Michigan Gaming Control Board

Henry Williams has become executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board following a 34-1 roll call confirmation vote in the Michigan Senate.

Williams, who has 20 years of experience working at the MGCB and most recently was deputy director for the agency’s casino operations division, was confirmed to a to a six year term, which began on Monday 17 May, by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

“I am honoured to begin my appointment as executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board,” said Williams. “I look forward to leading the agency’s continuing success and thank outgoing executive director Richard Kalm for his leadership and the opportunities he provided that paved the way for my appointment.”

Esports Technologies

Esports Technologies, a global provider of advanced electronic sports wagering products and technology, has announced a new marketing partnership with NBA star Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz.

As a brