointment represents its commitment to securing top-tier senior leadership.

“Shubham stood out not only for his experience and expertise, but also for his ability to build trust, drive alignment and scale platforms that serve millions of customers around the world,” Schwartz said.

Sanders exits as COO of MGM Resorts

Another senior management change will see Corey Sanders depart as chief operating officer at MGM Resorts International.

Sanders has worked at MGM for more than 30 years but will step down at the end of 2025. He will remain, however, as an advisor to President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle until December 2026.

During his time at MGM, Sanders served in a series of roles. In addition to COO, he was chief financial officer and treasurer, as well as COO for MGM’s core brands.

“It’s impossible to overstate what Corey has meant to this company over the last 30-plus years,” Hornbuckle said. “He has been a constant presence, providing foundational leadership for all the key moments that have defined our history.”

New iGaming consultancy targets ‘cost-effective’ licences

A new iGaming consultancy has launched to meet demand for “cost-effective” gambling licences.

The new venture, iGaming Licensing, is from the team behind regulatory service provider Global Gaming Solutions. It will focus on helping clients secure “affordable” licences in regions such as Anjouan, Nevis and Tobique.

Brothers Mark and Tom O’Neill will lead the company, supported by partners James Lees and Rachel Booth. Among them, the quartet boasts several decades of experience in iGaming regulation.

“With a compliance-first ethos, a carefully designed recommendations platform and a reputation for excellence, the group is positioning itself as the go-to partner for businesses seeking trusted licensing solutions in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape,” Mark O’Neill said.

Gaming Corps integrates full portfolio with Light & Wonder

Gaming Corps has entered into a global distribution agreement for its iGaming content with Light & Wonder.

The deal will see Gaming Corps’ full games portfolio made available via Light & Wonder’s content marketplace ecosystem. This covers slots, crash, mine, table and plinko titles.

Light & Wonder’s content marketplace hosts more than 6,700 titles and handles over five billion game rounds each month.

“This deal with Light & Wonder is a significant moment for us,” Gaming Corps CEO Juha Kauppinen said. “Their content marketplace is one of the leading distribution networks in the industry. This agreement puts our content in front of new audiences in key regulated markets.”

Bwin scores Spanish partnership with NFL

Bwin has announced an official regional partnership with the National Football League in Spain.

Under the multi-year deal, Bwin will serve as the NFL’s official sports betting partner in the country.

The agreement comes ahead of the NFL hosting its first official game in Spain. The game in Madrid on 16 November will see the Washington Commanders face the Miami Dolphins at Bernabéu Stadium.

“We’re delighted to have Bwin on board as a new partner in the market, helping to create unique and exciting experiences for our growing fan base in Spain,” said Brett Gosper, head of Europe and APAC at the NFL.

Revenue for the three months to the end of June amounted to SEK7.02 billion ($744 million). This edged ahead of Q1 last year and was 5.9% above Q1 this year, according to figures from the regulator.

Commercial online gaming, covering areas such as internet-based casino and sports betting, drew the most revenue. In total, revenue from online gaming topped SEK4.63 billion, a year-on-year rise of 1.4%.

The increase in online gaming revenue came despite the sports betting market having been impacted by a tough comparable period in 2024. Q2 included the early stages of football’s Euro 2024, which led to increased betting activity in Sweden.

Double-digit growth for state-owned lottery and slots in Sweden

Away from online gambling, revenue from state-owned lottery and physical slot machines also increased. The SEK1.42 billion was 10.2% ahead of the previous year, with this sector seeing more growth than any other segment.

Meanwhile, revenue from lotteries classed as “gaming for public benefit” was 5.3% lower at SEK846 million. However, bingo games under the public benefit umbrella reported SEK49 million in revenue, level with last year. A further SEK63 million came from land-based commercial gaming, including restaurant casinos.

Finally, the remaining SEK8 million was generated from the final few weeks of activity at the last Casino Cosmopol land-based venue. Svenska Spel closed its final physical casino in April, just a few weeks after Sweden’s government voted to abolish land-based casinos. 

Casinos are set to be banned from 1 January 2026. Technically, Svenska Spel could have kept the venue open until the end of 2025. However, it closed ahead of time following a change in ownership instruction in Stockholm.

Rosenberg exits as director general of Spelinspektionen

In other news, Spelinspektionen announced that Camilla Rosenberg is to step down as its director general.

Rosenberg will exit the regulator on 31 October, ahead of her becoming director and head of the Swedish Real Estate Agents’ Inspection Authority. She has led Spelinspektionen as its director general since 2017.

“I would like to thank Camilla for her meritorious work at Spelinspektionen during a time of profound changes in the gambling market,” Spelinspektionen Chairman Claes Norgren said. “I congratulate her on her new position.

“Operations will continue as planned and at an unabated pace while waiting for a new director general to be appointed.”

On Wednesday the company announced the role will be filled by Keith Whyte, who served as executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling for over 25 years prior to his departure in January. Since then, and up to the FanDuel announcement, he has been consulting via his firm, Safer Gambling Strategies.

In the role, Whyte will “offer insights on the company’s Responsible Gaming strategy and programmes, including identifying new opportunities for advocacy and advancing partnerships, as well as leading and developing various events to further a culture of Responsible Gaming”, according to a company press release.

Whyte will also contribute to FanDuel’s Conversations About Betting educational programme. Designed in partnership with EPIC Global Solutions and ambassadors Randy Livingston and Anita Ondine Smith, the programme publishes various resources to educate young people about RG.

“We are honoured to have Keith Whyte join our team as a strategic advisor for our responsible gaming programming,” said Cory Fox, FanDuel’s senior vice president of public policy and sustainability. “At FanDuel, we are committed to elevating the industry standard for Responsible Gaming. We’re excited to welcome Keith to our Responsible Gaming team and are confident his experience and subject matter knowledge will further strengthen our leadership in this space.”

Whyte added that he is “thrilled to join the team and contribute my experience to further advancing FanDuel’s efforts in promoting safe and responsible play”.

Whyte to help RG efforts as FanDuel expands

Despite its market-leading position, FanDuel finds itself in the most competitive environment it has faced. Its top rival DraftKings has been on its heels and up-and-comers like Fanatics are rising as well. Grey-area offerings like DFS 2.0 and prediction markets also lurk in the background.

As such, the company is expanding in any way it can. In just the last month, FanDuel has announced:

• A prediction market deal with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange
• A new peer-to-peer fantasy sports offering
• A sports betting market access agreement for Missouri

This multifaceted expansion highlights the need for RG education and resources. The addition of Whyte, who has been at the forefront of discussions about emerging offerings, legislation and regulation, should bolster those efforts.

“I know this to be the case, that the industry can help develop great tools for prevention, education, all that. I’ve seen that arc in the legalised gambling industry,” Whyte told iGB in July in response to a question about industry expansion. “We can apply all those hard-won lessons over the decades to all the arguably not legal gambling avenues.

“Teaching this next generation of kids how to make more informed choices, how to think critically about the marketing of everything that’s gamified, has got to be the solution.”

Company has hired several industry figures

Whyte is not the first high-profile industry figure snapped up by FanDuel in recent years. In late 2023 and early 2024, the company made a slew of hires related to its tribal gaming efforts, particularly in California.

FanDuel was one of the principle backers of Proposition 27, a costly California mobile sports betting initiative that the state’s tribes fought and which resoundingly failed in the 2022 election. After that, the company hired Sequoyah Simermeyer, Rikki Tanenbaum and Frank Sizemore in short order.

Simermeyer previously served as chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission. Tennanbaum was president of gaming for the Stonarch Group, with previous experience with the powerful San Manuel tribe, which is where Sizemore also came from.

“It mattered to me to join a team where I could use my background as a former regulator, legislative staffer and public servant to Indian country,” Simermeyer said in a release at the time.

“FanDuel is the leader in mobile gaming and has helped shape the rise of the legalised and regulated marketplace in the US. Mobile gaming remains a very young and dynamic industry and I’m excited to help the team build out our capacity to work within Indian country nationally to take advantage of opportunities ahead.”

Funding confirmed for Dutch gambling addiction programme

Dutch regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has confirmed the extension of a gambling harms, addiction and prevention programme in the country.

KSA will continue to work with healthcare research and healthcare innovation organisation ZonMw on the initiative.

The programme has also secured an additional €21 million ($25 million) in funding. This will be used to fund independent research to improve the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction.

“The protection of players is a key priority for the KSA,” Michel Groothuizen, KSA chair, said on 28 August. “By continuing this programme, we are joining forces to gather more necessary knowledge on this subject, so that we can prevent gambling harm as much as possible.”

Trio of appointments for Western Australia regulator

New appointments have been confirmed at the Gaming and Wagering Commission (GWC) of Western Australia (WA).

Former WA Police Assistant Commissioner Paul Steel, lawyer Melanie Cave and former minister Bill Johnston will all join the body. The trio of appointments was announced by the state’s government.

Steel became the first full-time member at the commission. He will continue to oversee casino activities to ensure operations are lawful and responsible

Cave brings experience in commercial and property law. In addition, Johnston joins the GWC after 17 years working as a minister and retiring from parliament prior to the March 2025 state election.

BCLC hits back at anti-money laundering ruling

Meanwhile in Canada, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) has appealed a ruling by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) over a notice of violation.

FINTRAC delivered findings of alleged administrative deficiencies on anti-money laundering legislation at the BCLC. The findings did not include allegations of any criminal offence.

The BCLC said it conducted a review of the findings, providing information to support its case against FINTRAC. However, FINTRAC elected to uphold the decision, with the BCLC seeking a repeal of this ruling.

“We take responsibilities under Canadian anti-money laundering legislation very seriously,” the BCLC said. “We are confident in its position we have fully complied with all legal and regulatory obligations.”

MGM to increase NFL responsible gambling messaging

Turning to the US, MGM Resorts International and BetMGM will increase responsible gambling messaging inside NFL stadiums for the upcoming season.

For the third consecutive year, GameSense messaging will appear on LED ribbons at selected stadia. Also new for the 2025 season, these messages will be featured prominently on stadium scoreboards during pre-game activities and also within gameday magazines.

GameSense is a responsible gaming programme first developed and licensed to MGM Resorts in 2017 by the BCLC. The programme focuses on engagements with guests and customers about how to gamble responsibly.

“Placing GameSense in league stadiums gives us direct access to millions of fans each week,” said Rhea Loney, chief compliance officer at BetMGM. “It’s a powerful platform to promote public awareness and amplify our commitment to provide a safe and informed gambling experience.”

Bet365 secures Maryland sports betting licence

Finally this week, Bet365, through its Hillside parent company, secured an online sports betting licence in Maryland.

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission signed off on the licence and Bet365 has since rolled out its online sports betting platform in the state.

With the addition of Bet365, there are now 12 mobile and online sportsbooks active in Maryland. This is in addition to 13 retail sportsbook locations and Riverboat on the Potomac, in partnership with Fanatics.

Bet365 is now active in 15 jurisdictions across the US.

Hargrave will take on the role after Zoë Osmond steps down as CEO on 30 September. She will head up day-to-day operations and lead the managed closure of the organisation.

In July, GambleAware announced it will halt all activities and transition its work to the British government by the end of March 2026. This followed the introduction of a new statutory levy earlier this year.

All work historically delivered by the charity will transition to the government and new commissioners across England, Scotland and Wales. This will be in line with the fresh approach to tackling gambling harm in the UK.

GambleAware said Hargrave becoming transition CEO, and indeed Osmond stepping back from her role, reflects a shift within the charity from “strategic oversight to operational delivery”.

“I want to take the opportunity to thank Zoë for her demonstrable and steadfast leadership,” GambleAware Chair of Trustees Andy Boucher said. “I also want to welcome and congratulate Anna on her new role.

“Over the next several months we have some important delivery and legacy ambitions. I am very confident that under Anna’s leadership we will achieve the positive ending for the charity we are all working towards.

“With a renewed focus on handover activity until the end of March 2026 we will continue to ensure there is a smooth transition to the new statutory system to address gambling harm across Great Britain.”

Hargrave set for ‘critical’ role in GambleAware transition

Hargrave will be no stranger to life at GambleAware. She has served as chief commissioning and strategy officer, as well as deputy CEO, since November 2021.

Prior to this, Hargrave held numerous senior roles across the NHS. This included almost four years with NHS South Warwickshire, spending time as chief strategy officer and chief transformation officer.

“The final six months are critical for the smooth transfer and transition to the new system,” Hargrave said. “I look forward to continuing to work with the new commissioners as they get to grips with their new responsibilities within the statutory system and will work with them to ensure their efforts build upon the current system’s achievements and insights to ensure learnings are carried forward.”

Osmond will exit GambleAware after seven years with the charity. She has worked as CEO since 2021, leading the organisation through several major developments, including the recommissioning of the National Gambling Support.

“It has been a huge privilege to lead and work at GambleAware over the past seven years,” Osmond said. “The sector has undergone significant transformation during this time and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, particularly our commitment to embedding the voices of the lived experience community at the heart of everything we do.

“Few charities can truly say they’ve delivered on their founding mission, but GambleAware and the exceptional team behind it have played a pivotal role in reframing gambling harms as a public health issue and helped to shape the foundations of the new gambling harms prevention and treatment system.

“I’m delighted that Anna will be taking the reins for the next critical period, leading the charity through the completion of its transition to the new system.”

The mass exit began with Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp stepping down in protest over blocked sanctions against Israel, according to NOS. He was shortly followed by all ministers and state secretaries from Nieuw Sociaal Contract (NSC).

Veldkamp said his proposals to take further action against Israel were being blocked by other ministers. Such measures would be in response to Israel’s latest military offensive in Gaza City. Veldkamp also referenced the approval of new settlement plans in the West Bank.

“As a cabinet, we have already taken a number of steps,” he said. “The Netherlands has nothing to be ashamed of. I’ve felt resistance within the cabinet for more measures in connection with what is happening in Gaza City and the West Bank.

“I have insufficient confidence that things will change in the coming weeks and months if I am so limited in my ability to implement the policy I deem necessary. I am going home and will write a letter of resignation.”

Unknown impact on Dutch gambling regulatory changes

Struycken was among a raft of other ministers and secretaries to join Veldkamp in resigning over the matter. In his secretarial role, Struycken played a part in gambling regulation changes in the Netherlands.

In February, Struycken said a new gambling bill was expected by the end of the year. At the time, he said this could include measures such as increasing the age limit for higher-risk products like online slots.

However, with Struycken resigning from his role, he takes a step back from the regulatory process. This leaves the status of the new bill very much up in the air.

There were some concerns about the approach Struycken could take to changing gambling laws. His party, the NSC, previously announced plans to abolish online gambling in its manifesto.

Even before the resignations, the Netherlands was already facing political uncertainty. On 3 June, the Dutch government collapsed when Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right Party for Freedom, withdrew from a four-party coalition. This led to the calling for a snap election, which is set for 29 October.

Mike de Graaff of BetComply said that, post-election, politicians may seek to relax restrictions to improve the market’s long-term position.

“By having super restrictive markets that you cannot really flourish in, it makes it very difficult for operators to bring any innovation to the market,” he said.

Previous incumbent Dean Shannon stepped down on 30 June, agreeing it was time for change. Vouris was given the role on an interim basis while the process to appoint a permanent CEO commenced.

But Vouris has now been given the role permanently after a global talent search. He brings with him 17 years of leadership experience in wagering, operations and innovation.

Vouris spent nearly 10 years with Tabcorp, including a role as general manager of its wagering business, before serving as chief operating officer of Entain Esports between October 2021 and March 2024.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Vouris voiced his excitement at taking on the role of permanent CEO.

“I am grateful for this opportunity, and the responsibility that I have been given,” Vouris said.

“My priority is to embed a ‘win, but not at all costs’ culture and get back to the basics of selling bets. I will also be focusing on leading innovation in our sector while protecting our customers.”

Stella David, Entain group CEO, believes Vouris is the right man to lead the company’s ANZ business. She said of the appointment: “Andrew stood out as the right leader for Entain ANZ.

“His leadership as interim CEO has demonstrated his commitment to our people, our partners and to building a sustainable, compliance-led and customer-focused culture.

“Andrew has made great progress since he arrived at Entain and I am very much looking forward to continuing working with him.”

Entain ANZ ‘well-positioned for growth’

Vouris’ permanent appointment comes at an interesting juncture for Entain ANZ, with ongoing legal proceedings in Australia and a new monopoly in New Zealand.

Entain reported a 7% year-on-year drop in Australian online revenue during its Q2 earnings.

On the earnings call in August, David addressed its ongoing legal situation with Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (Austrac).

Proceedings were initiated against Entain in December over “serious and systematic” non-compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws.

David said a £50 million ($67.4 million) balance-sheet provision in Entain’s Q2 earnings was an accounting entry, rather than a reserve set aside for a possible penalty from Austrac.

Mediation between the two parties is still ongoing, with no update on the proceedings forthcoming until those discussions have concluded.

TAB NZ granted online betting monopoly in New Zealand

More positive news for Entain in New Zealand saw its partner TAB NZ granted a monopoly over online sports and racing betting in June.

New legislation came into effect on 28 June and Entain has committed to injecting NZ$100 million ($58.5 million) into New Zealand’s racing sector. This comes after penning a 25-year partnership with TAB NZ in March 2023 to provide it with wagering, broadcast functions and funding.

Further opportunity appears to be on the horizon, too, with New Zealand set to launch a liberalised online casino market in 2026. TAB NZ has already shown an interest in entering.

Vouris is enthused by the potential of Entain ANZ, explaining: “I am excited about the future of our business and, while there is still much more to do, we are well positioned for growth.”

Spajic will start his new role at Allwyn Digital on 1 September. He will be responsible for advancing the company’s iGaming, sportsbook and digital product capabilities.

Spajic will be based in Lucerne, where Allwyn’s headquarters are located, and he will report to Allwyn CEO Robert Chvatal.

With its new Allwyn Digital business, the company hopes to evolve in a more digitally led way and provide bettors with engaging experiences.

Spajic expressed his excitement at joining Allwyn Digital in a company press release on Thursday, commenting that “Allwyn has a bold ambition of transforming the way players engage with lotteries, gaming and casual entertainment.

“Allwyn Digital is the natural next step in that journey – to be more seamlessly connected, digitally integrated and innovative – and I look forward to working with all the team to deliver for players and for the business.”

Chvatal believes Spajic’s appointment will prove to be a “transformative step” for Allwyn, utilising his extensive experience.

“His expertise perfectly aligns with our commitment to continuously enhancing the player experience across our digital portfolio of products and games,” Chvatal said in the press release. “I am delighted to welcome him to Allwyn in this exciting new chapter.”

20 years of gambling experience for Spajic

Spajic boasts over 20 years of experience in online gambling. He previously served as senior vice president and managing director of Hard Rock International’s online gaming and sports betting business.

He then became president of iGaming for Great Canadian Entertainment, while also acting as an advisor to Apollo Global Management.

In July 2023, Spajic joined Betfred USA as CEO. The company subsequently closed its US online operations, shutting down in its final market, Pennsylvania, in July.

The appointment took effect on Friday. Lee fills the role once held by Tan Hee Teck, who went on to become CEO in May 2022. The position has been vacant for more than three years.

In a filing to the Singapore Exchange, Genting also announced that Ang Suat Ching will succeed Lee as CFO of Genting Singapore while retaining her current role as CFO of Resorts World Sentosa.

Driving much-needed growth

In a May report, DBS Bank suggested that Genting Singapore would look outside the ranks for new leadership. Lee, however, is an insider and a company veteran.

She joined the group in 2010 just as it prepared to launch RWS, one of the city’s two integrated resorts along with Marina Bay Sands. She has since held “various senior leadership positions”, according to a company statement, including president of Resorts World Sentosa from September 2023 and CEO of RWS since June 2025.

“In her new role, she will be responsible for driving execution of strategic initiatives, operational performance and sustainable growth across the group,” the company stated. She will report to Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, executive chairman and acting CEO of the company.

The dual appointments of Lee and Ang “reflect our commitment to leadership renewal as the group enters its next phase of growth”, said Lim. “Shi Ruh brings a proven track record of sound decision-making, strategic discipline and a clear understanding of the group’s long-term priorities, which will be invaluable in her expanded role” as president and COO.

“We also welcome Suat Ching to the executive team, whose financial expertise will support our long-term value creation.”

Second-half improvement expected

Lee assumes her new roles amid lacklustre performance by Genting Singapore. In the first quarter, it reported adjusted EBITDA of S236 million ($183 million), down 36% year-on-year. DBS attributed the shortfall to “softer-than-expected non-gaming revenue” as well as weaker VIP demand. Hotel occupancy plunged 72% from the previous quarter, due to “weaker tourist arrivals [and] broader macroeconomic softness in the region”.

Last November, the Singapore Gambling Regulatory Authority announced that it would renew RWS’ licence for just two years, instead of the usual three. It based its decision on RWS’ “unsatisfactory” performance from 2021 through 2023, as the market continued to recover from Covid-19.

An ambitious S$6.8 billion expansion project could turn the company’s fortunes around. RWS 2.0 is described as a “waterfront lifestyle complex” with two luxury hotels and a Minion Land theme park at Universal Studios Singapore. Starting in July, a full month of celebratory events kicked off the opening of the new Singapore Oceanarium, an “aquarium-based conservation institution”.

The second half of 2025 will bring Weave, a 20,000 sqm space featuring more than 40 lifestyle and premium brands distributed across three levels. Also in the works: new dining options, an 88-metre light sculpture and a panoramic mountain trail. The massive expansion is expected to be complete in 2030.

Despite the recent challenges, DBS maintains a “buy” on Genting Singapore shares.

“While we anticipate a softer 2Q25 due to higher promotional costs ahead of these launches, we expect EBITDA margins to improve sequentially in 2H25 with increased visitor flow to the new attractions and hotel,” according to the bank.

Raketech appoints new chair

Raketech has appointed Kathryn Moore Baker (main image) as chair of the board of directors following an extraordinary general meeting.

Shareholders formally approved all proposals from the board of directors and the nomination committee.

Moore Baker replaces Ulrik Bengtsson as chair, while Magnus Alebo becomes a new member of the board. Moore Baker is formerly the chair of Catena Media and was a board member at GiG between 2021 and 2023.

Shareholders also approved the proposal to introduce provisions for squeeze-out rights. The board has also been authorised to repurchase up to 25% of the group’s own shares before the 2026 annual general meeting.

Georgia hits gambling exclusion milestone

Georgia’s national database of those excluded from gambling has surpassed 30,000 individuals for the first time.

Figures released by the nation’s Revenue Service show that 30,451 people are listed in the registry, up nearly 4,000 since early May. Of these, 59 were added by court order while the vast majority (30,392) voluntarily restricted themselves from gambling.

According to Georgia Today, people listed in the database are banned from participating in all forms of gambling, including online platforms and physical establishments. Under Georgian law, registration is valid for five years.

New commissioner in Alderney

Alderney’s Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) has selected Guernsey’s financial crime lead, Richard Walker, to replace departing stalwart Jeremy Thompson among its four strong lineup of superintendents.

Walker led the Guernsey government’s interagency response to last year’s Moneyval mutual evaluation of the Bailiwick where the AGCC was one of the two AML/CFT supervisors assessed. He is the first new commissioner to be appointed in 15 years.

The chairman of the commissioners, Lord Faulkner of Worcester, said: “This is a landmark appointment for the AGCC.

“We looked across a broad field of possible candidates from many sectors. But it was clear after our conversations with Richard Walker that he has unmatched knowledge in areas that are vital to the continuing success of the AGCC.”

Annexio surrenders IOM B2C licence

Annexio Limited is to cease taking bets under its Isle of Man gaming licence as part of a strategic realignment of its regulatory structure.

The Isle of Man-headquartered group cited the cumulative cost and complexity of maintaining multiple licences globally as the main reason for its decision.

Annexio continues to hold active B2C licences under the UK Gambling Commission, the Jersey Gambling Commission and in Australia’s Northern Territory. It said these jurisdictions will remain its primary regulatory bases going forward.

Annexio’s brands include LottoGo and the Affiliate Empire lottery affiliate programme.

Davies will take over as chair on 1 September, replacing the outgoing Jeremy Cooper, who had been in the role since June 2018.

Davies served as the Conservative MP for Shipley between 2005 and 2024 and, during his time in government, he was a consistent advocate of gambling in the UK, sitting on the Culture, Media and Sports Select Committee.

After being ousted as Shipley’s MP in last year’s general election, Davies succeeded Russ Wiseman as the chairman of Star Sports Group of Companies.

Davies is “honoured” by his appointment as GBGB chair, stating horse racing has played a key part in his life since his childhood, when his mother ran a Doncaster betting shop.

“The sport has a very bright future ahead and I would like to thank the GBGB board for putting their faith in me,” Davies said. “I look forward to working with tracks, owners, trainers and our wider stakeholders as we safeguard the future of our sport and ensure it thrives for many years to come.”

Davies also thanked Cooper for his GBGB leadership over his seven years in charge, with the outgoing chair confident his replacement will continue his work in supporting the greyhound racing sector.

“Throughout the appointment process, Sir Philip showed himself to be a fervent supporter of licensed greyhound racing,” Cooper explained. “I know that this appointment will be welcomed across the licensed racing community and I wish Sir Philip all the very best as he begins his tenure.”

Mark Bird to continue as GBGB CEO

Alongside Davies’ appointment, the GBGB also confirmed current CEO Mark Bird will remain in his role for a further two years, despite previously announcing his intention to retire this year.

On 3 January, the GBGB released a statement saying Bird would retire in April after seven years at the helm.

However, the GBGB has invited Bird to continue as CEO, an invitation he has accepted.

Davies is “very pleased” Bird has decided to stay on, saying: “He is much respected across the sport and by our many stakeholders in government and the betting industry. 

“I look forward to working with Mark as we continue the work he and the rest of the board have begun.”

Bird added: “This is an important and exciting time for GBGB and licensed racing and it is vital that there is as much stability and continuity as possible within the organisation.”

“Securing long-term, sustainable funding from the betting industry remains a priority and I am confident that under Sir Philip’s leadership we can make significant progress together.”

The future of greyhound racing in the UK

Doubt was cast over the future of greyhound racing in the UK earlier this year, when the Welsh government announced it was moving ahead with a ban on the sport “as soon as practically possible”.

The Betting and Gaming Council expressed it was “deeply disappointed” with the decision, while in May, the GBGB issued a claim for a judicial review into the move.

On 15 July, the Welsh government reaffirmed its intention to ban greyhound racing in its year three progress report for its Animal Welfare Plan.

Notably however, the UK government doesn’t appear to be following suit, with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy telling parliament there are “no plans” for a ban on greyhound racing across the rest of the UK.

Davies is hopeful of a bright future for the sport, saying: “Licensed greyhound racing is a fantastic sport which has held an important place in the fabric of our country for almost a century.

“I know just how important greyhound racing is to local communities and what an important contribution it makes – both economically and socially.”

Pickup will officially join the omnichannel lottery business on 24 November this year. His appointment is subject to certain regulatory approvals in relevant jurisdictions in Australia.

An experienced executive, Pickup has led Allwyn North America since March 2018. This included before it rebranded from Camelot Illinois after its acquisition by Allwyn in January 2023.

Prior to this, Pickup served as the chief executive of Lotto New Zealand between March 2012 and December 2017. This followed an earlier spell with the business between August 2003 and March 2008, during which he held several roles.

Aside from this, Pickup had spells with GTECH Interactive and IGT, as well as Ace Interactive.

“I am honoured by the appointment and excited to join the Lottery Corporation at such a pivotal time,” Pickup said. “The Australian lottery market has tremendous potential for innovation and growth.

“I look forward to working with the talented team at the Lottery Corporation to deliver value for shareholders while enhancing the lottery experience for millions of customers across Australia.”

Pickup replaces outgoing van der Merwe

The appointment comes after Sue van der Merwe, the company’s current CEO and managing director, announced her retirement in March. She will step down having led the business for more than three years.

As part of her exit plan, van der Merwe will continue in her role until Pickup joins, working with the board to help ensure a smooth transition.

Lottery Corporation Chairman Doug McTaggart paid tribute to the outgoing van der Merwe. He said: “She has had a long and successful career in lotteries which has spanned almost 35 years. This includes leading the Lottery Corporation over the past three years.

“Her deep experience and expertise have helped us become the leading operator of lottery and keno games in Australia and one of the best performing lottery businesses in the world.”

On the new appointment, McTaggart added: “Having held senior leadership roles in technology, product management and game management, Wayne brings a diverse skill set and understanding of high-performing lotteries businesses.

“He is a high-calibre appointment who takes over from Sue at an exciting time for the Lottery Corporation, its shareholders and its customers.”

Three years since Tabcorp demerger

The Lottery Corporation was born out of a demerger from Tabcorp, which completed in June 2022.

Tabcorp announced plans to spin off its Lotteries and Keno arm in July 2021 after a strategic review considered several structural and ownership options. The group eventually elected to retain its wagering arm and spin off the lotteries business.

This resulted in two separate companies being formed. First was the Lottery Corporation, comprising most of the former Tatts business, but without gaming services. The second was named New Tabcorp and includes the wagering and media arm alongside gaming services.

Alexander Pechtold exits as chair of Nederlandse Loterij

Nederlandse Loterij has announced the planned departure of Chairman Alexander Pechtold after more than four years in the role.

Pechtold was recently reappointed to a second four-year term as chairman. However, after he was appointed mayor of the municipality of Delft, Pechtold decided he will step down from the lottery.

He will remain in the role until 1 January 2026. Nederlandse Loterij will now commence a search for a suitable successor.

“I leave behind an organisation that is ready for the future, with a clear positioning, an ambitious strategy, and enthusiastic and driven employees,” Pechtold said.

EveryMatrix extends US presence with Boyd

EveryMatrix has expanded its presence in the US by launching content in partnership with Boyd Interactive in New Jersey.

Boyd Interactive brands Resorts and Mohegan will have access to EveryMatrix’s library of exclusive titles from its in-house studios. Titles from Fantasma Games and Armadillo Studios will be made available via integration with SlotMatrix.

The SlotMatrix game aggregation platform features more than 37,000 games from over 350 studios.

EveryMatrix entered the US in February this year by partnering with betPARX, also in New Jersey. It has also rolled out several games in North America this year such as Glorious Diamonds.

Kambi names Lenoble as Latin America sales head

Kambi Group has appointed Mateo Lenoble as head of sales in Latin America.

An experienced professional, Lenoble joins Kambi after 10 years at Sportradar. He had roles there as director of sales and most recently vice president of account management.

Kambi said the new hire reinforces its commitment to expanding its footprint across Latin America. The provider offers a range of sports betting products and services in the region.

“The region is full of opportunity,” Lenoble said. “Kambi’s reputation for product excellence, flexibility and regulatory expertise positions us perfectly for success.”

Eddy takes chief revenue role at Yolo Group

Another new appointment is Stephanie Eddy, who has joined Yolo Group as chief revenue officer.

Eddy will oversee commercial performance across key regions and strategic channels within the Yolo Entertainment division.

She joins Yolo after more than 11 years with Betway. Eddy was most recently commercial development director after serving in various other positions during her time with the business.

“Steph is a proven leader with the commercial instincts and strategic vision that align perfectly with our ambitions,” Yolo Group CEO Matthew D’Emanuele said. “We are thrilled to welcome her to our leadership team.”

Stake.com scores partnership with football star Evra

Stake.com has signed former professional footballer Patrice Evra as a new global ambassador.

Evra will work with Stake.com on sports promotions and offer betting tips to customers. He will also take part in various VIP experiences run by the operator.

Capped 81 times by France, Evra played for several major clubs during his career. He is best known for his time with English Premier League side Manchester United, for whom he played between 2006 and 2014.

“With five Premier League titles, three League Cups and the 2008 UEFA Champions League wins under his belt, we’re beyond excited to have this champion as part of the Stake family,” Stake.com said.

Yolo Group confirms senior changes

Yolo Group has announced several changes to its management team, including appointing Lara Falzon as CEO of its B2B brands.

Falzon will oversee brands such as the Hub88 aggregation platform and flagship live casino provider Live88. Her remit will also cover Odds88 and OneTouch.

Meanwhile, Yolo Group has named Stephanie Eddy as chief revenue officer of its B2C arm, Yolo Entertainment. Eddy joins after more than a decade with Betway.

In her new role, Eddy will oversee Yolo Entertainment’s commercial performance across key regions and strategic channels.

Caesars rolls out universal digital wallet in Nevada

Caesars Entertainment has launched a new universal digital wallet on its Caesars Sportsbook app in Nevada.

The operator said this upgrade streamlines the wagering experience for sports bettors who visit Nevada. This will allow customers to manage their funds and Caesars Rewards credits in a single place.

Caesar said the wallet allows access across 19 jurisdictions where Caesars Sportsbook offers mobile sports wagering.

“We’re always looking for ways to make things easier and more seamless for our players,” said Eric Hession, president of Caesars Digital. “The launch of our universal wallet in Nevada is a significant step forward and a long-anticipated enhancement that brings greater convenience and connectivity to our mobile app.”

AGCO amends responsible gambling rules

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has announced changes to responsible gambling requirements for licensees.

As of 11 July, AGCO no longer requires registrar approval for responsible gambling training programmes for casino and lottery employees. This applies to its standards for both gaming and lottery.

Training will still be mandatory, regularly updated and based on best practices. Staff must also understand responsible gambling, their role in player protection and how to support those showing signs of gambling harm.

However, AGCO said the changes offer greater flexibility for casino and lottery operators to design and update training.

3 Oaks Gaming pens StarVegas deal

3 Oaks Gaming, an iGaming content distributor, has expanded its presence in Italy by striking a new deal with StarVegas.

Under the agreement, StarVegas will now offer the full range of 3 Oaks Gaming slots to players in the country. This covers titles such as Scarab Boost, Queen of the Sun and Lord Fortune 2.

3 Oaks Gaming is certified and approved in many major markets across Europe. Among its other approved regions are the UK, the Netherlands and Greece.

Yuriy Muratov, chief commercial officer at 3 Oaks Gaming, said: “The StarVegas brand is instantly recognisable in Italy. We’re excited to see our content go live within its online casino lobby.”

Flutter partners with Leeds Trinity University

Flutter Entertainment has agreed to a new training partnership with Leeds Trinity University.

Flutter will support the university with an educational course taking place this September. It will focus on digital skills and aims to attract those over 18 and mature students seeking a new job or a different challenge.

Flutter, which counts Sky Betting & Gaming and Paddy Power among its brands, has one of its largest offices in Leeds.

The free digital skills programme will take place in person from 2-4 September.

Hot will take on the regulator’s top position after serving as deputy director general since January. Hot previously worked as an auditor and master of requests at the Council of State.

She is a former student of national graduate school, École Normale Supérieure and the École Nationale d’Administration, a former institution that trained civil servants.

Hot replaces Rémi Lataste, who led the ANJ for the past five years. Lataste said on LinkedIn he would be departing the ANJ to become director general of Campus Condorcet, Paris’s inter-university campus.

Reflecting on his time at the helm, Lataste praised the regulator’s work across several key areas. These include protecting minors, preventing excessive gambling and combating money laundering, illegal activity and sports manipulation.

“In five years, we have built the foundations of impact regulation,” Lataste said. “We have moved the lines on the various missions entrusted to the ANJ.

“Nothing would have been possible without the exceptional human collective of the ANJ. Extraordinary women and men from different backgrounds, committed, demanding, creative. A team in an organised gang that upholds the missions entrusted to it and the values of public service.”

ANJ consults on France’s iGaming future

The change in leadership comes as the ANJ continues to work with the French government on the future of iGaming in the country.

In its 2024 annual report released last month, ANJ said it had participated in a consultation with the current and previous French governments over the possibility of legalising iGaming in France. At present, only sports betting, poker and lotteries are legal online in France.

Casino games remain limited to land-based venues despite calls from operators to open a regulated market. However, ANJ advised any regulation must be “carefully considered” due to what it described as the “highly addictive nature” of iGaming.

As the regulator’s new director general, Hot will likely play a major role in future talks over the subject.

Betfair confirms New Zealand exit

Flutter Entertainment-owned Betfair has announced it will cease operations in New Zealand later this month.

Betfair will continue to accept bets up until 23 July. After that date, players in the country will no longer be able to access Betfair, according to The Straight.

The withdrawal comes ahead of significant change within the New Zealand online gambling market. In July 2024, the government set out plans to regulate iGaming in the country, with changes now imminent.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the upcoming change and poorer user experience,” Betfair said in statement. “Unfortunately, Betfair has to make the upcoming change to comply with the legislative amendment.”

Last month, the government introduced the Online Casino Gambling Bill into the House of Representatives. This included plans for 15 licences in the newly regulated market. It is unclear whether Betfair will apply for a licence.

Funding issues forces GamCare to end young people initiative

In the UK, GamCare has confirmed it will halt its young people-focused harm prevention programmes due to funding issues.

GamCare has delivered programmes to over 250,000 children and young people, parents and professionals across the UK since launching the initiative five years ago.

However, from October this year, GamCare said it will cease the programmes, blaming lack of sustainable funding. The charity will continue to run its Youth Advisory Board to ensure young people’s voices still inform its work.

“GamCare remains committed to reducing gambling harm and none of our other services are affected by this change,” it said.

Luckbet welcomes Paulin as new marketing chief

Brazil-facing Luckbet has appointed Vitor Paulin as its new chief marketing growth officer.

Paulin brings with him experience in various industries and a range of management roles. This includes working across branding, digital marketing, data-driven strategies, CRM and user experience optimisation.

He joins the operator from Open Mind Brazil. Paulin has also worked for Grupo Aposta Ganha, Serasa Experian, DDM Company and Excola Conquer.

“Leading Luckbet’s marketing is a unique opportunity to consolidate the brand in a sector undergoing transformation,” Paulin said. “Our goal is to build a brand presence that combines light and fun entertainment with a fluid and personalised user experience, reinforcing our commitment to responsible gaming.”

Evolution enters Rhode Island with Bally’s

In the US, Evolution has secured access to the Rhode Island market through a partnership with Bally’s.

Under the deal, Bally Casino’s iGaming offering in the state will now feature content from Evolution. This includes games from NetEnt, Red Tiger and Big Time Gaming.

Also linked to this deal, Evolution will introduce exclusive Bally’s-branded live dealer blackjack tables in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

“We’re thrilled to deepen our collaboration with Bally’s by delivering world-class gaming experiences and extend our reach into Rhode Island, a first for Evolution,” said Jacob Claesson, CEO Evolution North America.

Betano scores Bayern Munich deal

Sports betting provider Betano has entered into a new partnership with German Bundesliga football club Bayern Munich.

The agreement will see Betano becoming an official partner of FC Bayern for a number of years.

Betano is owned and operated by Kaizen Gaming. The brand is active in Germany, as well as Portugal, Brazil, Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Ontario in Canada.

“Germany has always been one of the most important markets for us, the second where Betano ever launched,” Kaizen Chief Commercial Officer Julio Iglesias said. “Now, we are announcing our biggest partnership in the country.”

Kirchner officially assumed his new position at the GGL on 1 July. The organisation rotates its chairmanship annually in alphabetical order of its member states.

Kirchner takes over as chairman from Reiner Moser, head of the Ministry of the Interior for Digitalisation and Local Authorities for Baden-Württemberg.

Speaking on the role, Kirchner pointed to the prosecution of illegal operators and player protection as his main priorities.

“The work of the GGL must continue to be significantly geared towards the goal of ensuring that the business model of illegal gambling is not profitable in Germany,” he said. “We will certainly continue to face many challenges. However, I believe the GGL is well positioned to achieve this.”

Outgoing chair talks up role of GGL in tackling illegal operators

Moser stepped aside as chair after the traditional one-year stay in the position. During his tenure, the GGL took more control of the online market in Germany. However, Moser called for further efforts to clamp down on unlicensed activity.

“The online gambling market has developed rapidly in recent years,” he said. “The GGL has met the resulting challenges with great commitment and can already demonstrate remarkable results both in combating illegal gambling and in regulating and supervising the legal market.

“The exchange between the states and the GGL is always trusting and results-oriented.”

Is the Interstate Treaty due for an update?

The new appointment came after questions were recently raised over Germany’s Interstate Treaty on Gambling. According to both the Deutscher Online Casinoverband (DOCV) and Michelle Hembury of Melchers Law, a refreshed treaty could address various issues in the country.

Specifically, the DOCV and Hembury highlighted IP blocking and confusion over deposit and stake limits. The current €1 stake limit on online slots and €1,000 monthly deposit limits on all online platforms is, according to some industry experts, too low to compete against illegal operators.

DOCV Vice President Simon Priglinger-Simader is among those advocating for change. He said current guidelines will not be applicable from next year and therefore an update is expected before 2026. Hembury has also spoken of the need to update the current rules.

Tweraser will replace Helmut Becker, who confirmed in March that he would depart Zeal in January 2026. Becker, who has served as the operator’s CEO for almost 10 years, will step aside as CEO on 14 September but remain available as a consultant until early next year.

For Tweraser, this will represent his first position within the gambling industry. However, as an experienced executive, he has served in senior roles with companies across several other industries.

Most recently, Tweraser was CEO of German NewSpace start-up Rocket Factory Augsburg. He was also chief marketing officer of music streaming service Deezer and CEO of hospitality data business SnapShot. In addition, he spent time at Google Germany as country director in the DACH region.

“I feel very honoured by the trust the supervisory board has placed in me and my abilities,” Tweraser said. “Together with colleagues on the management board and the entire team, I am fully committed to driving this well-positioned and future-oriented company forward.”

Carola von Schmettow, chairwoman of the Zeal supervisory board, welcomed the addition of Tweraser. She said Zeal has gained a “highly qualified business leader” as its new CEO.

“He has proven his profound expertise in digital business models in various industries,” she said. “Throughout his career, he has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to guide market-leading companies into their next phase of development with strategic foresight, innovative ideas and a sharp eye for detail.”

End of an era for Zeal and Becker

Becker also welcomed the appointment of his successor. He said he will work with Tweraser and the wider Zeal team to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.

“Zeal has always been more than just a job for me,” Becker said. “Working alongside my outstanding team has been a great personal enrichment. The company’s great success is the logical consequence of our unique team spirit, innovative mindset and customer focus.

“Together with the leadership team, I will ensure a smooth handover to my successor. I am firmly convinced that under the leadership of Stefan, Zeal will continue on its successful path.”

Von Schmettow added: “Helmut has continuously expanded Zeal’s market leadership in the German online lottery market, strengthened the business model in a challenging regulatory market and broadened the portfolio in a targeted manner through innovative product developments such as the dream house raffle.

“The supervisory board wishes him all the best for the future.”

What next for Becker?

Becker’s comments come after he spoke to iGB in June about his ambitions after he exits Zeal.

The outgoing CEO said he plans to venture outside the gaming sector. His aim is to work on a portfolio of businesses, projects or investments that span various sectors that are “broader” than gaming.

“I want to invest my time into a portfolio of entrepreneurial things, rather than one C-level job,” Becker said.

Tonje Sagstuen (pictured) quit her role on Saturday, after thousands of customers were given false expectations that they had won larger amounts of money. A human error caused the stated premium amount to be 10,000 times too high, directly affecting over 41,000 Norwegians. Around 16,000 of them received push notifications with the erroneous figure on their phones.

The monopoly has since issued a public apology and contacted players individually. Some players had already made plans for holidays, buying an apartment or renovating before they were made aware of the mistake.

Vegar Strand, who has been director of strategy, analysis and business development, has been appointed acting CEO to replace Sagstuen.

Sagstuen said in a statement: “As a manager, it has been my responsibility to handle the errors that have occurred, and it has been very gratifying to see how a united Norsk Tipping has responded to the challenges and worked day and night to solve them.”

Minister of culture takes aim at Norsk Tipping

Norsk Tipping said a calculation error occurred when converting from euro cents to Norwegian kroner. It said that the error was discovered after a short time.

The business is currently conducting a comprehensive review of its systems to ensure that similar errors do not occur again.

The minister of culture, the Norwegian Gambling Authority and individual customers have criticised the business for the high-profile error.

Norway’s minister of culture, Lubna Jaffery, said: “We take note of Tonje Sagstuen’s departure. As I have said, Norsk Tipping is completely dependent on having the trust of the people. The exclusive model depends on that. The ministry will continue to follow up with the board, such mistakes should not happen and we expect the board to work actively to improve control routines.”

Acting CEO issues apology

Acting CEO Strand said: “We have greatly disappointed our customers and take full responsibility for cleaning up. Such mistakes are serious for a company that is supposed to manage the trust of Norwegians.

“The work of rebuilding trust has the highest priority going forward.”

In the apology sent to customers, Strand expressed his understanding that customers are disappointed.

“On Friday evening, thousands of Norwegians were mistakenly told that they had won a large prize in Eurojackpot. This was an error that affected many and which we take very seriously.

“We deeply regret what has happened and, on behalf of us at Norsk Tipping, I would like to apologise to everyone who was affected by this. We are incredibly sorry to have disappointed so many. 

“Know that we are now working intensively to ensure that this type of error does not happen again.”

Rust, formerly chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, was appointed as chair in November 2023. Rust helped establish the Forum as part of its wider engagement and governance structure, the regulator said.

“It’s been a privilege to chair the Industry Forum and help the Commission’s executives and board to gain insights on policy and operational performance from an industry perspective,” Rust said.

“I’m pleased with the work the Forum has delivered. I believe it has helped the Commission better understand the implications of its existing and planned policies for consumers and industry operators.”

Operator representatives Ashley Padgett (Flutter), Mark Pearson (Betfred), Leo Walker (Entain) and David Williams (Rank Group) are among the other nine appointed members of the Forum.

Merkur UK’s Tony Boulton, Betsmart Consulting founder Kirsty Caldwell, Department of Trust Chief Executive Charles Cohen, Managing Director of Britbet Nigel Roddis, and G.Games Founder and Chief Commercial Officer Helen Walton complete the forum’s members.

Rust a valuable sounding board for Commission

The regulator plans to appoint a new chair in due course, with further updates to follow.

Helen Child, head of governance at the Commission, praised Rust’s role in the Forum. She said he has been instrumental in both its creation and role over the past two years.

“I have very much enjoyed working with him as we established the Forum,” Child said. “I’d like to thank Nick for his hard work in getting the group to this point.”

Commission Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with both Nick and the Forum. He has been such a valuable sounding board, a constant fount of knowledge and insight and a great support to me personally.”

“I want to invest my time into a portfolio of entrepreneurial things, rather than one C-level job,” Becker said during a recent interview.

“Stuff that I build myself, or stuff that I invest in. I’m very much looking forward to even more degrees of freedom in my life going forward,”

Throughout his career, Becker has specialised in e-commerce. Prior to Zeal, he spent over five years at eBay in various director-level roles. He also worked for social network Xing in Germany.  

Becker’s career at Zeal started in 2011 as a member of the supervisory board. In June 2013 he took on the role of chief marketing officer, and subsequently as CEO in September 2015.  

During his tenure, the lottery operator ventured into new verticals, established an in-house games developer and invested in novel lottery games which Becker expects will help propel the sector forward, including prize draws.  

In its full-year 2024 results, Zeal posted record group revenue of €188.2 million ($203 million), beating the previous year by 62.2%. It also saw bottom-line net profit rise 333.2% to €59.4 million. 

“We’ve tried many things; we failed sometimes but fortunately we were successful more often. We’ve reinvented ourselves, changed business models, moved the company from London to Hamburg and acquired another listed company,” he says of the business’ trajectory.  

“I have had a steep learning curve in the last 12 years, which I’ve enjoyed tremendously. 

“But there comes a point where you ask yourself; ‘can I muster the energy I need to inject into the business and in the team to drive this forward, or do I need to do something different?’”  

In March he informed the Zeal board of directors that he would not renew his contract beyond 2026 and the process to source a replacement began. Becker says this process is still ongoing.  

Lottery’s growth potential bigger than expected 

Reflecting on his time in gaming, Becker says he was surprised by the growth and innovation potential of the lottery industry. “It was more than I expected when I looked at the industry from the outside before I joined,” he adds.  

“[Lottery] is a massive market. You’re not operating in a small niche, it’s a really broad B2C marketplace with large target groups and exciting brand building opportunities. I would say that there’s huge growth potential in lottery and we prove it every day with our numbers and with what we do.”  

Zeal CEO on protecting new lottery game types 

Becker has shown support for new and novel lottery games like prize draws, which many lottery stakeholders believe are stealing market share from traditional and charity draws.  

“I get the impression that some players in the industry are trying to fight the competition through politics here, and I would say that’s not wise. They should focus on innovation in their own business,” he previously told iGB.  

He has also called for markets to provide robust regulatory frameworks for lottery, particularly in the US.  

“A well-regulated market fosters and incentivises good behaviour and growth. In the end, society benefits from that growth. I do think there’s an opportunity to strike a balance between a well-regulated and open market that is open to private players like us,” he said.  

ITIA hands provisional suspensions to Dominican players

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has given provisional suspensions to two players from the Dominican Republic over corruption allegations.

Jossting Cruz and Jasel Beltre have been suspended since 30 May this year. They will remain inactive pending the consideration of charges under the Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme (TACP).

The ITIA said the double suspension is in line with section F.3.b.i.4 of the TACP. This states that there is a “likelihood” the named individual has committed a “major offence”.

Cruz, 19, reached a career-high ITF singles ranking of 2,318 in May 2025, while Beltre, 24, is unranked. Neither player has elected to appeal their provisional suspension.

ICRG welcomes Soll as new president

Elsewhere, the International Centre for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) has appointed Michael Soll as its new president.

Soll will commence his new role on 7 July and replace Arthur Paikowsky, who has led the ICRG since October 2021.

Soll has served on the ICRG board since 2022 and has almost nearly 30 years of gaming industry experience. Most recently, he was president of research and advisory firm The Innovation Group (TIG).

Prior to his time with TIG, he held planning and development roles at Hard Rock International and Caesars Entertainment.

TaDa Gaming lands UK licence

In other news, slots and casino games provider TaDa Gaming has secured a licence from Great Britain’s Gambling Commission.

The approval enables TaDa to work with licensed operators in the British market. This will cover new content such as Fortune Coins, Jackpot Joker and Legacy of Egypt, which will launch at iGB L!VE 2025 in July.

TaDa will also adapt its games for regional audiences. This follows similar, regional releases in other markets including the US and Brazil.

“The UK is a core focus for us,” TaDa Director of Business Development Ray Lee said. “We are excited to connect with new partners ready to benefit from our diverse, glocalised content and powerful engagement solutions.”

SIS pens extension with Greyhound Racing Ireland

Meanwhile, Sports Information Services (SIS) has extended its partnership with Greyhound Racing Ireland.

The three-year deal will see SIS broadcast over 500 races per month from 10 of the country’s leading tracks. Additional venues will also be announced in due course.

The agreement covers major Irish racing events such as the Irish Derby, Kirby Memorial and Winter Racing Festival. In total, operators will be provided with over 24,000 live greyhound races every year.

“Greyhound racing from Ireland has in recent years established itself as a core part of the greyhound coverage for retail and online operators, both in the UK and international markets, and our coverage showcases the very best the nation has to offer,” SIS EMEA Managing Director Paul Witten said.

Bet365 scores Chicago Sky partnership

Finally this week, Bet365 has entered into a partnership with WNBA team the Chicago Sky.

The multi-year deal will see Bet365 become the official sports betting partner of the Chicago Sky.

Bet365 will benefit from a branding presence on behind the basket on the north end of the court, along with the centre pole pad on both home and visiting team baskets. The operator will also receive logo inclusion on in-arena, social media, broadcast and digital promotional marketing products and materials.

Chicago Sky’s Vice President of Corporate Partnerships, Alex Teodosi, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Bet365 to align with a growing sports trend that brings new visibility to the WNBA and the Chicago Sky.”

Hagman founded the Swedish company alongside Robin Ramm-Ericson in 2011. The company expanded further in Europe acquiring local brands along the way.  

In 2022, US gaming giant MGM Resorts acquired LeoVegas for $607m to expand into Europe and leverage the operator’s technology in LatAm.  

Last June LeoVegas bought Tipico’s US business to utilise its betting platform, particularly as it moved into Brazil under the BetMGM brand earlier this year.  

Mattias Wedar to step in as LeoVegas CEO 

Hagman remained as group CEO throughout this process but formally stepped down from the role on Monday. Deputy CEO Mattias Wedar will take over as CEO.  

Wedar has acted as deputy CEO since April, after carrying out the role of chief product and technology officer between 2019 and 2025.  

Wedar previously spent time as CEO for Gametek, the company that founded Mr Green. Prior to that he was a senior executive at Eniro, a European online search engine.  

“With Mattias as CEO, LeoVegas Group will further develop its technology- and product-driven focus, accelerate its global growth and continue its pursuit of creating the world’s greatest iGaming experience,” a company statement said.  

In a statement announcing the change, the company acknowledged Hagman’s role in its growth and success and his drive to build a technology-focused company that operates much of its own systems.  

Reflecting on his time at the company, Hagman recalled his desire to innovate the mobile gaming sector and turn an iPhone into an interactive roulette wheel.  

“When we launched in Sweden in 2012, the industry was in its infancy and we were sailing in uncharted waters. With a strong team, great commitment and a fantastic corporate culture, we navigated the course successfully and managed to become one of the leading international players – it is truly impressive,” he said.  

“Mattias has been an invaluable asset from day one and I am confident that he is the right person to take the group to new heights,” Hagman said of Wedar’s promotion to CEO.  

MGM Resorts International Interactive President Gary Fritz added: “Gustaf Hagman’s leadership and LeoVegas Group’s expertise in product development and local market expansion have laid the foundation for positioning both BetMGM and LeoVegas as global leaders in the industry.” 

Devlin will move into the position on 1 July. He will replace Anne Lambert, who has served as chairman since the passing of Paul Darling in August last year.

An experienced executive, Devlin has been chairman of housebuilding company Persimmon Homes since June 2018. This overlapped with his spell as chairman of William Hill, where he worked from February 2018 to April 2021 until its sale to Caesars.

Prior to this, he spent almost five years as chairman of pub and hotel operator Marston’s. He also spent time as chair of broadcast connectivity provider SIS Live, as well as Porthaven.

Devlin’s other experience in the gambling industry came during a 10-year spell as chairman of Gamesys, now part of Bally’s. He also owns horses in training with Anthony Honeyball and William Muir, and was co-owner of Pyledriver, the winner of the King George and Coronation Cup.

In addition, he spent six and a half years as an independent director of the English Football Association.

Devlin’s appointment was confirmed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Devlin to champion investment in racing

Commenting on his appointment, Devlin acknowledged the horse racing sector is currently facing “considerable challenge”. However, he also spoke about new opportunities for the sector.

“My focus will be consistent with the Levy’s key objectives – to promote investment and employment in racing; to enhance racehorse welfare wherever possible; to improve the reputation of the sport and thereby generate increased interest,” Devlin said.

“I look forward to working with my fellow board members and the wider team, as well as racing and betting organisations, in pursuit of these goals.”

The HBLB has been vocal in its opposition to proposed changes to tax rates in Britain. In April, the treasury announced a tax consultation, proposing replacing three online betting tax rates with a single rate. This launched on 6 May and is due to close on 21 July.

Current rates comprise Remote Gaming Duty (RGD), General Betting Duty (GBD) and Pool Betting Duty (PBD). Remote activities are hit by RGD at 21% of operator profit, while GBD is taxed at 15% of profit and PBD at 15% of net stake receipts.

However, the HBLB said this threatens an overall tax increase for online gaming, which could heavily impact the horse racing sector.

FanDuel bans bettor over Olympics star heckle

Flutter-owned FanDuel has banned a bettor for heckling US Olympic star Gabby Thomas at a recent track event.

In a post on X, Thomas said a man followed her around the track as she took photographs with fans. She also said he shouted personal insults during the Grand Slam Track event in Philadelphia.

The man in question posted a video of himself online saying his actions “made my parlay win”. The user, who is known as mr100kday and describes himself as “The Track and Field Bully”, also posted a screenshot of a $1,000 parlay bet on FanDuel.

In response, FanDuel said it has blocked the user’s account.

“Threatening or harassing athletes is unacceptable and has no place in sports,” a FanDuel spokesperson said in a statement to ESPN. “This customer is no longer able to wager with FanDuel.”

Push Gaming enters US with BetMGM

Online casino games developer Push Gaming has launched in the US through a partnership with BetMGM.

Push Gaming said its titles are now live with BetMGM in Michigan. The initial rollout includes content such as Big Bamboo and 10 Flaming Bisons.

The deal will also see Push Gaming develop new online games for BetMGM. This builds on an existing deal between the two parties, covering operations in Ontario, Canada.

“We’re incredibly excited to be live in the US,” Push Gaming Chief Operating Officer Andy Bentley said. “Michigan is the perfect place to start. It’s a hugely important and vibrant market, and we’re proud to launch exclusively with BetMGM.”

Celestar launches with MGA licence

In Europe, online slots developer Celestar has announced its launch with a B2B licence from the Malta Gaming Authority.

Headquartered in Malta, Celestar is seeking partnerships with operators, aggregators and platforms. It will focus on markets in Europe but also further afield.

Celestar will operate under the leadership of several industry veterans with over 20 years of experience. This includes CEO Vassilis Trochalidis.

“Our goal is to craft slots that are not just games but experiences, titles that players will return to time and again,” Trochalidis said. “We are committed to bringing fresh ideas to the market, with engaging features and themes that resonate across borders.”

Bragg hands top content role to Milford

Bragg Gaming Group has appointed Scott Milford as executive vice president of group content.

In his new role, Milford will lead strategy, development and delivery across Bragg’s in-house studios. He will also guide relationships with partner developers through the Powered by Bragg programme.

Milford has worked in gaming for over 25 years. His career has included stints at Aristocrat Leisure Limited, Konami Group and Aruze Gaming.

“Bragg’s relentless focus on innovation and excellence is unlike anything I’ve seen,” Milford said. “This is a company that doesn’t just follow trends, it sets them. I’m excited to help elevate Bragg’s world-class teams and partners to new heights.”

Veikkaus scores Finnish FA extension

Veikkaus has extended its long-term partnership with the Finnish Football Association until 2030.

The deal covers both Finland’s national teams and club competitions in the country. Veikkaus will serve as a main partner and betting partner for the duration of the partnership.

The operator has worked with the Finnish FA for more than 85 years.

“The agreement is very important and meaningful to us,” Veikkaus CEO Olli Sarekoski said. “Veikkaus and domestic football have a long, shared history, and that continues. Finnish football is on the rise, and together with the Finnish FA, we can offer Finns great emotions and experiences.”

Bäcke is currently CEO of 25syv Group, a Danish-facing subsidiary of ATG that operates the Bet25 brand. He will be replaced in this role by Henrik Friis Pedersen, who is currently CEO for the Bet25 brand.

The joint venture, announced in April, has been named Hippos ATG Oy and will see ATG and Suomen Hippos each take an equal 50% stake. However, profits will be distributed 40% to ATG and 60% for Suomen Hippos.

The new JV will offer betting on sports and racing and iGaming to players in the competitive Finnish gambling market. Subject to the Finnish Parliament passing a gambling reform bill in coming weeks, the country plans to open its market to private operators from January 2027.

Hippos ATG an ‘exciting’ prospect for Bäcke

Bäcke has worked for ATG since February 2014. He initially worked across several business development roles within the core business and became chief product officer in October 2016. He has served as CEO of 25syv Group since August 2019.

Prior to joining ATG, Bäcke worked at Modern Times Group, primarily focusing on the Viasat AB brand.

“This is a very exciting assignment and an important and aggressive investment for ATG and the entire Nordic trotting sport,” Bäcke said. “Together with Suomen Hippos, we are now building a new, attractive gaming company that both customers and trotting sport win.”

ATG CEO Hans Lord Skarplöt also welcomed the new appointment. He said Bäcke has “very good” knowledge of the Nordic gaming market and will support the group’s online growth plans.

“The goal is to launch a new gaming company on 1 January 2027 in connection with the reregulation of the Finnish gaming market to a licensed market,” Skarplöth said.

Pedersen to take control at Bet25

As for Bäcke’s replacement, Pedersen has worked at 25syv Group since August 2019. In addition to serving as the subsidiary’s CEO, he has been its chief operating officer for the past six years.

Operating in Denmark under the Bet25 brand, 25syv Group offers horse, sports and online casino betting.

“I am happy and proud to have the opportunity to take up the position of CEO,” Pedersen said. “I look forward to building on the strong foundation that has been laid and to continuing the positive development together with our skilled employees and partners.”

Taking to his LinkedIn, Pedersen said the company had grown 350% during his six years there.

Lassi will officially begin his new position at Veikkaus on 1 September. He will replace Hanna Kyrki, who will depart the business in July to join Summa Defence.

An experienced legal executive, Lassi will join Veikkaus from electric car charging service company Virta Global. He worked as its chief legal officer for over three years.

Earlier in his career, Lassi had a two-year spell as general counsel at virtual reality technology company Varjo. He was also a board member at software business Doerz.

From 2016 to 2020, Lassi worked at PayPal, first serving as vice president and legal chief IP officer and later vice president of legal. In addition, he spent over eight years in various legal roles with Nokia.

Lassi talks up new opportunities at Veikkaus

Commenting on his new role, Lassi acknowledged the major changes facing Veikkaus in the near future. The operator will soon relinquish its role as the iGaming monopoly in Finland, with the country set to open up a wider, regulated market.

“Veikkaus is in an interesting situation, as its monopoly position is being dismantled,” Lassi said. “The competitive situation offers the company great opportunities to grow and develop into an even more significant player, even internationally.

“It is a privilege to soon be part of that journey and to be able to influence Veikkaus’ new direction together with other employees of the company.”

Veikkaus CEO Olli Sarekoski backs Lassi to succeed in his new role. He said Lassi’s experience in legal roles will support Veikkaus amid the evolving gambling industry.

“Jyri has very diverse work experience in responsible and challenging legal positions in internationally operating companies,” Sarekoski said. “I am convinced that with his expertise we will move forward in a determined and controlled manner in the changing operating environment of the gambling industry.”

The appointment comes with Veikkaus set to relaunch its new-look sportsbook. Veikkaus has moved from the DraftKings platform to begin working with OpenBet technology.

Malta regulator cancels operator licence

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has cancelled approval for an operator after ruling that it breached its licence conditions.

Oddsfly has been issued a formal cancellation notice due to more than €100,000 ($114,347) in unpaid fees. The MGA also noted several other breaches, which led to the operator being suspended in 2018.

The operator, which counts Casino24 and Tipxpress among its brands, has not been active since the suspension. Its licence has now been cancelled.

In other news, the MGA has also suspended Dimascon for various compliance breaches. It did not clarify what the suspension was before, but it does mark the second time in less than a year that Dimascon has been suspended in Malta.

KSA chairman appointed to GREF board

Elsewhere in Europe, Kansspelautoriteit Chairman Michel Groothuizen has been appointed to the Gambling Regulators European Forum (GREF) board.

Groothuizen will serve on the GREF board until 2027. GREF is a partnership in which gambling regulators across Europe share knowledge, experiences and best practices.

Groothuizen said that his personal mission is to work with other regulators to achieve shared standards for gambling supervision

“An example of this is the clear standard that gambling under the age of 18 is an absolute no go,” Groothuizen said.

BetMGM scores first major women’s sports deal

BetMGM has become the exclusive online casino and sportsbook partner of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces.

The agreement, which runs to the 2027 season, marks BetMGM’s first major partnership with a women’s professional sports franchise.

The operator will benefit from prominent signage at the Aces’ Michelob ULTRA Arena home. BetMGM will also receive sponsorship across the Aces’ social media platforms, courtside access to pre-game shootarounds and luxury VIP seating.

BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said, “As we enter this era of tremendous growth in women’s sports, BetMGM could not have two better organisations to partner with than the WNBA and the Aces. Not only do the Aces play in our backyard at Mandalay Bay, but they share our commitment to giving back to the community.”

NuxGame rolls out new API solutions

B2B provider of iGaming solutions NuxGame has announced the launch of new API solutions Casino API and Sports Betting API.

Casino API allows users to integrate over 14,500 games from more than 120 providers. It also offers player engagement tools and flexible payment integration, as well as analytics and support.

Sports Betting API delivers over 210,000 monthly events across more than 125+ sports and 3,000 betting markets. The solution also handles risk management, odds moves, client segmentation and reporting.

“Our API solutions are tailored to provide operators with the tools they need to succeed – whether focused on casino games or sports betting,” said Yanina Kaplya, chief marketing officer at NuxGame.

LiveScore launches four-day working week trial in UK

LiveScore Group has launched a four-day working week trial for its staff in London.

The trial commenced on 19 May, with employees working at the office from Monday to Thursday. Some Fridays will remain working days to support key sports and business events.

LiveScore said the trial will run for 12 months, with a formal review of its impact planned in October.

“LiveScore Group was built on innovation,” LiveScore CEO Sam Sadi said. “Not just in how we serve sports fans, but in how we grow and evolve as a business. As pioneers in convergence, we understand the power of creating ecosystems that work better together and that includes how we work as a team. This trial is a natural step in our journey.”

Baungartner has already started work on high-priority regulatory and institutional matters, which will involve him representing the group before key industry stakeholders, such as the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets, the Federal Revenue Service and the Central Bank of Brazil.

“My focus is on managing relationships with institutional stakeholders and regulators, leading compliance initiatives, and structuring strategic partnerships and projects – all with an emphasis on consolidating and expanding the group’s presence in Brazil’s regulated market,” Baungartner tells iGB.

Esportes da Sorte gained a licence for the newly regulated Brazilian betting market in January and H2 Gambling Capital ranked the brand among its top 10 operators for market share in March.

Baungartner, who previously held the role of chief commercial officer at Brazilian operator Aposta Ganha, started his new role earlier this month.

As Aposta Ganha CCO, he helped the company become one of the first to gain a full licence in Brazil, playing a key role in the local operator joining international giants such as Bet365 and Betano in the market.

What attracted Baungartner to Esportes Gaming Brasil?

Baungartner boasts nearly 30 years of experience in the gaming industry, with strategic expansion and institutional consolidation key themes of his time at Aposta Ganha.

He feels those experiences will serve him well at Esportes Gaming Brasil, saying: “I bring with me a comprehensive view of the sector, hands-on experience navigating regulatory transition and valuable technical know-how in both operations and regulator relations.”

When asked what it is that attracted Baungartner to Esportes Gaming Brasil, he explains: “The group’s strategic positioning and commitment to regulatory compliance were key factors.

“Brazil’s current market environment demands prepared and responsible players and Esportes Gaming Brasil is one of the leading names shaping this new landscape. The group is clearly in a phase of consolidation and expansion.”

Baungartner expects to still play an active role in the industry’s conference and events circuit, believing these are essential for sharing best practices and staying ahead of regulatory and technical trends.

The excitement for the new role stems from both professional and personal motivations for Baungartner, who explains the opportunity to work alongside a highly skilled leadership team on the expansion of one of Brazil’s key players is the aspect that most interests him.

“We’re building a robust, regulated operational model aligned with international standards,” Baungartner says. “Professionally, it’s a strategic move. Personally, it’s a chance to make a positive impact on the industry in my home country.”

Targeted regional expansion a priority for Esportes da Sorte

From a commercial perspective, the strategic partnerships aspect of Baungartner’s position will focus on working with companies that support Esportes Gaming Brasil’s expansion plans.

This will entail partnerships with certified providers, fintechs, data companies and certification laboratories that can bolster the business’ position in the hugely competitive Brazilian market.

Baungartner and his team will implement a regional strategy with a priority focus on brand penetration, saying: “Brazil offers opportunities on multiple fronts, but I would highlight the South and Southeast thanks to their economic scale and the Northeast for its strong engagement and the group’s already solid presence.”

Strengthening institutional relations is also among Baungartner’s top priorities and, in his view, the biggest challenge for that objective lies in establishing a trust-based environment.

Esportes Gaming Brasil has been vocal in supporting Brazil’s regulatory process and, with Baungartner’s help, the company will continue to advocate for regulation, while also pursuing commercial aims of innovation and expansion.

“As the regulatory framework continues to evolve, it’s essential to maintain active institutional channels, ensure transparency in internal processes and collaborate with regulatory bodies on the interpretation and implementation of new rules,” Baungartner continues. “As advocates of regulation, we must be fully engaged in this collaborative phase.

“Our goal is not just to comply with the law but to actively contribute to building an efficient, safe and, above all, responsible market.”

Appointed by the Isle of Man Treasury, Petts becomes the latest senior arrival at the independent statutory board during 2025. Petts, a chartered accountant and auditor with experience in the gambling, finance and life assurance sectors, has been part of the GSC for five years.

As commission chairman, Petts’ role is to ensure that the GSC upholds regulation standards. He is also charged with ensuring accountability and oversight to ensure that the GSC balances the needs of the sector with the safety of the jurisdiction.

Petts replaces long-standing predecessor Jon Allen, who held the role for 15 years to November 2024. David Butterworth has filled the role on an acting basis since Allen’s departure.

The GSC said in a statement: “Gregory’s invaluable experience in internal audit, governance, risk and compliance will support the GSC in its regulatory duties.”

Assuming the role, Petts said he is committed to keeping the Isle of Man’s gambling sector safe and fair.

“It is essential to strike a balance, maintaining responsible growth of the sector and continuing to uphold a strong regulatory framework,” Petts said.

“Maintaining the Isle of Man’s international reputation as a trusted and respected jurisdiction is of the utmost importance.”

Petts’ appointment comes four months after Mark Rutherford, a long-serving member of the GSC’s management team, became new chief executive. The experienced Nicola Libreri became its new deputy CEO around a month ago.

Emerging global threats

Online gambling is the second-largest contributor to the Isle of Man’s GDP. Its low corporate tax rate on income derived from outside its borders makes it an attractive location for international businesses. Leading gambling groups based in the Isle of Man include Entain and Playtech.

The GSC is responsible for the governance of all gambling activities on the island.

Its regulatory objectives include ensuring that operators conduct gambling in a fair and open manner. It also aims to protect children and other vulnerable persons from harm and to prevent individuals from using gambling as a source of crime or disorder.

Petts’ appointment comes amid a series of initiatives designed to meet new and emerging global threats related to cybercrime.

Over the last 18 months, the GSC has made significant investments in strengthening AML/CFT oversight. These include creating standalone AML/CFT inspections, enforcement and outreach divisions and onboarding a new risk assessment tool, Strix. The GSC has enhanced risk-based supervision and, as a result of AML/CFT failings identified, issued civil penalties totalling £840,000.

Alongside this action, the GSC has increased outreach, providing more education, guidance and support in the form of webinars, drop-in sessions, guidance and fact sheets, working in collaboration with the sector.

Gräfin von Schmettow was elected to the position at the Zeal annual general meeting. She has been a member of the company’s supervisory board since November 2024.

An experienced executive, Gräfin von Schmettow worked at HSBC Germany throughout her entire professional career. She spent 29 years with the company, including six as its CEO between 2015 and 2021.

Gräfin von Schmettow will take the place of the long-serving Steiner, who has stepped down after 12 years as chair. His departure was announced in May last year and he officially exited the role after this week’s AGM.

As well as serving as chair, Steiner has been a member of the Zeal supervisory board since June 2013. He has also now stepped down from these responsibilities.

Zeal CEO praises ‘inspirational’ Steiner

Paying tribute to the outgoing Steiner, Zeal CEO Helmut Becker said he has been a “valuable source of inspiration”.

“We would like to thank Peter for his many years of dedicated and responsible work,” Becker said. “During this time, he was not only a reliable companion and valuable source of inspiration for the management board, he was a strategic compass, an anchor of integrity and a person who accompanied Zeal with foresight and passion.

“Under his leadership, the supervisory board has accompanied key developments such as Zeal’s return to Germany and the strategic expansion of our business. I would like to sincerely thank Peter Steiner for his valuable work and wish him all the best for the future.”

The AGM also saw all proposed resolutions approved by a large majority of shareholders. These included a basic dividend of €1.30 per share and special dividend of €1.10 per share for FY24.

On the subject of finance, Zeal recently published its Q1 results. Revenue was up 42% year-on-year at €51.1 million, largely due to lottery performance. However, Zeal also reported a revenue increase within its games division.

EBITDA was also up 88.3% to €17.7 million but net profit dropped 53.6% to €9.8 million. This was due to the previous year benefiting from the Lotto24 squeeze-out.

Krarup will commence his new role with effect from 3 June. His appointment was based on a recommendation from the Ministry of Finance, with Danske Spil 81% owned by the state in Denmark.

Krarup, who spent more than 19 and a half years as mayor of Herning, is also currently chair of Realdania. The private association supports projects across architecture and planning in Denmark.

Prior to this, he was chairman of Team Danmark, a government-funded organisation that promotes elite sport. He also chaired Sport Event Denmark, which works to draw major sporting events to the country.

Krarup’s other experience includes working as a board member at both KommuneKredit, a special-purpose credit institution, and local government association KL.

Krarup to focus on good causes

Commenting on his appointment, Krarup said he has seen first hand how funds from Danske Spil can support the community. Team Danmark, where he has worked for five years, is supported using funds from Danske Spil.

“In my work as mayor and in sports, I have experienced firsthand how Danske Spil’s profits support both small, large and professional communities,” Krarup said. “It is a privilege to contribute to continuing to secure the financial foundation for Danish association life and thousands of good causes.

“Danske Spil is a particularly important social actor. Not only because the company brings together 1.9 million Danes each year around the dream of winning for the benefit of the community, but also because profitability and responsibility go hand in hand when Danske Spil leads the way for a more responsible gaming market.”

The operator also confirmed that Charlotte Bach will remain as its deputy chairman. Bach, who also currently chairs Danish sports organisation DGI, was first elected to the role in 2022.

“A lot of people came to us as candidates, including some people from S-Tech who said they’d been made redundant,” Sennette Lam, CEO of the Malta-based recruiter, explains. Despite being good quality candidates with plenty of experience, they were suddenly facing redundancy and scouring the local jobs market.  

Scanning the pages of LinkedIn tells a similar story about redundancies in the industry: a sea of “Open to Work” banners and posts about iGaming professionals looking for new opportunities. While layoffs have been more common in the post-pandemic years, recruiters say there has been an even more noticeable upswing recently.  

“There are definitely a lot of redundancies at the moment, not just in specific markets but across the industry as a whole,” says Jennifer Innes, CEO of UK-based recruiter BettingJobs. Beginning in the aftermath of Covid-19, the past few years have spurred a dramatic rise in candidates who are forced to start polishing their CV.  

‘Emergence of new locations’ 

In the tight-knit offshore communities like Malta and Gibraltar, employees are feeling the shift more keenly. In these smaller jurisdictions, waves of layoffs can start to feel like cataclysmic changes in the employment landscape.  

The job cuts appear to be penetrating all areas of the industry, from operators to suppliers and even affiliates. Most notably, Malta-based Catena Media hit the news last week when it announced another round of redundancies to bolster profitability after poor results in Q1.

This year, around 50 jobs are being scrapped – on top of the 29 content and market roles the affiliate cut last November. At the time, CEO Manuel Stan had said he planned to “rule out” further layoffs, but a 40% drop in Q1 profit prompted a major U-turn. 

Catena isn’t the only one: In March last year, Gibraltar’s Gambling Commissioner Andrew Lyman admitted there had been a spate of redundancies on the peninsula, including at well-established brands like William Hill, Entain and Lottoland.  

Are iGaming hubs shrinking?

At the time, Lyman sought to reassure people that employees in gaming were usually quickly reabsorbed into the market. However, recruitment experts say the situation is more complicated than that.  

“Igaming hubs like Malta and Gibraltar are always going to be very important to the sector, but their importance recently has been somewhat diluted,” says Innes.  

“You’ve got the emergence of other locations like Bulgaria, Prague or Poland, or even the re-emergence of places like Cyprus. Then you’ve got people from Ukraine and Russia moving elsewhere since the start of the war. All these external factors are influencing the choice to hire or not to hire in Malta and Gibraltar.” 

This fragmentation can make life more complicated for employees in these offshore hubs who find themselves facing redundancy. Whereas many jobs in the gaming market had previously been concentrated in their jurisdiction, a reshaping of the market is forcing people to look even further afield.   

What’s behind the recent spate of redundancies? 

While news of layoffs and cut backs can sound the alarm, it is not necessarily a sign of an industry in decline. In many cases, in fact, many experts simply see a natural course correction after the boom of the corona years.  

This phenomenon was highlighted by Bally’s CEO Lee Fenton in an earnings call back in 2023, as many online gaming companies started laying off their staff apace. “The pandemic boosted our business and we continued to hire at full pelt,” he told investors. “I now can see that we may have over-hired in some areas and I take full responsibility for that.” 

In Malta, TalentBet CEO Lam has seen several examples of major companies going on a hiring offensive in growth phases, only to cut back at a later date.  

“Companies scaled up very fast and then, once they settled a little bit, or the market settled, they realised they don’t need all of these people,” she says. “It’s not that they don’t need that role; it’s that they don’t need that many people in that role.” 

Innes believes the industry took a bit of time to adjust to new post-pandemic realities. “During Covid times, it was certainly the case that a lot of companies had a boom in terms of customer volumes,” she says. “It may have taken a bit longer for these customers to stop playing, or the real ramifications to be felt internally with a lot of operators and suppliers.” 

Once they did, however, the layoffs began.  

Consolidation driving iGaming redundancies

Another major driver of redundancies is the industry’s increasing consolidation. As big brands complete mergers and acquisitions, they often look for ways to cut costs and make efficiencies.  

This was the case back in 2022, when 888 bought up William Hill’s non-US assets for £2.2 billion. The acquisition was followed by numerous redundancies – including on the rock. At Malta-based Hero Gaming, meanwhile, dozens of staff were laid off in 2023 in a restructuring process designed to pave the way for new acquisitions.  

Recent layoffs have been reported at Entain’s Gibraltar office, as the operator has restructured a lot of its UK-facing business over the past couple of years, to target renewed growth efforts in the core market.  

Regulatory burdens and new technologies  

Alongside some of the more traditional reasons for cutting staff – like M&A deals and efficiency savings – recent redundancies have also been prompted by new developments in the industry. 

For remote gambling companies, emerging gaming hubs like UAE are exerting a strong pull, with some companies deciding to make cutbacks as they move their operations to new locations.  

In other cases, it is fresh regulations that are threatening jobs in offshore jurisdictions. In key gaming markets like Brazil and the Netherlands, for example, staff are required to be based in the country, putting operators under pressure to relocate their workforce.  

Another major shift in the industry has been the growth of new technologies. Long considered hype, artificial intelligence (AI) has started to make its presence felt in the volatile gambling job market.  

“There have been a few companies recently that have announced redundancies because they’re replacing certain positions with AI,” Innes explains. “That’s something that’s only really been witnessed truly in the last six months or certainly the first part of this year.” 

At the moment, the automation of certain roles is mostly affecting those in junior positions. That includes customer-facing roles like fraud and payments communications with customers. Nevertheless, automation through AI is likely to remain a major topic in the coming months and years as brands look for ways to cut their costs and leverage new technologies. 

Of course, this won’t necessarily remain one-sided: Innes believes that as AI develops, new business opportunities and jobs will emerge with it, such as project managers who can help companies implement new AI-driven processes and solutions. 

“The scale is tipping in the redundancy side at the moment,” she says. “But I do believe that it will level itself out.” 

Life after redundancy 

In Malta’s bustling economy, Lam says redundancy tends to be a short-term situation for most in iGaming, with good candidates getting snapped up quickly.  

“I’ve been working in gaming recruitment for over 10 years and it’s just continuously growing – it never slows down,” she says. “That means there’s always a need for these people with this experience, whether it’s for an established company or a startup, there’s always someone that’s going to need the skill set.” 

Even amid trickier market conditions, TalentBet’s Lam says she rarely sees candidates on the market for more than a month or so. Depending on the role, a suitable job can be found in a matter of weeks. Junior roles such as customer service may take a matter of days to place, while senior roles could take much longer.  

Innes agrees that the situation is far less dramatic for gaming employees than people might believe.  

“If you look purely at LinkedIn and people posting and saying how difficult it is to get roles, you may falsely feel that the industry is not as vibrant or as buoyant as it is,” she says. “But I do think there are roles there. There will always be positions available for anyone with strong industry experience.” 

That said, there are differences between the two jurisdictions: While BettingJobs has seen an uptick in placements in Malta this year compared to in 2024, there were zero placements in Gibraltar in the first quarter.  

Innes attributes this to the wealth of highly regulated, tier-one operators on the island, many of whom are struggling in the wake of Brexit.  

“We talk about Malta and Gibraltar where there have been redundancies made,” she says. “But I think it may be more drastically felt by individuals in Gibraltar.” 

A new world of work  

Being made redundant can be a frightening situation for employees, although many also take it as an opportunity to take stock and consider their next step.  

This might involve taking new courses to refresh or update their skills, or doing some soul-searching about what they truly want from a role and where they want to live. In 2025, Lam says, many iGaming candidates who have been laid off are keen to find remote-working options.  

Many companies have caught up to this burgeoning trend, with the vast majority of TalentBet’s 80-plus clients offering either remote or hybrid working. According to Lam, just two or three have held on to a fully office-based work environment, while the rest largely split the week between home and the office.  

As some firms start to transition back to office-based roles, however, the demand for remote work is becoming one of the major hurdles to placing candidates quickly.  

“We’re not seeing a lot of desperate redundant people coming through the doors,” Lam says. “We’re seeing people that have been made redundant but are being fussier about the next step for them, since they finally have the opportunity for a change.”  

For firms insisting that employees come to the office, it can be much harder to match the ideal candidate.  

“We’re very honest with them and say, ‘We can search for this, but you’re going to miss out on really good people,’” Lam adds. “There may be someone who’s fantastic for the role, but who really wants flexibility.” 

Nevertheless, Innes says the employees on BettingJob’s books tend to be pragmatic and realistic when assessing the market: they realise they may not get the high salaries or perks they had been used to before but are open to looking at offers. 

Embracing change  

For individuals looking for work after a layoff, Innes’ advice is clear: Be creative and flexible and recognise where skills can be transferred to other roles. Employees should also make sure their CV truly packs a punch, she said, and not be afraid of seeking expert advice if they need it. 

Regardless of how long it may take, however, the key is not to lose faith.  

“The industry is so dynamic and entrepreneurial and vibrant and it does offer fantastic career opportunities to individuals,” the BettingJobs CEO explains. “Yes, there have been redundancies, but there is also the emergence of new technologies, of new iGaming hubs. And if you’re willing to embrace that, then the gaming industry is going to embrace you back, right?”  

Additional monitoring for Swedish licensees

Swedish gambling regulator Spelinspektionen is to apply additional, temporary supervision to several of its licensees.

The review will take place throughout the spring and will focus on how licensees comply with the requirements for information that must be available on their websites. Results of this, the regulator said, will be made public.

Among the operators that will feature in the review are 888 Sweden, Betfair International, Mr Green, Interwetten and Skill On Net. Premier Gaming, Lotto Direct, Polar and ComeOn Sweden are also being reviewed.

Spelinspektionen will also include racing monopoly AB Trav och Galopp in the review.

Entain confirms double board appointment

Entain has announced Michael Goldberg and Edmond Mesrobian as independent non-executive directors on its board,

Goldberg is a veteran investor having previously worked at Elliott Management and Corvex Management. He will become a member of the Capital Allocation Committee.

Mesrobian is an experienced senior executive, holding roles with major firms such as Tesco and Expedia. Joining Entain, he will also serve on the Sustainability & Compliance Committee.

“I am confident the appointments will add significant value to the board, complementing our existing dynamics and further enhancing the board’s ability to deliver growth and the execution of our strategy,” Entain interim chair Pierre Bouchut said.

Red Rake enters New Jersey

Red Rake Gaming has expanded into New Jersey in partnership with the Hard Rock Bet platform and Aristocrat Interactive.

Red Rake’s games are now available to players in the Garden State through Hard Rock. The developer counts Sugar Burst, Guardians of Luxor 3 and new title Vegas All In among its games.

The launch comes shortly after Red Rake secured regulatory approval in New Jersey.

“We are very excited about the addition of our games on Hard Rock Bet and the opportunity to further expand our presence in the US,” Red Rake Gaming Malta managing director Nick Barr said.

Stakelogic grows Dutch presence with Starcasino NL

Stakelogic has strengthened its position in the Netherlands through a new deal with Starcasino NL.

Stakelogic has completed a direct integration with Starcasino NL, bringing its full slot and live casino portfolio to Dutch players.

Content includes slot titles such as Wild Canyon, Cozy Candy ClusterBreaker and Garden Gladiators, as well as live dealer blackjack and roulette and game shows.

“The Netherlands is a key market for us,” Stakelogic head of sales Neil Tanti said. “We are delighted to partner with an operator of Starcasino NL’s calibre to offer Dutch players the full Stakelogic experience.”

Veikkaus partners with Finnish football legend

And finally this week, Veikkaus has entered a partnership with Finnish football legend Sami Hyypiä.

Hyypiä, who represented Finland 105 times, has signed a multi-year deal to serve as a brand ambassador for Veikkaus. He will work with the operator on a range of customer-facing activities.

The former defender, who also worked with Veikkaus during his playing career, is best known for his 10-year spell with Liverpool in the English Premier League.

“It’s a pleasure to return to Veikkaus after a break of many years,” Hyypiä said, according to STTInfo. “I’m happy to be collaborating with a domestic operator that has promoted Finnish sports in many ways throughout its history.”

Flutter agreed to acquire an initial 56% stake in Brazil-facing NSX last September. The deal was valued at $356 million and had been expected to close in Q2 of this year.

The acquisition has completed on schedule, enabling Flutter to establish a new Flutter Brazil business, led by Studart. This division will also include its Betfair Brazil brand. A mechanism is also in place to enable Flutter to increase its overall shareholding of NSX.

Studart responded to the announcement on LinkedIn, explaining that he will now lead the combined Flutter Brazil business. He said the acquisition represents “much more than a name change” for NSX.

“Today, we begin a new stage in our journey,” Studart said. “It is the recognition of a work that began as a Brazilian startup and that, with strategic vision, talent and consistency, has consolidated itself as a reference in the betting and digital entertainment sector, with leading brands such as Betnacional.”

Flutter Brazil committed to relevant and responsible gambling

Studart, who has acted as CEO for the NSX business since 2020, said the combined business will have greater reach in Brazil. He said, being part of Flutter, NSX is connected to one of the largest global platforms in the industry.

“It expands access to technology, talent and capital, reinforcing our capacity for innovation, impact and scale,” he said. “Alongside Betfair, we are now operating in an even more integrated manner in Brazil, with a very clear purpose: to offer increasingly relevant, safe and responsible experiences for our users.

“We continue with the same DNA that has brought us this far and with even more strength to build what lies ahead. The future of Flutter Brazil has already begun and it will be guided by purpose, responsibility and commitment to what really matters.”

NSX to contribute $220 million in additional revenue

Confirming the acquisition, Flutter said NSX would help drive market share growth and embed future profitability. It has forecast that the deal will generate an additional $220 million in revenue during 2025.

“The transaction demonstrates Flutter’s powerful optionality as an ‘and’ business and aligns perfectly with our strategy for value creating M&A,” Flutter CEO Peter Jackson said in a statement released on Thursday.

“The combination of NSX’s extensive local expertise, alongside our existing Brazilian business and the advantages of the Flutter Edge, creates a compelling opportunity to capitalise on the exciting runway of future growth in Brazil.”

These comments echoed what Jackson said during Flutter’s post-Q1 earnings call. He said it gives Flutter an “enhanced competitive position, in a fast-growing newly regulated market”.

“Combining a strong local management team, localised proprietary technology and a local hero brand in Betnacional, alongside our existing Betfair Brazil business and Flutter Edge capabilities, will position us for success in this very exciting market,” Jackson told analysts earlier in the month.

AGCO penalises Great Canadian Entertainment

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has fined Great Canadian Entertainment CA$151,00 (US$108,396) for age verification failures.

The operator is said to have failed to prevent minors from accessing gambling on multiple occasions at three Toronto-area casinos.

AGCO found four separate incidents in which minors gained access to the casino floors and participated in gambling. Two cases occurred at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto and one each at Casino Ajax and Pickering Casino Resort.

“We are committed to ensuring casinos meet Ontario’s high standards of harm reduction and responsible gambling,” AGCO said. “This enforcement action underscores the AGCO’s dedication to protecting youth and other vulnerable individuals.”

Great Canadian Entertainment has the right to appeal the decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal.

Dutch regulator issues warning to Betca

Also facing regulatory wrath is Betca, which has been issued a warning by Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) in the Netherlands.

KSA said Betca featured a gambling-related advert within its mobile game, Tiny Tower. This was an advert for gambling website Circus.nl.

Dutch law prohibits gambling ads from appearing in non-gambling online games or websites with games. As such, KSA contacted Betca about the breach.

Betca said the advert was accidentally shown as a result of a human error. The operator said it immediately rectified the issue by removing the ad, adding that it was aimed at people who had previously visited Circus.nl and who indicated they were over 24.

KSA opted against further sanctions at this time but said it would continue to monitor Betca.

Bank of Ireland rolls out voluntary gambling blocks

Elsewhere, Bank of Ireland has launched voluntary blocks on debit cards for customers who want to stop spending on gambling.

The feature can be put in place following a customer request. It stops card payments to gambling operators, with intent to block use of online casinos, slot machines and lottery websites.

Customers can request a block on both personal and business debit cards. Bank of Ireland said blocking will also be extended to credit cards in the coming months.

Announcing the tool, Bank of Ireland said 90% of gambling transactions took place online in Q1. It added that 99% of these were funded using debit cards.

Norman to remain as ATG chair

Meanwhile, Sweden’s AB Trav och Galopp (ATG) has announced that Peter Norman is to remain as its chairman.

Norman was reelected at a general meeting last week. He has served as chair since mid-2023.

“I am proud and grateful to continue to lead ATG’s board,” Norman said. “This is a unique year, as for the first time the board is entirely appointed by our owners.”

During the same meeting, three new members were elected to the board: Katarina Bonde, Mårten Forste and Marie Thelander Dellhag. This means that for the first time, the Swedish state does not hold a majority on the board.

Paf links up with Formula 1 legend Kimi Raikkonen

And finally this week, Finnish operator Paf has entered into a new partnership with Formula 1 legend Kimi Raikkonen.

Raikkonen, also from Finland, will work with Paf across a range of initiatives. This includes the operator’s charitable initiatives.

However, the deal remains subject to Paf securing a licence in the new-look Finnish market. Authorities aim to implement a new online licensing system at the beginning of 2027.

“We’re proud to welcome Kimi to the Paf team,” Paf Manager Thomas Näsman said. “He’s a true Finnish icon and we value his honesty and no-nonsense approach, qualities that align perfectly with our brand.”

Raikkonen won the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship in 2007.

As detailed in a statement from Entain, David will replace Gavin Isaacs, who stepped down as CEO in February. David had been serving as interim CEO since Isaacs’ departure.

Incidentally, this was her second spell as interim – David also held the top job on a temporary basis when Jette Nygaard-Andersen exited in late 2023. This will, however, be the first time she will hold the role full time.

David was also previously chairman of the group, taking on the role in April 2024. However, she relinquished these responsibilities when becoming interim CEO following Isaacs’ exit earlier this year. She was appointed a non-executive director at Entain in March 2021.

“Entain has a clear strategy and we are making great strides in strengthening our operational capabilities,” David said. “Having taken the time to reflect, I am hugely excited to be leading the business going forward as Entain CEO as we accelerate our journey of improvement.

“Entain is a great business with significant potential. I am confident in its ability to deliver further success in the future.”

David: An accomplished business leader

Pierre Bouchut, who took on chairman duties on an interim basis when David stepped up as temporary CEO in February, welcomed the appointment. He said David is “highly regarded” by Entain shareholders.

“The board is delighted to have appointed Stella as CEO,” Bouchut said. “She is an accomplished and commercial business leader with a long track record of success across multiple industries. Stella has played a pivotal role in shaping, implementing and executing the ongoing delivery of Entain’s strategy to drive value for our shareholders.

“She is highly regarded by our stakeholders. Her appointment provides consistency and stability as the business pursues its many growth opportunities.”

In addition to her role at Entain, David has been serving as chair of Norwegian Cruise Lines. She had been a non-executive director since January.

Her other positions have included CEO of WM Grant & Sons and both senior vice president and chief marketing officer, and regional president, at Bacardi. In addition, she is currently a non-executive director at Bacardi.

David’s previous non-executive director roles include at Nationwide Building Society, New Look Retail Group, HomeServe UK and Domino’s. She also had year-long spell as chair of Vue International.

The appointment comes as Entain also published a trading update for Q1. Highlights include a 9% increase in net gaming revenue following strong online performances across online and the BetMGM joint venture.

The body was founded in 2021 to coincide with the launch of regulated online gambling in the Netherlands.

VNLOK has moved swiftly to appoint a replacement, today (22 April) confirming Björn Fuchs has unanimously been elected as chair. Fuchs will combine the role with his current position as chief digital officer at Fair Play Casino.

Fuchs will officially take over as chair on 1 May.

Lodders outlines commitment to safe gambling

Speaking about her time as chair, Lodders said her primary goal has been to ensure a safe gambling environment for Dutch consumers. She explained this will remain the focus of VNLOK after she departs.

“I have enjoyed the role of chair since the foundation of VNLOK,” Lodders said. “It was a period of political and social turbulence. At the same time, I have always kept the goal in mind; to work on a safe, reliable and controllable market with the right care for vulnerable players.

“Now that my term is ending, the time has come to pass the baton. I thank my fellow board members for the trust they have placed in me. I have every confidence in Björn Fuchs as my successor.”

Fuchs paid tribute to the outgoing Lodders, praising her work during the early years of legal online gambling in the Netherland.

“The board is grateful for the way in which she has given substance to our association with integrity and with her skills and strength,” Fuchs said. “The board therefore expresses its appreciation for the efforts that Helma has made since the foundation.

“I look forward to my new role as chair with pride and confidence. I will get started with great enthusiasm and, together with the members, will commit myself to the importance of a well-regulated online gambling market.”

The news comes after Mattingley in January announced he would step down as chairman. He was appointed chairman executive in April 2021 shortly after exiting his role as CEO of 888.

Gleasure will bring 30 years of experience across the sports, media and technology sectors. He is currently executive chairman of The Sporting News and a non-executive director at DAZN Group.

Prior to this, he helped found and launch digital sports media business Perform Group. The company provides live sports data and content to online betting operators around the world.

Earlier in his career, he also spent time in sports-related leadership roles at Sky Sports and mobile provider Hutchison 3G. In addition, he has worked in senior positions with EMI Music, EMI Records and Sony Pictures.

As a non-executive director at Playtech, Gleasure will receive an annual fee of £140,000 (€163,288/$185,844). This will be increased at the point he becomes chairman.

Gleasure eyes new opportunities at Playtech

Commenting on his pending appointment, Gleasure said he is pleased to be joining Playtech at a “pivotal” moment in its history.

Playtech is close to completing the sale of its Snaitech business to Flutter Entertainment for €2.30 billion. This will shift its focus almost entirely to operating as a B2B provider. The deal is set to complete before the end of April.  

“Playtech is a unique and highly innovative business, underpinned by market-leading technology and relationships with the world’s leading gambling operators,” Gleasure said.

“I’m excited about the opportunities ahead. I look forward to working with everyone at Playtech to drive forward its strategy and create further value for our shareholders.”

Outgoing Mattingley also welcomed the proposed appointment. He said Gleasure will be an “asset” to Playtech.

“John’s significant experience and knowledge will be a tremendous asset for Playtech as it continues its transformation into a predominantly pure-play B2B business,” Mattingley said. “I look forward to giving him every support during this period of transition.”

The new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the British Gambling Commission.

The deal establishes a framework for cooperation and sets out principles of collaboration between the two regulators. These shared aims, the organisations say, will enable closer working relationships and support their respective duties and functions.

GRAI CEO Anne Marie Caulfield and Gambling Commission interim CEO Andrew Rhodes signed off on the new collaboration last week.

“This MoU is an important step in formalising the working relationship between the two regulators,” Caulfield said. “Ireland and the UK share many of the same operators and gambling practices, so putting this agreement in place will enhance our ability to share information and discharge our respective regulatory responsibilities effectively.

“Open dialogue and close cooperation between both jurisdictions is paramount. I greatly look forward to continuing this close cooperation for the years to come.”

Stats Perform welcomes Kaplan as new marketing chief

Stats Perform has announced the appointment of Charles Kaplan as its new chief marketing officer.

Confirmed last week, Kaplan will take on his new role from 21 April. He will oversee the company’s marketing capabilities, Opta data insights and editorial services, and Opta Content Agency.

Kaplan brings nearly 25 years of marketing, product management and revenue growth expertise to Stats Perform. He was most recently chief product and marketing officer at Wynshop.

Kaplan also held leadership roles at Mi9 Retail, MicroStrategy, Lexmark Enterprise Software and Brainware.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Stats Perform team at such a critical time in the company’s history,” Kaplan said.

Playnetic moves into Canada with Ontario licence  

B2B igaming content provider has secured a licence from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

The approval enables Playnetic to provide its library of games to licensees in the Ontario region. It has already begun talks with approved operators in the province.

This is the first approval for Playnetic in the wider Canadian market. The supplier aims to make it a “starting point” for expansion into other provinces in the country.

Hard Rock races ahead with Earnhardt Jr

Meanwhile, Hard Rock International and Hard Rock Bet have announced NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr as a brand ambassador.

The new partnership will feature brand integrations across several areas of the Hard Rock business. These include with Hard Rock Bet players and a branded free-to-play game on Hard Rock Neverland Casino and Jackpot Planet.

On the wagering side of the deal, customers can follow Earnhardt with his sports betting picks. They can also win face-to-face meetings with the NASCAR Hall-of-Famer.

“Hard Rock is such a historic and iconic brand,” said Earnhardt. “They have something for everyone – music, food, drinks, casino games and sports betting. I’m excited to partner with them and the opportunities we have to do some really fun things together.”

Midnite lands World Snooker Championship deal

Finally this week, UK-facing online betting and casino brand Midnite has partnered with the World Snooker Championship.

The deal sees Midnite become the official UK betting and casino partner of the contest. This year, the World Snooker Championship runs from 19 April to 5 May in Sheffield, England.

Midnite will run a series of activations throughout the competition. This includes giving away three pairs of Century Club tickets for the final session.

The Midnite sportsbook was launched in 2018 by Nick Wright and Daniel Qu. The duo previously created daily fantasy sports platform Dribble in partnership with Sky Bet.

An experienced executive, Ferris has been serving as the CEO of Weatherbys since September 2019. Weatherbys provides a range of services to the horseracing industry, including playing a major role in breeding approval.

Before becoming CEO, Ferris also had a spell as chief executive of the Weatherbys General Stud Book, a breed registry for horses in Britain and Ireland. He also spent time as operations director.

Prior to Weatherbys, Ferris was a director for At The Race, a dedicated horseracing channel in the UK and Ireland. He also worked as the managing director of Limerick Racecourse in Ireland.

In addition, he was general manager at Scarvagh House Stud, an approved National Hunt stud farm.

Ferris keen to increase engagement

Ferris, who is also a non-executive director on the boards of Racing Digital and Venture Bio, outlined his vision for RMG. He said he is seeking to increase the appeal, reach and overall engagement of horseracing.

“I am delighted to be joining a great team at RMG and very much looking forward to the new challenge,” he said. “RMG plays a pivotal role within the industry both domestically and internationally. I am excited by the company’s vision to further enhance the sport’s appeal, reach and engagement to ensure a bright future for all.”

Nick Mills, who took over as CEO of RMG last November, welcomed the addition of Ferris. Mills backed the new managing director to take RMG to “new levels”.

“Russell is highly regarded within the industry,” Mills said. “He’ll bring a wealth of expertise, experience and enthusiasm to RMG.

“Russell will oversee and further align the commercial and broadcast departments and help take the business to new levels in terms of innovation, engagement and revenues.”

Another change at the top on horseracing

The new appointment comes after another major horseracing organisation earlier this week also announced a change in leadership.

The Jockey Club named Jim Mullen, the former chief executive of Ladbrokes-Coral, as its new group CEO. Mullen is due to take on his new role in June, with Charlie Boss staying as interim CEO until then.

Mullen is currently CEO of commercial news publisher Reach. Prior to this, Mullen was group CEO of Ladbrokes-Coral between March 2015 and March 2018. This followed spells as chief operating officer and international director at William Hill.

Boss will continue as interim CEO until Mullen takes up his new post in June. He will also remain at the Jockey Club until July to support and ensure a smooth transition.

Mullen, a racehorse owner, joins the organisation after five and a half years as the CEO of commercial news publisher Reach. The group counts the Mirror, Daily Express, Daily Record and Daily Star among its publishing brands.

Prior to this, Mullen was group CEO of Ladbrokes-Coral between March 2015 and March 2018. This followed spells as chief operating officer and international director at William Hill.

Earlier in his career, Mullen also worked at News International, Arc Worldwide, Faulds Group and Murray Group.

He has also been serving as a senior independent non-executive director of the Racecourse Media Group (RMG) since June 2019. RMG is the umbrella organisation responsible for media rights involving 61 racecourses in Britain and Ireland.

Mullen talks up ‘forward-thinking’ Jockey Club

Commenting on his new role, Mullen said he is pleased to be joining an “exciting” business with the future of horse racing its core focus.

“As a lifelong horse racing fan who has spent some of the best days of my life on racecourses, I could not be prouder to join the Jockey Club’s passionate and dedicated team through what I hope will be an exciting new chapter,” Mullen said. “The Jockey Club is a forward-thinking and exciting business with its focus firmly on the future.”

Baroness Dido Harding, senior steward for the Jockey Club, also welcomed the appointment of Mullen. She said experience will be valuable for the organisation moving forward.

“Jim will bring with him a wealth of experience and expertise, while also being a racing fan at heart who is passionate about promoting the sport and the incredible experiences we are able to offer our customers,” she said.

Interim CEO Boss added: “Jim has all of the skills and experience the Jockey Club needs to realise its full potential. I can’t think of a better person to hand the baton over to this summer.

“My energy and focus before Jim arrives will be on creating the solid foundations to ensure he and this wonderful organisation are positioned to thrive.”

During her time as CEO, Rigbye has overseen a series of major changes, including rolling out a new strategy and rebrand. Ygam also recently launched its new website to support efforts to prevent gambling harm among children and young people.

However, Rigbye, a chartered psychologist, will continue to support the charity as a trustee on the Ygam board.

“Leading Ygam has been an incredible honour,” Rigbye said. “I am immensely proud of what we have achieved as a team and I know the charity will continue to go from strength to strength.

“The work we do has never been more important. I have been continually inspired by the passion and talent of the Ygam team. While I am stepping down as CEO, I remain fully committed to Ygam’s mission and look forward to continuing to support its vital work as a trustee.”

Ygam to build on strong foundation

Prior to becoming CEO of Ygam, Rigbye spent over seven years with another gambling-focused charity in GambleAware. Here, she worked as prevention director, director of education and director of commissioning.

Earlier in her career, Rigbye also had a spell working as assistant director of commission at the Responsible Gambling Trust. In addition, she spent three years as head of youth services and policy development for GamCare.

Ygam chair Mike Wojcik paid tribute to the outgoing Rigbye. He said:  “Jane has played a pivotal role in strengthening our engagement with government and key stakeholders, championing the vital role of the third sector during a period of significant reform. We wish her all the best in her next chapter and look forward to building on the strong foundation she has helped to create.

“We are confident our senior leadership team will continue driving our strategy forward and making a meaningful impact.”

Helen Martin, currently chief operating officer at Ygam, will become interim CEO while the board seeks a permanent replacement.

Confirming the news yesterday (24 March), Zeal said Becker has decided to “pursue his own entrepreneurial activities”. He exits the business after more than 12 years with the operator.

During his time at the helm, Becker oversaw several key developments at Zeal. These include the acquisition of Lotto24, the return of Zeal to Germany and the expansion of the portfolio to include Freiheit+, Games and Traumhausverlosung.

Prior to taking on the top job at Zeal in September 2015, Becker spent two years as its chief marketing officer. He also had a spell on the company’s supervisory board.

Before joining Zeal, Becker worked as chief commercial officer at recruitment company and job search specialist Xing AG. He also had spells in various management positions at eBay Germany.

Becker: Zeal in an excellent position for growth

Commenting on his upcoming departure, Zeal said exiting the business had been a “difficult” decision. However, he maintains that he will be leaving the company in a strong position.

“Zeal is in an excellent position to continue to grow in the future,” Becker said. “After almost 10 years as CEO, I have decided that now is the right time to pursue my own entrepreneurial endeavours.

“This has been a difficult decision for me. I will especially miss our exceptionally strong team and the unique culture we have built together, characterised by innovation, customer focus and team spirit. I will continue to work hard until the end of my term to achieve the goals we have set together.”

Supervisory board chairman Peter Steiner paid tribute to the outgoing Becker. He said: “Helmut Becker has played a decisive role in taking Zeal’s business development to a new level. Under his leadership, Zeal has established itself as a market leader in the online lottery market, significantly expanded its customer base and crucially broadened its offering through innovative product development.

“On behalf of the supervisory board, I’d like to thank him for his outstanding commitment and strategic vision. We wish him all the best for his personal life and professional career.”

Zeal will immediately initiate a structured process to source Becker’s successor. The group is also due to publish its 2024 financial year results today (25 March).

First, Playtech has secured antitrust approval in Mexico for its revised strategic agreement with Caliplay.

Announced on 21 March, this approval will allow Playtech and Caliplay to proceed with their planned changes. Both parties expect the revised deal to come into effect on 31 March.

It should signal the end of a long-running saga between the two companies battling over unpaid fees. This related to uncertainties from Caliplay holding an option to redeem additional services fees from its strategic agreement with Playtech.

In September last year, Playtech and Caliplay sought to end the dispute by agreeing to terms on a new deal. This included Caliplay resuming paying its disputed software and services fees to Playtech.

Other elements include Playtech holding a 30.8% interest in Caliplay’s new US-incorporated holding company, Caliente Interactive. The two parties will also initiate a revised eight-year B2B software licence and services agreement.

Allwyn secures €450 million term loan B facility

Meanwhile, Allwyn International has secured a seven-year €475 million (£398 million/$515 million) term loan B facility.

Confirmed late last week, the successful syndication follows an initial announcement earlier this month. Allwyn Entertainment Financing (UK) will act as borrower, under a new senior facility agreement.

In addition, Allwyn has signed off on a $75 million fully fungible add-on to its existing USD term loan B, due 2031.

Proceeds from both will be used to repay existing indebtedness, general corporate purposes and to pay transaction fees and expenses.

“I’m pleased that with this transaction we have once again demonstrated the strength of investor support for our credit story on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as our continued focus on optimising the diversification, resilience and efficiency of our capital structure,” said Kenneth Morton, chief financial officer of Allwyn.

Sweden’s BOS welcomes BetConstruct as member

In other news, the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) has announced BetConstruct as its latest member.

The technology and gaming solutions provider is already active in Sweden, with its B2C brand VBET holding a licence. BetConstruct said its BOS membership supports its ongoing efforts to support the growth of igaming in the country.

“This allows us to collaborate with key industry stakeholders to promote responsible gaming, innovation and a fair competitive environment in Sweden,” said Shacke Manukyan, head of compliance at BetConstruct.

BOS secretary general Gustaf Hoffstedt added: “With BetConstruct, we are strengthening our expertise not only in the business to consumer area, but also as a game supplier.”

Rush Street Interactive adds former Delaware governor to board

In the US, Rush Street Interactive has announced the addition of Jack Markell to its board of directors.

Markell formerly served as the governor of Delaware, after first winning elected office in 1999 as state treasurer. He was also ambassador to Italy and San Marino and ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development in France.

Prior to entering public service, Markell held executive positions for Comcast, Nextel and McKinsey and Company.

“We’re excited to welcome Jack to our board,” Rush Street Interactive CEO Richard Schwartz said. “His experience in business and government will be invaluable as we continue to expand our footprint across the Americas and enhance our offerings.”

Pagcor orders licensee to pull ads from offensive show

Finally this week, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has ordered one of its licensees to pull advertising from an online TV programme deemed offensive.

Pagcor did not reveal the name of the programme in question but did state that it featured bra-less women. The regulator also did not disclose the identity of the licensee involved.

In its statement published last week, Pagcor said removing advertising would help to ensure the integrity of the local gaming industry. The regulator was informed about the issue via an online podcast.

Pagcor also confirmed the licensee involved does not own the online TV programme.

“We will not tolerate such advertising support by any of our licensees for such a demeaning and sex-oriented show,” said Jeremy Luglug, assistant vice president for the electronic gaming and licensing department at Pagcor.

Raketech said its nomination committee has already commenced its search for a new board member. This individual may also become the group’s new non-executive chairman, with a further update to be provided in due course.

Neither Raketech nor Bengtsson has revealed where he will take on his new CEO role.

“The company appreciates this is an opportunity for Ulrik,” Raketech said. “We thank him for his contribution and dedication to the Raketech board since joining in May 2021.”

Bengtsson: CEO role the ‘right professional move’

In addition to chairing the Raketech board, Bengtsson is chair of Hostelworld Group and City Gaming. He also works with advisory firm Valluga Edge.

Highly experienced in the gambling sector, Bengtsson was group CEO at William Hill between September 2019 and September 2022. Prior to this, he had a spell as the operator’s chief digital officer.

Earlier in his career, Bengtsson was group CEO of Betsson for over five years. He also spent time in two CEO positions within the Modern Times Group. In addition, he worked in sales roles with Telenor, CtrlPrint and IBM.

Most recently, Bengtsson worked across several senior positions at Virgin Media O2 between April 2023 and May 2024.

“Stepping back into a full-time CEO role feels like the right professional move for me and the opportunity I have been presented with is compelling,” Bengtsson said. “I am confident that the entire Raketech board and executive team remain dedicated to strengthening the balance sheet and shaping an exciting strategy that I expect will be unveiled to investors in the coming months.”

“I’m leaving it to others to carry it on. That said, it’s a fantastic industry. I’d recommend it to anyone. I had an incredible time and don’t regret a thing, but it’s behind me now and I’m happy to let others take the reins.”  

Alexander joined the sector in 2000, he took a job with Sportingbet via an ad he spotted in the Racing Post. In 2007 he took the helm at GVC Holdings (now Entain). In 2016 and 2017 the group closed two multi-billion-pound deals to acquire Bwin.Party and Ladbrokes Coral.  

Kenny was revered as a leader in the sector throughout the mobile betting boom, helping to turn GVC into a FTSE 250 corporation and one of the leading European operators during his tenure. He retired from GVC in 2020.  

But in June 2023, FS Group, an investment vehicle backed by Alexander, took a 6.57% stake in 888. Shortly after that, Alexander, along with Lee Feldman and former Entain CFO Stephen Morana, filed a bid to take over 888 Holdings. But the Gambling Commission intervened and the bid was dismissed.  

“It was an exciting experience, especially in the early days when the industry was new, with internet bookmakers just emerging at the time. It was a fast-moving, dynamic sector to be a part of and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it,” Alexander told BettingJobs.  

He remains active in the racing space as a horse owner and is embroiled in a couple of active legal cases relating to his time in the industry.  

Alexander embroiled in legal cases 

In February the Financial Times reported Alexander and former Entain chairman Lee Feldman launched legal action against both Entain and the law firm that represented the operator in the Turkey case. 

The pair are suing the two parties for sharing “privileged information” with investigators during the 2019 bribery case involving Entain’s former Turkey business. The Turkey case was settled via a voluntary Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in November 2023.  

Entain agreed to pay a financial penalty plus disgorgement of profits totalling £585 million, plus a £20 million charitable donation and £10 million in CPS and HMRC costs. 

A separate case was initiated by Alexander and Feldman against the Gambling Commission over claims it misused their private information during the 888 bid. 

The two claim to have “suffered damage, distress and embarrassment, as well as the loss of standing, as a result of the misuse of their private information and/or the breaches of confidence” by the Gambling Commission, according to the Racing Post. 

An experienced senior executive with nearly 20 years of expertise, Neilan has worked in both the public and private sectors. She is currently executive director for strategy within the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) organisation.

Prior to this, she had spells in senior roles with the Victorian Building Authority, including executive director of service delivery. She also spent six years with Tenix Solutions, which specialises in infrastructure maintenance and engineering products and services.

Neilan backed to ensure integrity and fairness

VGCCC chair, Chris O’Neill, said that Neilan will bring significant senior leadership experience in regulation, transformation and customer service. He also noted her track record in delivering large scale technology and legislative change programmes in regulated settings.

“As the VGCCC enters the next phase of the programme of transformation we began three years ago, Suzy’s experience leading digital and technology transformation, and her deep understanding of education, enforcement and compliance will continue to ensure the Commission is well placed to meet future challenges and ensure the integrity, safety and fairness of the gambling industry,” O’Neill said.

“Suzy’s commitment to achieving regulatory outcomes that benefit Victorians makes her a strong leader to support the Commission and head the agency’s executive leadership team.”

O’Neill also paid tribute to the outgoing Kimmitt, noting she has been instrumental in the regulator’s evolution.

“Annette’s holistic vision and tenacious drive led the Commission’s transformation in its first years. And with strategic focus, determined how we would work with the industry to ensure that our mandate to regulate in the public interest would be met.”

Regulator clamping down in Victoria

The appointment comes amid a flurry of regulatory activity at the VGCCC. In recent weeks, the regulator has handed out a series of fines to operators that have breached rules in the state.

Last week, the Peninsula Club in Dromana was fined AU$7,000 (£3,406/€4,040/US$4,396) for underage gambling. The club allowed a child to enter its gambling area on two occasions on 10 June 2023.

During the second visit, the child used a poker machine for approximately five minutes before staff intervened.

In February, fines were also issued to two other Victoria venues, concluding a long-term separate investigation into how an underage, neurodivergent boy was able to gamble at several locations.

Correct Bet, operator of the Coburg TAB outlet, was fined $3,000, and Supreme Edinburgh, trading as the Duke of Edinburgh in Brunswick, $2,500. Both venues pleaded guilty to underage gambling charges.

The VGCCC announced its first fines in relation to its underage gambling crackdown in September 2023. In total, almost half a million dollars in fines were handed out to a host of venues.

In his new role, Goldstein will assist management with government relations activities, efforts to pursue new physical development opportunities and gaming strategies.

The Sands board intends to name Patrick Dumont, currently president and chief operating officer, as the new CEO. This remains subject to final approval.

Replacing Adelson as CEO

Goldstein has led Sands as CEO since January 2021, taking over following the passing of the operator’s founder, Sheldon Adelson.

He initially served in the role on a temporary basis when Adelson took an initial medical leave of absence to undergo treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Adelson died in January 2021, having steered Sands since its founding in 1988.

Prior to becoming CEO, Goldstein worked in a series of roles across the business, having joined Sands in 1995. These include spells as president of global gaming operations and executive vice president, then president and chief operating officer of The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas.

His most recent role before CEO was president and chief operating officer for the casino group. He has also served on the Sands board since January 2015.

Goldstein and his wife, Sheryl, have also been actively involved in many Las Vegas charitable and civic causes over the years. They have served on numerous boards and been generous donors to a variety of organisations, including Opportunity Village, Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas.

Sands’ appreciation for Goldstein

Commenting on his departure, Goldstein said that he will continue to support the group’s growth over the coming year and in his new advisory role.

“This company transformed the industry from a gaming-centric model to the integrated resort model,” he said. “Through a different strategic approach in each market, [it] meaningfully changed the tourism landscape in Las Vegas, Macao and Singapore

“I look forward to using the years ahead to help the team build toward another great chapter in this company’s history.”

Miriam Adelson, co-founder and majority shareholder of Sands and Adelson’s widow, paid tribute to the outgoing Goldstein. She spoke of her family’s “great appreciation” for his leadership and contributions to the business.

“He has left an indelible mark on the history of the company and our family will always be thankful for it,” Adelson said. “Sheldon deeply appreciated Rob’s friendship and counsel and he would be very grateful for everything Rob has given over the past three decades.”

Growth at Sands in 2024

The announcement follows a positive 2024 for Sands, during which it reported a rise in both revenue and net profit.

Published in January, the results show revenue for the 12 months to 31 December reached $11.30 billion (£8.76 billion/€10.43 billion). This surpasses the previous year by 9.0%.

Boucher takes on the position having served on the GambleAware board of trustees since December 2023. He was also serving as deputy chair of the charity.

Alongside his work with GambleAware, Boucher serves in various other roles with several organisations outside the industry. He is London place director for Business in the Community and partnership director for the Social Mobility Business Partnership.

Boucher is also chair of Sir George Monoux sixth form college and vice chair and honorary secretary of charity Making the Leap.

“It is a critical time to be taking on this role as chair of GambleAware,” Boucher said. “I am looking forward to leading the charity through this period of change.

“I am committed to ensuring the future gambling harms system builds on the success and expertise within the charity, which has been a driving force and leader in this space for many years.”

Griffiths exits GambleAware as new levy begins

Incidentally, Griffiths stepping down from the role coincides with the introduction of the new statutory levy in Britain.

Announced in November, this supports the government’s plans to raise £100 million (€119.3 million/$128.7 million) for gambling-related harm prevention via a percentage of industry stakeholder profits. 

Last week, gambling minister Baroness Twycross confirmed the levy would come into effect from 6 April.

“Gambling harms are a serious public health challenge, intertwined with inequalities and poverty,” Griffiths said in her departing comments. “They occur across all walks of life and can affect anyone.

“By working in partnership with others and listening to the voice of the lived experience community, I hope an evidence-led, population-health approach, supported by appropriate statutory funding, will prevent and reduce harm for all those affected.”

US president Donald Trump has said he will pardon baseball legend Pete Rose and hit out at the decision to exclude him from the sport’s Hall of Fame.

Rose was banned from baseball for life after admitting to betting on the sport back in 2004 but never bet against his own team. His bid for reinstatement was rejected in 2015.

Rose, who also served five months in prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion in 1990, died last year aged 83.

Writing on social media last week, Trump said he will pursue a “complete pardon” for Rose.

“He never betted against himself, or the other team. He had the most hits, by far, in baseball history and won more games than anyone in sports history,” Trump said, according to ESPN.

Genting Berhad appoints new CEO

Meanwhile, Genting Berhad has announced the appointment of Dato’ Sri Tan Kong Han as its new CEO with immediate effect.

He takes on the role having served as the president, chief operating officer and executive director of Genting Berhad for 18 years.

Dato’ Sri Tan will now step down as CEO of Genting Plantations Berhad. However, he remains president and executive director of Genting Berhad, a position he has held since January 2020.

He replaces Tan Sri Lim Kok as CEO, the operator confirmed last week. The former CEO will now become executive chairman of the group after almost two decades at the helm.

Altenar scores MerkurXtip sportsbook deal

In other news, Altenar has entered into a new sportsbook partnership with Czech operator MerkurXtip, formerly known as Gauselmann Group.

Under the deal, Altenar will provide its fully managed sportsbook solution to MerkurXtip. It will replace the existing sportsbook product on the operator’s merkurxtip.cz website.

Altenar has had a presence in the Czech Republic since 2024 through its partnerships with Kingsbet CZ and DATA.BET.

“We will combine our strengths and expertise to create new opportunities, improve offerings and drive forward innovation,” MerkurXtip CZ CEO Stanislav Sopko said.

MGM and BetMGM extend responsible gambling projects

Elsewhere, MGM Resorts International and BetMGM have expanded several responsible gambling initiatives.

MGM will donate $180,000 to Kindbridge Research Institute to support studies on the impact of sports betting across various populations and the development of responsible gaming strategies. BetMGM is also expanding its Kindbridge Behavioural Health referral programme across the US.

Meanwhile, MGM and BetMGM will increase GameSense responsible gaming messaging within their digital platforms and retail sportsbooks.

In addition, MGM, BetMGM and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas will expand community outreach to include universities by engaging with Gaming Law students.

Pope betting markets open

Finally this week, several websites are taking bets from customers on who they think will be the next pope.

Pope Francis remains in the hospital with well-publicised health problems, raising questions as to whether he will resign. Meanwhile, speculation has begun as to who could take over if he does step down.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin is currently the favourite to take on the role, according to OLBG.com. Luis Antonio Tagle and Peter Turkson are also among the leading names.

Customers can also bet on which name the new pope will take, with Francis leading the betting.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has expressed concern in the proliferation of illegal betting in the UK following the release of a new study that shows a significant rise in player activity across illegal gambling websites in the UK.

Published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities’ council on anti-illegal betting and related crime, the report shows 522% growth in website traffic to unlicensed sites between 2021 and 2024,

During that time unique visits to 22 of the most popular non-licensed sites skyrocketed, the report claimed. From January to September 2024, more than 600,000 unique visits were reported every month.

In the same period, the report claims unique visits per month to 10 legal UK licensed sites grew by just 49%.

“From the outset of the Gambling Act Review, British racing has repeatedly warned of the unintended consequences of well-meaning policy decisions on our sport, including the threat of inadvertently growing illegal market activity,” BHA acting chief executive Brant Dunshea said. “This study certainly demonstrates that very concerning threat is becoming reality.”

More illegal gambling websites blocked in Australia

On the subject of illegal gambling, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued blocking orders for eight websites.

JokaRoom, AUDPokies888, Aura Play, Instant Casino, Leon, Rich Papa, UUSpin and Wild Pokies all face being blocked. ACMA has requested Australian internet service providers block access to each site.

Some 1,154 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked since ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019.

In addition, approximately 220 illegal services have exited Australia since ACMA started enforcing its new illegal online gambling rules in 2017.

“ACMA is reminding consumers that even if a service looks legitimate, it’s unlikely to have important customer protections,” ACMA said.

Aristocrat Interactive welcomes new igaming MD

In the US, Aristocrat Interactive has appointed Nir Hakarmeli as the managing director of its igaming and sports division.

Hakarmeli joins Aristocrat Interactive having worked in the gambling industry since 2014. He started out as head of gaming at William Hill before moving to Ladbrokes Coral.

Hakarmeli then became chief marketing officer of Addison Global, the company behind the MoPlay brand. He was most recently managing director for international at Evoke.

“What excites me most about this role is the opportunity to drive growth by delivering a diverse range of innovative offerings to operators worldwide,” said Hakarmeli, as he officially took on his new position at Aristocrat Interactive in January.

“The chance to contribute to this growth and lead a team with the potential to become a true global leader in the coming years is incredibly motivating.”

Abios partners Kindred on esports betting

Finally this week, Kambi Group subsidiary Abios has entered into an esports betting deal with Kindred Group.

As part of the agreement, Abios will provide its range of esports betting solutions to Kindred. This includes odds, data, widgets and always-on content.

This will be in addition to the esports odds service Abios currently provides to Kindred as part of Kambi’s turnkey sportsbook service. 

The new content will be available across Kindred’s Unibet and 32Red brands.

Ben Colley, sportsbook director of Kindred, said: “Esports continues to grow in popularity and it’s essential that we offer our customers the best possible experience in this exciting category.”

Isaacs had been in the role for five months after assuming the CEO role in September. Prior to joining Entain, Isaacs held numerous senior executive roles within the B2B sector. He most recently served as chair of Games Global and previously held board roles at DraftKings, Jackpocket and SBTech.

As an executive he led Scientific Games and SHFL as CEO and served as COO of Bally Technologies and president of the Americas for Aristocrat.

Entain’s investment in Isaacs

Upon joining Entain Isaacs was handed a basic annual salary of £875,000 and he was entitled to a long-term incentive plan equivalent to 450% of his basic salary.

His pay package also included a 6% pension allowance and relocation assistance to support his move from the US to the UK.

The company also provided a buy-out award to compensate for awards forfeited as Isaacs stepped down as Games Global chair to join Entain.

The industry responded largely positively to Isaacs joining Entain last year. Writing for iGB in August Jon Bruford praised Isaacs for recognising the importance of building a great team.

MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle approved of Isaacs’ hire at Entain, saying he would “do wonders for that business and ultimately the market”.

“Mutual” decision for Isaacs exit

In its statement Entain said Isaacs’ departure was a “mutual” decision. The board is pleased with the company’s performance in 2024, it added.

“Entain is making strong progress in delivering our strategic priorities” the investor update said. “We would like to thank Gavin for his contribution.

“The board and management remain aligned on the group’s focus on operational excellence and maximising shareholder value. I look forward to leading the business as we continue to accelerate our performance.”

Entain FY2024 EBITDA guidance remains the same

As David reassumes the role of CEO, senior independent director Pierre Bouchut will become non-executive chair on an interim basis. Bouchut joined the Entain board in 2018 and previously worked predominantly in the fast moving consumer goods sector.

The company said it is still expecting its January FY2024 EBITDA guidance to be at the top of the £1.04 billion to £1.09 billion range.

Entain will release its FY2024 results and an update on current trading on 6 March 2025.

Isaacs sat down with iGB@ICE in January to discuss his long career in B2B gaming and giving Entain brands more flexibility.

Shares in the operator were trading down 9.59% at 671.00 pence per share in London following Isaacs’ departure.

During his time as chair, Mattingley oversaw several major developments at Playtech. These include the disposal of Snaitech and securing a revised strategic agreement with Caliplay, a joint venture between Playtech and Mexican operator Caliente.

In addition to almost 10 years as CEO of 888, Mattingley has held several other senior roles in the industry. These include chief financial officer of Gala Coral Group and CEO of Ritz Bingo.

Mattingley “an outstanding chair”

“It has been an absolute privilege to serve as chair of Playtech and to help steward the company through an important phase of growth and transition,” Mattingley said. “I am proud of the milestones we have achieved as Playtech prepares to embark on a new chapter as a predominantly pure-play B2B business.

“It is with that in mind that I feel now is the right time to step down. I would like to thank my fellow board members, the leadership team and, above all, the wider Playtech family for their passion and commitment.”

Playtech CEO Mor Weizer added: “Brian has been an outstanding chair, offering invaluable guidance, constructive challenge and unwavering dedication to the team during a time of significant transformation at Playtech.

“We have benefitted enormously from his strong relationships across the industry and his depth of knowledge and experience. His presence on the board will be greatly missed and we wish him the very best.”

Playtech to restructure committees

In other board news, Playtech is to restructure several of its committees, with effect from 1 March this year.

This will see the Regulatory & Compliance and the Sustainability & Public Policy Committees merged. By doing so, Playtech said this will provide combined oversight of these areas.

Playtech non-executive director Linda Marston-Weston will chair the new-look Sustainability & Compliance Committee, with senior independent director Ian Penrose and non-exec director Samy Reeb as ordinary members.

Meanwhile, Anna Massion is stepping down as non-executive director and chair of the Remuneration Committee, with effect from 28 February. Playtech plans to appoint a new non-executive director in due course.

Reeb will lead the Remuneration Committee as chair from 1 March. He will also continue to serve as a member of the Audit & Risk Committee.

With Konings to leave on 1 March, NOGA said it is considering the future and the content of the directorship.

Konings said: “I have enjoyed fulfilling the role of interim director at NOGA during this important period of strategic reorientation. Now that this reorientation is progressing steadily, I have decided not to extend my agreement.

“I’m proud of what we have achieved together and will continue to work for NOGA’s objectives until my last day. For now, I would like to thank the board for the trust they have placed in me.”

Seven years at NOGA

Konings originally joined NOGA and its predecessor Speel Verantwoord as chair in 2018. He went on to help guide the group through the establishment of the Dutch online gaming market in 2021. Konings held a series of roles at Kindred Group between 2014 and 2022, most recently as sports betting integrity officer.

Sanna van Doorn, NOGA vice chair, said: “We are very grateful to Eric for his efforts over the past seven years, in the capacity of chairman, policy advisor and interim director. His involvement and expertise in this challenging sector were of great value.

“Eric played an important role in the establishment of NOGA and in representing the interests of its members over the years. On behalf of the board and our members, I would like to thank him and wish Eric all the best in his future projects and ambitions.”

Fighting illegal gambling in Netherlands

In recent months NOGA, along with neighbouring association Licensed Dutch Online Gambling Providers (VNLOK), has focused its attention on the growing black market threat in the Netherlands.

Both parties rallied against illegal gambling in October, calling for greater monitoring of the black market after new data from the country’s regulator suggested lower-than-expected channelisation rates.

In November the two trade associations launched a new reporting portal to identify and tackle illegal online gambling in the country.

Rutherford moves into the role having served as deputy CEO of the Isle of Man regulator since June 2013. He also previously had a spell as its director of policy and legislation.

Prior to this, he worked in multiple roles within the island’s public service, including at the Income Tax Division.

“There is an important opportunity to strengthen the Isle of Man’s defences against financial crime,” Rutherford said. “I am embarking on an ambitious programme of reform to reinforce the powers we must supervise and regulate the gambling sector.

“I’m also working closely with partner agencies to understand the emerging threat that faces the island’s gambling sector. It is imperative we continue to review and adapt our approach to stay aligned with evolving challenges.”

Gambling “core” to Isle of Man digital growth

His appointment has been approved by the Department for Enterprise Executive Agency at the Digital Isle of Man executive agency.

“Mark’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment,” Digital Isle of Man CEO Lyle Wraxall said. “Effective and robust regulation is crucial to maintaining the integrity of our digital economy and ensuring the island remains competitive in the global market.

“Under his leadership, we are confident the GSC will further enhance the island’s reputation as a trusted, forward-thinking jurisdiction for igaming and related industries.”

Wraxall believes Rutherford will oversee the growth of igaming within the Isle of Man. He described the island’s gambling sector as “core” to Digital Isle of Man’s egaming strategy, which is currently in development.

“The strategy will mark the start of a renewed effort to drive growth, adapt to market changes and strengthen the island’s reputation as a destination for high-quality egaming businesses,” Wraxall said.

“By refining our approach and addressing key challenges, we aim to boost confidence in the sector. This will help to ensure its ongoing contribution to the economy.”

Kimberley Broad, chair of the eGaming Strategic Advisory Board, also welcomed the new appointment. She said: “It is my pleasure to congratulate Mark on his appointment to CEO of the GSC.

“Egaming is the second largest contributor to the island’s GDP. It’s therefore essential that our regulatory framework continues to be strong and effective. Accordingly, the board and I look forward to working with Mark and his team to ensure the continued success of the industry on the island.”

The gambling world was surprised to see the 15 January announcement that Keith Whyte is stepping down as executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). Whyte, a titan of the RG/PG sector, had held the position since 1998. The NCPG press release said the resignation was effective as of 13 January.

Nancy Green has been appointed interim executive director and the council said it would appoint a permanent successor later this year. In a LinkedIn post, Whyte said it’s “time for a new challenge” after nearly 30 years with the NCPG. Over that time, he was a key advocate for problem and responsible gambling, often as the lone voice in the room.

“There are far too many to thank here, but I hope you know how deeply I appreciate all the innovative leaders, passionate advocates, dedicated staff, engaged members, generous supporters and friends who have inspired, challenged and helped me on my journey over the years,” Whyte wrote.

“I will continue to work on responsible gambling and gambling addiction issues and look forward to a time when comprehensive prevention, education, treatment, enforcement, responsible gambling, research and recovery services are available, accessible and affordable for all.”

What have you done for me lately?

The last weeks of Joe Biden’s presidency have been anything but status quo for Indian Country. In a short span of time, the outgoing administration has made several controversial approvals of tribal casinos.

One such casino is near Windsor, California, proposed by the Koi Nation and approved by the Department of Interior (DoI) on 13 January. Early plans call for a casino with 2,750 slots, 105 tables, a 400-room hotel and more. The tribe first requested that the land be put into trust in 2021. If all goes to plan, construction is tentatively slated to start in 2026 and last for 18-24 months.

The Koi’s biggest detractor is the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, among California’s most powerful tribes. According to the Press Democrat, Graton chair Greg Sarris said the decision was a “clear failure” by the government that sets “a dangerous precedent” of off-reservation approvals.

Another controversial decision came in Medford, Oregon, where the Coquille Indian tribe got DoI approval on 10 January for an off-reservation casino project that is a decade-plus in the making. According to KTVL, three dissenting tribes filed suit in federal court the same day asking for a temporary restraining order. Additionally, Senator Ron Wyden told the outlet that he would “fight this senseless decision with all the options available”.

Despite the controversy, the Coquilles wasted no time installing Class II slots at the site of the proposed casino. According to a 15 January report from the Rogue Valley Times, there are a couple of dozen machines available to patrons at a building that was formerly a bowling alley.

FanDuel taps Manning brothers for Super Bowl ad

FanDuel announced on 10 January that NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning will headline the bookmaker’s Super Bowl campaign. The brothers, who’ve won two Super Bowls each, will go head-to-head in ‘Kick of Destiny 3’. This will include a live kicking competition on Fox where each will attempt a 25-yard field goal. FanDuel is allowing users to make free picks on the contest for the chance to win bonuses. 

“With the Kick of Destiny, we set out to make FanDuel a part of Super Bowl Sunday,” FanDuel executive vice president of marketing Andrew Sneyd said in a statement. “For year three, we’re raising the stakes by introducing a rivalry and a head-to-head Kick of Destiny competition. Peyton and Eli Manning will make history by competing against each other live for the first time in Super Bowl history. May the best Manning win!”

Kindbridge extends services to LA fire victims

Problem gambling counseling provider Kindbridge Behavioral Health announced on 15 January that it is offering free mental health services to those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. The fires, still active, look to be among the costliest in US history. They have destroyed thousands of structures and displaced thousands of residents. 

Kindgridge said the services were made possible through its partners. Those mentioned include “the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA), EPIC Global Solutions, DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, PrizePicks, Underdog, DruvStar and Doura-Schawohl Consulting LLC”. 

For those interested, visit Kindbridge.com/wildfire-support or contact 1-877-426-4258.

Caesars, Bragg ink wide-ranging deal

On 15 January back-end supplier Bragg Gaming Group and Caesars Entertainment announced a technology platform and games development partnership for the US and Canadian markets. Bragg will collaborate with Caesars’ in-house studio to develop content for the latter’s online platforms. This includes Caesars Palace Online Casino, Horseshoe Online Casino and Caesars Sportsbook & Casino.

The new partnership elevates Bragg’s relationship with Caesars from a content supplier to a technology partner. The deal is projected to help drive double-digit growth in both Bragg’s revenue and profitability in 2025, particularly in North America – a key strategic focus for Bragg’s expansion efforts in 2025.

Worth the read

Stakeholders around the gaming industry have long said that they are losing the PR battle. One such example is this recent Esquire piece from Mitchell S Jackson. In it, Jackson explores the growth of legal sports betting and how the industry is predatory to the black community. Similar criticisms have been levied at the lottery industry for decades. Now sports betting is facing similar pushback.

ICYMI on iGB

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An industry veteran of 20 years, Fitzsimons has worked in gambling across Asia, Europe and the US. He has been serving as executive director of wagering products at the HKJC since September 2025. He also had a spell as its director of trading.

Prior to the HKJC, he spent over six years as director of international trading and operations at Stars Group. Here, he oversaw the roll-out of the PokerStars Sportsbook and relaunched SkyBet in Germany and Italy.

Other industry roles include trading director at Gambit, director of Sporting Hedges and trading manager for Cantor Fitzgerald.

Fitzsimons has also been serving as chairman of the Asia Pacific Lottery Association since October 2024. He is also an executive committee member of both the World Tote Association and United Lotteries for Integrity in Sports.

CEO welcomes “rare find” Fitzsimons

Tabcorp managing director and CEO elect, Gillon McLachlan, welcomed the appointment. He said Fitzsimons is a “rare find” due to his vast industry experience.

“Michael is one of the world’s most sought-after wagering executives,” McLachlan said. “He brings extensive global sports betting experience to Tabcorp. He has a deep knowledge of international sports betting, trading and tote.

“He knows digital and retail wagering and is one of the few people in the world who can connect both to grow a wagering product.”

New-look management team at Tabcorp

Chief wagering officer is just one of several new roles at Tabcorp. Last month, the group set out details of its new executive leadership team structure, which also included creating a chief commercial and media officer position.

Fitzsimons’ role, Tabcorp said, brings together the wagering functions of digital, retail, trading, marketing and product, including Tote innovation.

Meanwhile, the chief commercial and media officer role aims to deliver stronger commercial outcomes. Jarrod Villani, most recently regional leader of media business Paramount ANZ, has been appointed to the position.

“The creation of a chief wagering officer is a significant uplift in wagering capability within our executive team,” McLachlan said. “The simpler vertical structure brings all levers that grow wagering together under one executive to ensure first class execution.”

Bajela joins Cherry Play after almost four years as chief commercial officer of Stakelogic. In this time, she played a part in the platform’s €130 million (£110 million/$133 million) sale to Sega Sammy.

Prior to this, she was business development manager for SoftGamings. She also had spells at ELKO Group and Advaita International.

“Having helped build and sell Stakelogic, I’m now ready to take on a new challenge,” Bajela said. “I couldn’t be happier to have been appointed as CEO of Cherry Play.

“Innovation covers so much more than game mechanics and with our unique commercial model. I am confident we are going to disrupt the slot provision space.”

Cherry Play partners Bragg to support launch

When fully active, Cherry Play will offer operators access to a range of slot and casino games.

To support its launch, Cherry Play is partnering with Bragg. This will see Bragg serve as the studio’s exclusive technology and distribution partner.

As part of this arrangement, Cherry Play games will be developed on the Bragg technology stack. The first two slot titles are due to launch later this week.

Bragg CEO and chairman Matevz Mazij talked up this new partnership. He said Cherry Play’s approach to delivering localised online casino content will benefit Bragg clients around the world.

“The Cherry Play team’s extensive experience of the Netherlands regulated market will undoubtedly benefit Bragg as we continue to expand our strong position in that market,” Mazij said.

“Our new partnership with Cherry Play will also allow us to offer some great new online casino content. This will not only be to our Dutch operator partners, but those operators in the wider European and RoW markets.”

Bajela added: “Cherry Play is here to make an impact, and we can’t wait to launch our first title.”

Prior to this, he was senior vice president and managing director for the EMEA region.

Earlier in his time at Light & Wonder, Johnson had a spell as interim managing director in the UK for the group’s gaming segment. He also spent time as group commercial director for this area of the business.

Johnson has only ever worked for Light & Wonder in the gambling sector. Before joining the industry, he worked in various senior roles across investment banking, telecommunications, private equity and financial technology.

As igaming CEO, Johnson will report directly into Light & Wonder president and CEO Matt Wilson. He will also now join the group’s executive leadership team.

“Simon has been with Light & Wonder since 2017; he has been instrumental in driving the international commercial efforts,” the group said.

Writing on LinkedIn, Johnson added: “As we embark on a new year, I am energised by the opportunities ahead. I am eager to work with our incredibly talented igaming team across the world.”

Continued momentum for igaming at Light & Wonder

Johnson’s appointment comes off the back of yet another successful quarter for the Light & Wonder igaming segment.

In Q3, revenue from igaming increased by 5.7% year-on-year to $74 million (£60 million/€72 million). This, the group said, reflected continued momentum in North America and Europe, as well as new content launches. Player spending on igaming during Q3 hit $22.8 billion.

As for the wider business, revenue was $817 million, a rise of 11.8%. Net profit took a 14.7% hit down to $64 million amid higher cost, but consolidated adjusted EBITDA jumped 11.5% to $319 million.

For the year-to-date, revenue in the three-quarter period was 12.1% higher at $2.39 billion. Bottom-line net profit at Light & Wonder hit $228 million, up 137.5%, while consolidated adjusted EBITDA grew 13.6% to $926 million.

Such was the success of Q3, and indeed year-to-date, that Light & Wonder recommitted to its 2025 consolidated adjusted EBITDA target of $1.4 billion.

An experienced executive, John has worked in senior roles across a range of companies during his career. Prior to Fortuna, he was CEO and chairman of real estate company Planet Home Group.

Other positions include executive vice president of Airbus Group and group chief financial officer of Eurocopter Group. He also served as president and CEO of Bombardier Transportation for Central and Eastern Europe and CIS.

“Dieter has a deep understanding of our business and has been key in executing our strategy,” Fortuna said. “With his strong track record in growing and transforming complex international organisations, Dieter is well-equipped to lead us into the next phase of growth and success.”

Corcoran steps down from the helm at Fortuna

John is replacing Corcoran, who spent two and a half years as the CEO of Fortuna. Fortuna praised Corcoran for the impact he has had on the business during his time as CEO.

“We’d like to take a moment to thank Victor for his dedication and invaluable contributions as CEO,” Fortuna said. “His leadership has been instrumental in driving our progress.”

Headquartered in the Czech capital of Prague, Fortuna also has a presence across Slovakia, Poland, Croatia and Romania. The group employs more than 5,600 within this network.

Andersson will become CFO with effect from 18 February while Kaplan will remain in an advisory position to the business for a short period.

A newcomer to the industry, Andersson has worked in senior roles across a several financial entities. He has most recently worked as CFO at Nordics-focused real estate private equity firm Slättö.

Prior to this, Andersson was CFO at Cint Group, a Swedish software development company. He also held several senior roles with listed Swedish investment business Kinnevik and worked for Banque Invik Luxembourg Filial.

“I’m looking forward to collaborating with the talented team at Evolution to further strengthen the company’s financial position and continue delivering value to its stakeholders,” Andersson said on LinkedIn.

Carlesund backs Andersson to strengthen Evolution

Evolution CEO Martin Carlesund also commented on the senior management change. He paid tribute to the outgoing Kaplan and backed Andersson to pick up where he left off.

“I want to thank Jacob for his work and contribution to the development of Evolution into the group we are today,” Carlesund said. “He has been an integral part of our management team and played a key role in our expansion and mission to improve the company each day.

“At the same time, I am very much looking forward to working with Joakim. He has a strong background as an accomplished CFO. He will strengthen our team and help the company take the next steps in its development.”

Evolution faces UK licence review

The appointment follows the news that the UK Gambling Commission has launched a review of Evolution’s operating licence.

Last month, the Commission said it found Evolution games were being provided to unlicensed operators in the UK. Evolution vowed to cooperate fully with the investigation.

The group has already “taken requested immediate action to remedy the situation”. Content has been taken down from an illegal website while Evolution said it will actively work with the Commission to resolve the issue.

The UK accounts for roughly 3% of Evolution’s reported revenue.

Meanwhile, the new chief commercial and media officer role, Tabcorp said, will help deliver stronger commercial outcomes. Jarrod Villani, most recently the regional leader of media business Paramount ANZ, has been appointed to the position.

Villani will also be tasked with maximising assets across domestic and international media and the retail footprint. In addition, he takes responsibility for Tabcorp’s Max gaming services business.

Other new additions to the leadership team

Alongside this, Tabcorp has made several other appointments across its executive leadership team. These include Narelle McKenzie taking on the role of chief legal officer.

McKenzie joins Tabcorp after almost 20 years at Telstra, where she served in multiple general counsel roles. During her career, McKenzie has advised various regulated technology and telecommunications companies in Australia and the UK.

Elsewhere, Robert Fraser has been appointed as chief technology and transformation officer at Tabcorp. He previously worked as the group’s chief transformation officer, overseeing the design and execution of the Genesis Programme and successful separation from the Lottery Corporation.

Tabcorp noted that all appointments are subject to relevant regulatory approvals. The group also revealed that as part of the executive leadership team reshuffle, chief customer officer Jenni Barnett and chief information officer Alan Sharvin are leaving the business.

Tabcorp says changes will help drive growth

Commenting on the changes, Tabcorp managing director and CEO-elect Gillon McLachlan said the new-look team represents a simpler model that will help bring the wagering team together.

“The changes to our structure will increase our wagering capability and drive growth across both wagering and media,” McLachlan said. “It allows one executive to control the key wagering assets within our ecosystem.

“You’re seeing continued change. We will have an executive team with market leading experience in wagering and media. They will be responsible for driving our revenue and will have control of the assets that only Tabcorp has at its disposal in the Australian wagering market.

“We are moving quickly to execute on the exciting opportunities that lie within our unique asset base and today’s changes are an example of that.”

Year of change at Tabcorp

The announcement comes at the end of a year of significant change for Tabcorp. In March, Adam Rytenskild resigned as CEO and managing director amid allegations of “inappropriate and offensive” language in the workplace.

At the time, Tabcorp said its board had become aware of the allegations, with this language being “inconsistent” with his leadership. Following discussions with the board, Rytenskild tendered his resignation.

McLachlan was appointed as his replacement in June. He was previously chief executive of the Australian Football League (AFL).

However, the saga may not necessarily be over. In a November interview with the Australian Financial Review, Rytenskild hit out at how Tabcorp handled the situation, saying he was put “six feet under” without warning.

An experienced industry professional, Bateson has worked across a range of board and C-Suite roles in the B2C and B2B lottery sectors. This includes positions in the North America as well as the UK and Europe.

Prior to joining Intralot, Bateson worked for Jumbo Interactive, serving as an international advisor and chief commercial officer. He also spent two and a half years at Camelot, with spells as commercial director and senior vice president international.

Bateson also had an earlier, lengthier spell with former UK lottery operator Camelot where he worked across a range of roles. These included marketing director and head of scratchcards. Sandwiched between these was a near-five-year stint as commercial director and senior vice president of sales and marketing at Camelot Global.

Aside from working at Intralot, Bateson has in recent years worked across consultancy and advisory roles. This includes as a consultant for Camelot UK Lotteries since January 2020 and a lottery advisor to Teneo since August 2020.

Intralot also welcomes new accounting director

Eksewhere, Intralot has appointed Georgios Xanthos as its new tax and accounting director.

Xanthos will assume his new role with effect from 1 January 2025. He has been working as consolidation accounting director at Intralot since November 2021.

Tricky 2024 for Intralot as Argentina currency woes continue

The double appointment comes in the wake of Intralot this month publishing its nine-month results for 2024.

As was the case in H1 and Q1, the period was impacted by economic issues in Argentina. Economic reforms in the country in late 2023 hit the exchange rate and affected Intralot’s overall performance in 2024.

As such, total revenue in the nine months hit €263.5 million (£218.2 million/$276.8 million). This falls 5.9% short of €280 million during the same nine months last year.

An experienced executive, Counsell has been senior independent director at the Gambling Commission since April 2024. He first joined the regulator in September 2023 as a non-executive director.

Prior to this, Counsell worked as CEO of the pensions regulator for four years. Earlier in his career, he also had a spell as executive director of automatic enrolment at the organisation.

During his time as CEO of the pensions regulator, Counsell developed a new corporate strategy. He also delivered its first equality, diversity and inclusion and climate change strategies.

Sandwiched in between his two spells at the pensions regulator was 18 months as CEO of the Money Advice Service.

Counsell to oversee new Gambling Act reforms

Counsell joins the Gambling Commission as it gears up for significant change. The government last month announced several new reforms as a result of the Gambling Act Review and subsequent white paper.

First, a new statutory levy on gambling profits will replace the current voluntary scheme. This rate will range from 0.1% to 1.1% of gross gambling yield (GGY), dependent on the sector, vertical and the type of gambling offered by each business.

The government is hoping to raise an additional £100 million (€121 million/$126 million). Operators can expect the new statutory levy to come into effect from some point next year.

The second key change in rules and regulations relates to stake limits for online slots. Players aged 18 to 24 will soon be limited to a maximum bet of £2 per spin. This will be set higher at £5 for players over the age of 25.

A former Chinese footballer who played in the English Premier League for Everton has been jailed for 20 years for match-fixing.

Li Tie, who also managed China’s national team, pleaded guilty in March to taking over $16.0 million (£12.7 million/€15.2 million) in bribes. The BBC reports that Li also admitted to both accepting and offering bribes.

The court said the offences occurred while Li was an assistant coach at the Hebei China Fortune Club, which previously played in the Chinese Super League but was declared defunct last year. Li worked for the club from 2015 until 2021, when he quit as national coach.

Li would accept bribes to select certain players for the national team. He also helped certain clubs win competitions.

During his playing career, Li made 92 appearances for China and played at the 2002 World Cup. Li initially joined Everton on loan in 2002 before making the move permanent a year later. He made 40 appearances in total for Everton and also had a brief spell at Sheffield United before returning to China.

Norsk Tipping distributes millions to sports organisations

In more positive sports news, the Norwegian Gambling Authority has revealed that Norsk Tipping has distributed NOK930 million to sports organisations in the country.

Most of the funding is going to the Norwegian Sports Federation and the Olympic and Paralympic Committee (NIF). The total being distributed is NOK60 million more than last year.

The grant supports the NIF with its work on sports inclusion in Norway, including children and young people and people with disabilities.

In addition, NOK11 million is being allocated to Tverga, a resource centre for self-organised sports in Norway.

Veikkaus scores extension with Finnish Ice Hockey Association

Staying in the Nordics, Veikkaus has signed a long-term extension to its partnership with the Finnish Ice Hockey Association.

The new deal, confirmed by Veikkaus, will run through to 2030. Veikkaus has been working with the Association for a number of years across various activities and initiatives.

The multi-year partnership covers the Finnish men’s and women’s national teams, the under-20 national team and the Aurora League.

“At Veikkaus, we have a long-standing and successful cooperation with Finnish ice hockey,” said Reija Laaksonen, executive vice president for people, culture and communications at Veikkaus. “It’s very important to us that this long and successful journey continues for many years to come.”

The Pools confirms more senior appointments

In the UK, The Pools has continued its restructuring with a double senior appointment. Chris Williams is becoming head of product and Matt Knowles is taking on the role of head of CRM.

Williams joins with a decade of experience in the sports betting industry. He has previously worked for SIS Betting, Sky Betting & Gaming and LiveScore Group.

Knowles has spent time at BV Group, Betfair, Gamesys and, most recently, the Betway Group. In his previous role at Betway, Knowles led global projects aimed at optimising customer engagement and retention, loyalty and satisfaction.

In recent weeks, The Pools has also named Sharon Wright as marketing director and Phillip Donegan as chief technology officer.

Zeal celebrates 25 years

Finally this week, Zeal Network has been celebrating a major milestone, marking 25 years in business.

Founded in 1999 as Tipp24, the company was the first in German to offer online lottery sales. An IPO in 2005 saw the business rebrand as Zeal Network, while it grew further in 2019 when it acquired Lotto24.

Now headquartered in Hamburg, Zeal Network has over 1.3 million monthly users across its various brands.

“We are very proud of a quarter century of Zeal,” CEO Helmut Becker said. “What began 25 years ago as a two-man start-up in Hamburg has now developed into a group of companies with more than 250 employees.

“We are more successful than ever in our core business of lottery brokerage and are continuously expanding our market share and our business model.”

Bringing with her executive leadership experience, Howlett is perhaps best known for her role in Crown Melbourne’s remediation. She oversaw the programme that followed the Royal Commission inquiry into the venue.

Led by Ray Finkelstein, the inquiry made 33 recommendations to the government, which were then passed. This followed the report finding the operator unsuitable to hold a casino licence in the state of Victoria.

Prior to Crown, Howlett held senior roles within the Victoria Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission. She also worked at the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, Victoria’s Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants and the National Crime Authority.

Howlett to oversee Star Sydney remediation

Established in 2022, the NICC is the independent statutory regulator of NSW’s two casinos: Crown Sydney and The Star Sydney. Howlett joins the NICC at a time when the latter of these faces its own remediation programme.

Star was already facing remediation efforts from the first Bell inquiry in 2022 when Bell Two was launched in February. Bell Two saw the casino fined but retain it licence, contingent on the venue making changes.

“An exhaustive selection process was undertaken to fill the role,” NSW minister for gaming and racing David Harris said. “Howlett brings a wide range of skills and expertise to the NICC. She has highly relevant experience in independently overseeing Crown Melbourne’s remediation programme.

“She joins the NICC at a critical time with the regulator currently monitoring The Star casino’s ongoing remediation work following the Bell Two Inquiry.”

NICC chief commissioner Philip Crawford added: “Christine’s skills will be valuable to help the NICC expand its surveillance and data collection abilities to better monitor financial crime risks and compliance.

“Christine’s expertise in building internal capacity will assist the NICC to maintain effective regulatory supervision past the remediation and suitability phases and into longer-term sustainability.”

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has issued a six-month ban to Finn Harps FC player Ryan Rainey after he was found to have breached betting rules.

Breaches are connected to a number of League of Ireland and Men’s FAI Cup games that took place between 2021 and 2024. The FAI said Rainey also placed a “significant” number of bets on football worldwide in 2024.

After a disciplinary hearing, an Independent Disciplinary Committee ruled Rainey should face a ban. This has since been confirmed by the League of Ireland, in which his team, Finn Harps FC, plays.

Rainey, who previously played for English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, told the Irish Independent over the weekend that he is suffering with a gambling addiction.

ITIA sanctions tennis official for betting breach

In related news, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has suspended official Damjan Dejanovic for four years. The ITIA found him guilty of six breaches of its Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme (TACP).

Dejanovic, a national-level official from Bosnia and Herzegovina, admitted to wagering on professional tennis matches. However, he denied charges of manipulating scoring data and conspiring to commit corruption offences in relation to two matches he officiated.

Anti-corruption hearing officer Diana Tesic ruled he was liable for all six alleged breaches. These took place between 2022 and 2023.

Dejanovic, who has officiated at ITF $15K events, is now to be suspended until 7 January 2028. He has also been ordered to pay a fine of €5,000 (£4,140/$5,281).

Omnigame secures Danish B2B licence

Elsewhere, game studio and operator Omnigame has secured a B2B licence in Denmark. The new licence enables it to provide content in the country until 2029.

New legislation is set to come into force in January 2025, with suppliers required to gain new approval from regulator Spillemyndigheden. Omnigame is one of the first recipients of the new permits.

Omnigame powers the Pip.dk brand in Denmark exclusively with its own in-house developed games portfolio.

“Denmark is our home market, and we want to keep all opportunities open to maintain a dominant position on our home turf,” Omnigame co-CEO Peter Weinreich said. “The licence will help facilitate our continued growth in Denmark which is a crucial part of our future plans as we are gearing up for international expansion early next year.”

Aristocrat Interactive and IGT pen Kentucky Lottery deal

Meanwhile, in the US, Aristocrat Interactive has signed a five-year contract with IGT Global Solutions Corporation (IGT) to supply content to the Kentucky Lottery.

Under the new deal, Aristocrat Interactive will deliver a range of content from its NeoGames Studio. This will be carried out through an integration with IGT.

NeoGames Studio has been creating e-instant games for clients around the world for more than 20 years.

“This is a further illustration of our commitment to providing innovative, engaging games that meet the needs of lottery customers and to help the ilottery programmes meet their goals, generating revenues for good causes,” Aristocrat Interactive Ilottery managing director Chris Shaban said.

Yolo Entertainment confirms new senior appointments

And finally this week, Yolo Entertainment, the operator behind Bitcasino and Sportsbet.io, has announced four new senior appointments.

Sanda Vask becomes chief operating officer after almost six years with Yolo. She was most recently its head of legal.

Meanwhile, Anthony Cabrera is joining as the new director of Bitcasino, with Amy Howard to become director retention. Finally, Alexander McLoughlin, formerly of Bally’s Interactive and Gamesys, will take on the role of director of core markets.

“Together, they bring a wealth of experience, vision and leadership that will strengthen Yolo Entertainment as we focus on delivering year on year growth in 2025,” Yolo CEO Matthew D’Emanuele said.

Market overview

The igaming industry continues to experience a dynamic shift in its talent landscape as companies adapt to evolving market conditions, regulatory changes and emerging technologies. Across departments, from tech and data to marketing, compliance and customer service, key trends have emerged that underscore the challenges and opportunities in hiring and retaining talent. As companies navigate a more cautious economic environment, their approach to recruitment reflects the need for strategic planning, flexibility and a focus on specialist skills.

Cautious optimism and strategic hiring

After a period of consolidation and reflection, 2024 has seen renewed hiring activity in many areas. While companies remain prudent with budgets and are more deliberate in their hiring processes, there is a growing focus on securing mid to senior-level professionals who can drive growth and support new market expansions. This trend is evident across tech, data and product roles, where experienced candidates are essential for building new brands and integrating advanced technologies like crypto gaming.

The demand for talent has also highlighted a shift in compensation strategies. While overall salary growth has slowed compared to the rapid increases seen during the pandemic years, companies are willing to offer competitive salaries for candidates with in-demand skills, especially in senior positions. This is particularly true for tech, data and C-suite where flexibility around compensation is key to attracting top-tier talent. In contrast, some areas like finance and operations have seen a tightening of budgets, making it more difficult to attract the necessary skills without creative benefits packages.

The evolving role of flexibility

Workplace flexibility remains a central theme in the igaming sector’s talent strategy. Fully remote roles, particularly for tech and data positions, continue to attract high-quality candidates who see no reason to be on-site. However, there has been a shift towards hybrid work models, which are becoming standard for many departments.

Employers recognise the benefits of in-person collaboration but must balance this with the strong preference among candidates for flexible work arrangements. Those who insist on full-time office attendance often struggle to attract the best talent, especially in areas where remote work has become the norm.

Regional talent pools and emerging markets

The global nature of the igaming industry means that companies always need talent with local knowledge and skills. There is a steady demand for professionals with native language skills, particularly for customer service roles where Dutch, Finnish and Swedish speakers are highly sought after. And as new brands launch in new markets, such as Brazil, igaming companies need to hire country managers with local expertise. Meanwhile, demand for qualified legal, compliance and finance professionals in key jurisdictions has grown in response to regulatory updates, although the overall volume of hires hasn’t increased significantly.

In summary, consolidation and budget constraints have limited salary increases, impacting the ability to attract top talent and affecting overall hiring quality. For many companies, this has led to additional challenges in performance, retention and succession planning. To overcome these issues, a focus on long-term human capital strategies is essential, including targeted hiring, robust leadership development and innovative compensation models that align with both market conditions and employee expectations.

Darren Kirby

Jump to: Salaries by function and role

Managing directors and C-suite

Analytics and senior developers

Legal and compliance

Customer services

Product and project

Marketing

Finance and operations

Sales and account management

Technology

Managing directors and C-suite

Across the igaming industry, the most wage inflation has been seen at the C-suite level, with salaries rising by double figures. This increase reflects the strong demand for seasoned leaders with a proven ability in shifting market conditions.

Companies are willing to invest in executives who can not only guide them through uncertainty but also unlock new opportunities for market expansion and drive value realisation in emerging and established markets alike. Regulatory change has also been a catalyst for geographical expansion, with LatAm, MENA and Canada seeing significant movement.

However, as highlighted by my colleagues elsewhere in this report, succession planning is often overlooked and is often cheaper than hiring. Many companies could be doing more to support their future leaders and ensure a pipeline of talent ready to step into key roles, safeguarding continuity and long-term stability. 

Andrew Cook

Analytics and senior developers

Demand for data analytics roles, particularly for mid-senior professionals like BI developers and quant analysts, has increased in the second half of 2024. These roles require expertise in algorithmic work and data application, beyond basic analysis.

With a growing pool of candidates with igaming experience, salaries have risen by 4.32%, to reflect their value. Remote work remains a key draw for candidates, making fully remote roles essential for attracting top talent, while employers insisting on in-office struggle to compete. 

Chris Gyere

Legal and compliance

The compliance and legal talent market remains cautious, with no significant increase in hiring and below average salary increases at 1.50%. However, demand has grown for professionals with specific experience such as in more exotic licences, particularly within privately-owned companies.

In Europe, regulatory clarity has led Tier-1 and mature SMEs to split legal and compliance functions, adopting a more robust ‘three lines of defence’ model approach.

Overall, companies are focusing on working smarter rather than adding headcount, but demand remains steady for expertise across multiple jurisdictions as they launch in new markets. Succession planning and retention are key challenges, as limited pay rises and a push for full-time, office-based work have led to increased attrition and difficulties in building the niche skillsets the industry requires. 

Kerry Gillitt

Customer services

Demand for customer services roles remains steady, with a particular need for native language speakers. In Malta, Dutch, Finnish and Swedish speakers are highly sought after, while German is also in demand but less niche.

For game presentation roles, Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian speakers are increasingly needed. Employers are open to hiring candidates from outside the industry for junior roles, especially in new markets like Brazil. However, screening challenges and dissatisfaction with salaries, which are down 0.26% globally, persist.

Lucky Shankar

Product and project

Demand for product and project professionals is steadily increasing, particularly for senior managers and product leaders who can lead the development of new products emerging in the space. Flexible working arrangements remain a key factor, with companies recognising their importance in attracting the specialised skills they need.

This has given candidates greater accessibility to opportunities, intensifying competition among businesses to secure top talent. In response, companies are enhancing their compensation packages and speeding up recruitment processes. 

Olly Dendy

Marketing

Demand for marketing roles remains steady, particularly for mid-senior professionals, with a consistent number of candidates open to new opportunities. This year, we’ve seen increased interest in web3, crypto and AI editing roles, alongside specialists in Telegram for crypto casinos.

Content roles, including video, writing and streaming, are more varied. Country manager roles have also grown as operators launch new brands in new markets. Salaries are relatively stable but vary based on factors like remote or hybrid setups, B2B contracts versus PAYE and local market conditions.

Candidates increasingly consider brand reputation when negotiating, forcing some companies to offer more competitive compensation. Employers seeking candidates within tight salary bands sometimes struggle to find the right expertise.

While senior roles may welcome talent from outside igaming for fresh insights, mid-level hires often require industry-specific experience, especially around regulatory knowledge, such as new UKGC advertising rules.

Gareth Mulley

Finance and operations

Mid-level finance and operations roles are highest in demand, but tighter budgets have led to a 10%-15% drop in offered salaries, making it challenging for companies to attract the talent they need.

Salary ceilings for roles up to senior associate level are impacting hiring quality. Overall salaries have only risen by 1.25% since last year. In Europe, updated AML requirements mean candidates must hold ACCA qualifications, with Malta currently experiencing significant demand for fully qualified talent.

Amid budget constraints, employers may need to reconsider the push towards fully in-office and entice qualified professionals with hybrid and flexible working. 

Kerry Gillitt

Sales and account management

Business development managers remain in high demand, especially mid-level roles with salaries around £60K-£80K, where deep product knowledge and strong networks are crucial for new market entry.

Demand has surged in Europe for candidates experienced in crash games. While salaries have seen modest increases, typically £5K-£10K for those changing roles, fewer senior positions are available as companies manage tighter budgets. Flexibility remains key, with many roles involving extensive travel. Hybrid or remote options continue to give employees a competitive advantage. 

Karl Harenburg

Technology

Since July, demand for senior tech roles has increased, reversing a quieter period over the past 12 months. While junior-level hiring remains limited, many companies are open to mid-level hires, investing in training to develop their skills. This renewed confidence follows a period of consolidation, where companies reassessed their plans. Now, market expansion is back on the agenda, with new entrants, particularly sweepstakes and crypto casinos, building out their tech teams. 

Specialist skills are in high demand, especially those with expertise in crypto gaming, particularly CTOs and lead frontend developers. As competition for senior tech talent intensifies, salaries are rising incrementally, reflecting the need to attract top-tier candidates. While lower-end salaries have dipped slightly, compensation for senior roles has increased in line with the demand for specialist knowledge and igaming experience.

Remote work remains a strong preference, particularly for B2B tech roles, but there is a gradual shift towards hybrid models. Many employers recognise the value of flexibility, balancing remote options with the benefits of on-site collaboration. Market expansion into new regions has also prompted companies to consider talent from adjacent industries, bringing in lead developers who can adapt quickly to the unique challenges of igaming. This strategic approach to hiring is helping companies secure the expertise needed to support their growth ambitions.

Chris Gyere  

salary survey 2024

Europe

North America

Latin America

Rest of World

Jump to: Salary Survey country snapshots

Brazil

Curaçao

Cyprus

Estonia

France

Gibraltar

Malta

UAE

UK

USA

Salary Survey regional snapshots

Europe

The ACCA qualification has become essential across Europe due to updated AML requirements – without it, job prospects are limited. Romania benefits from stable hiring driven by Bucharest’s thriving tech hub. The UK Gambling Act review remains in limbo, with key regulations still pending. Meanwhile, France has seen a regulatory overhaul, transforming a previously limited market into a more structured environment.

North America

Some US states have seen major operators exit, allowing larger competitors to seize market share, yet optimism and growth persist. In Canada, Ontario’s newly regulated market has exceeded growth expectations, showcasing strong potential. Alberta’s market, although planned for regulation, faces delays. Despite these hurdles, the region remains dynamic, with new opportunities on the horizon.

Latin America

As one of the fastest-growing markets, Brazil’s job market is flooded with applicants, creating a large talent pool. However, this has created challenges in identifying top talent; local agency screening processes need refinement as applications remain high. With little local igaming talent, companies are open to hiring from outside the industry. Colombia, the first regulated market in the region, generated £1.9 billion in Q2, contributing to a 2.1% GDP growth. Elsewhere, Peru has recently opened its regulated market and is seeing a surge in licence applications.

Rest of the World

Despite being a global gaming powerhouse, Asian igaming remains largely untapped due to restrictive regulations. India continues to be one of the fastest growing igaming markets in the region and is expected to rise further. South Africa aims to legalise all forms of online gambling with a new remote gambling bill, potentially expanding beyond sports betting and opening new avenues for growth.

Salary Survey country snapshots

Brazil

With 182 betting licence applications already confirmed, the industry eagerly awaits developments in this promising market.

Curaçao

A surge in online gambling applications suggests this Caribbean island may become a major player in the sector.

Cyprus 

Igaming companies continue to establish operational hubs here, attracted by lower costs and the ease of finding igaming talent.

Estonia

With significant revenue growth and favourable tax rates, this Baltic state is becoming a market to watch.

France

A long-awaited online casino amendment has been put forward by the French government sparking a regulatory shift in this significant market.

Gibraltar

High property demand and limited talent supply makes hiring junior positions in this territory a challenge.

Malta

Relocation to this Mediterranean igaming hub thrives, yet candidates are cautious, expecting competitive salaries before making the move.

UAE

A popular base for Middle Eastern operations, the awarding of the first casino licence could pave the way for further opportunities.

UK

Progress on the UKGC white paper remains slow, but the financial risk assessment pilot has accelerated the need for broader implementation.

USA

Despite early optimism, no new states legalised online gambling this year, with major operators fiercely competing in established markets.

salary survey 2024

While there has been a growing focus on improving representation, particularly around race and gender, true DEI extends far beyond simply diversifying demographics. It’s about cultivating an inclusive culture where everyone, regardless of their background, can thrive.

Embracing belonging

Representation is an essential first step – ensuring that employees of all races, genders, sexualities and abilities are seen and heard within the industry. However, a diverse workforce means little without a workplace environment that promotes belonging.

Inclusive practices must accommodate physical disabilities, neurodiversity and the unique challenges of individuals with varying needs, such as health, life stages and belonging to underrepresented communities, including LGBTQ+ employees.

To truly make progress, igaming companies must shift their focus from short-term initiatives and token efforts to embedding DEI into the very fabric of their organisational culture and employer branding. This requires long-term commitment, where inclusive leadership, equitable opportunities for career advancement and encouraging open dialogue are everyday priorities.

DEI in gaming is more than just numbers

Genuine inclusion cannot be achieved with one-off programmes; it requires systemic change and industry-wide acceptance of DEI as an ongoing journey.

Building a culture of inclusivity means creating spaces where employees feel valued for their unique perspectives and are empowered to contribute fully. By prioritising this holistic approach to DEI, the igaming industry can not only attract and retain diverse talent but also inspire innovation and drive long-term success in a competitive market.

In short, DEI in igaming is about more than just numbers – it’s about creating environments where all employees can reach their full potential.

salary survey 2024

Dunshea currently serves as chief regulatory officer at the BHA, a role he has held since April 2018. He joined the Authority in 2015 as head of raceday operations and was also director of integrity and regulatory operations.

Prior to his time with the BHA, Dunshea spent over seven and a half years at the authority for Harness Racing Victoria in Australia. Here, he was general manager for its integrity services and later its chief operating officer.

Confirmed yesterday (3 December), Dunshea will assume temporary charge of the BHA from January, with Harrington’s term to end on 31 December. The Authority said it is hoping to appoint a full-time replacement in the New Year.

Acting CEO appointment support new BHA chair

This, the organisation added, will allow new BHA chair Lord Allen of Kensington to assist with CEO recruitment.

News of Harrington’s departure in June was accompanied by the announcement that Joe Saumarez Smith would also exit as chair. Last month, the BHA appointed Lord Allen as his replacement, with effect from 1 June 2025. Smith will remain in the role until the end of next May.

Lord Allen has worked across the financial and commercial sectors, as well as government, broadcast, international companies and sports. He is currently chairman and trustee of the Invictus Games Foundation.

Other sporting roles include leading London’s bid for the 2012 Olympics and serving as board director on the organising committee. He was also chairman of the Manchester Commonwealth Games between 2000 and 2003, for which he was awarded a CBE.

Outside of sports, Lord Allen was a chief adviser to the home office from 2006 to 2008.

Gambling Commission also reveals leadership changes

The BHA is not the only betting-related regulator in Britain to announce changes to its leadership. Last week, it was revealed that Marcus Boyle will depart as chairman of the Gambling Commission after more than three years in the role.

Demand for senior and mid-level talent

Senior and mid-level roles remain in high demand, especially for product managers, developers and data analysts. Companies prioritise expertise that drives product development and innovation.

Business development managers (BDMs) and director-level positions are also sought after. These positions emphasise niche experience and strategic leadership, crucial for navigating market dynamics and growth.

Salary growth slows

While overall salary growth has slowed, companies still offer higher compensation for mid- to senior-level roles, reflecting the value of experience. However, there is less flexibility for junior roles, the iGB-Pentasia Salary Survey found. This trend suggests a market that rewards expertise but is cautious about overall cost increases, ensuring sustainable operations while still attracting skilled talent.

Remote fizzling out

Hybrid work is now the norm, with fully remote roles less common outside of tech and data positions. While tech candidates prefer fully remote options, other departments are moving to hybrid models, requiring proximity to an office. However, companies insisting on full-time office work face challenges in attracting talent, highlighting a preference for flexibility.

Caution in hiring and longer processes

Businesses are adopting a more cautious approach to hiring, leading to longer recruitment processes. Tighter budgets and conservative post-pandemic strategies are driving this trend, potentially impacting talent acquisition as companies take time to align with long-term goals and manage the challenges of succession planning.

Demand for data and tech talent

Demand for these roles remains strong, especially for frontend developers, BI developers and data scientists. Skills in web3, crypto and data algorithms are particularly sought after. As the integration of crypto with gaming gains importance, companies are seeking talent that can bridge the gap between technology and emerging market trends, driving innovation and competitive advantage.

Retention and succession struggles

Succession planning and retention are critical challenges for igaming companies, as they struggle to maintain leadership continuity and keep top talent engaged. Effective strategic human capital management is essential to navigate these complexities, ensuring that businesses can adapt and grow with stability. 

Many companies are addressing these challenges by partnering with human capital experts, such as Conexus Human Capital, which provide specialist services like talent strategy consulting, organisational design and executive coaching. These services help organisations create a clear path for leadership development and build a work environment that attracts, develops and retains high-calibre talent, positioning them for long-term success.

Read Alastair Cleland’s introduction to the iGB-Pentasia Salary Survey 2024

Check back tomorrow, when we dig into DEI and showcase the hottest hiring markets globally.

salary survey 2024

Our survey provides valuable insights into trends shaping today’s market, from salary levels to the key drivers influencing talent demand. This report not only tracks changes but also highlights strategies and opportunities that will guide igaming companies toward sustainable growth in the years to come.

As the front cover headline reveals, salaries have stabilised for the past two years, aligning more closely with inflation. Last year’s increase of 3.98% and 2024’s 3.33% mark a departure from the significant salary growth witnessed between 2020 and 2022, a period defined by the pandemic’s impact.

As anticipated in last year’s report, this stabilisation has created a more sustainable environment, allowing igaming companies to implement their strategic objectives – such as market expansion – within a framework of more predictable costs.

Opportunities in LatAm

However, while stability characterises the broader market, certain regions and sectors remain highly competitive. For instance, the race to establish a foothold in South America continues to drive fierce competition.

Brazil, with numerous applicants for its new licence, is aggressively shutting down black market operators. Its regulatory landscape mandates specific roles, guaranteeing growth and employment in the region. As a result, experienced candidates for in-demand positions can expect to be well compensated.

Colombia, the first country in the region to regulate igaming, reported £1.9 billion in revenue in Q2, alongside 2.1% GDP growth. These trends signal sustained opportunities in LatAm.

Meanwhile, some major operators have faced challenges in the United States, where strategic alignment with the right markets has become essential for success, underscoring the need for a well-considered approach to market expansion.

iGB-Pentasia Salary Survey: Growing focus on DEI

Globally, demand for top talent remains strong, the salary survey shows. Today’s igaming companies require creative, innovative professionals who bring diverse perspectives. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) has become crucial, as companies recognise that a successful human capital strategy must embrace different voices and experiences.

We have taken the opportunity in this report to highlight the role of DEI in driving successful outcomes, reinforcing its importance as a cornerstone of strategic talent management.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this year’s survey, including those who took the time to share their experiences and our industry experts who have analysed the data and offered their perspectives. Your insights make this report possible and we hope it serves as a valuable resource for navigating the future of the igaming industry.

salary survey 2024

Up first, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has warned consumers about two websites claiming to hold licences in the country.

Vavadapsv.com and Vulkanind.site both carry text saying they are licensed by the MGA. However, the regulator said in a statement that it has no connection with either website.

The MGA said that any reference to the regulator or apparent gaming licence is “false and misleading”.

“The MGA would like to remind consumers not to utilise services provided by an entity unless they have ascertained that the entity in question is authorised to provide such services by the MGA,” the regulator said.

“The gaming regulatory framework obliges authorised persons to comply with strict legal requirements in the interest of consumers. The activities of unlicensed entities are unregulated and do not provide the necessary safeguards delineated by virtue of the framework, making transactions with such entities risky for consumers.”

Merkur reveals new-look management board

Elsewhere, Gauselmann Group-owned Merkur Group has announced several changes to its management board, with effect from 1 January.

Dominik Raasch, head of sales and management spokesman, will join the board, along with chief financial officer Meik Sellenriek. David Schnabel, managing director of Merkur Casinos in Germany, is also being added to the board.

Raasch will now take responsibility for Merkur Sales, with Sellenriek overseeing the group’s national and international arcade business. Schnabel will lead the newly created ‘Casinos Management Board’ division.

 “I am delighted that Dominik, Meik and David will bear greater responsibility in the future,” Merkur supervisory board chairman Michael Gauselmann said. “They all have the Merkur gene. They have proven in the past that they are ready to take the lead in driving forward the strategic development in their respective divisions.”

FanDuel partners with Professional Women’s Hockey League

Meanwhile, over in North America, Flutter Entertainment-owned FanDuel has entered into a partnership with the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).

Under the new deal, FanDuel will become an official sportsbook partner and exclusive in-app streaming partner in the US. This will allow fans to access live streaming of up to 90 regular season games and playoff games each campaign.

Fans can watch and bet on games, with offerings including player prop bets, novelty markets and same game parlays.

“FanDuel is proud to partner with the PWHL and support athletes,” said Dale Hooper, general manager of FanDuel Canada. “This partnership is about creating a new era of fan engagement, one that brings hockey closer to fans while helping grow the visibility of women’s professional sports.”

Flutter donates over £350,000 to cancer charity

Other news out of Flutter is that the group is donating over £350,000 (€423,051/$444,787) to blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia.

The annual Flutter Charity Ball raised more than £282,000 to help fund clinical trials. On top of this, across its UK brands – Sky Betting & Gaming, Betfair, Paddy Power and Tombola – Flutter generated £75,000.

This took the overall donation to £357,000, with funds going to the new ATICUS network. Running at a cost of £1 million per year, this initiative supports 15 centres and hospitals across the UK.

“We are truly grateful for the generosity of attendees who collectively helped us to raise a great amount for Cure Leukaemia so they can continue their work to find a cure for blood cancer,” Sky Betting & Gaming and Tombola chief commercial officer Steve Birch said.

Virgin Bet backs campaign for lower season ticket prices

Finally this week, Virgin Bet, part of the LiveScore Group, is supporting a campaign for lower season ticket prices for football in the UK.

Running in partnership with the Sport Social Podcast Network, ‘A Grand Isn’t Grand’ aims to award cash prizes towards eight Premier League season ticket holders to help pay for their tickets.

This comes in response to several Premier League clubs raising season ticket prices to over £1,000 for the 2024-25 season. Submissions to win £1,000 in cash for season tickets for the next Premier League campaign are open until 22 December.

“At Virgin Bet, we believe that ‘A Grand Isn’t Grand’ when it comes to the cost of being a football fan,” Virgin Bet marketing director Dominic Vye said. “We are committed to making sport accessible for all, and with rising season ticket prices, this campaign is our way of supporting fans who help make the sport so special.”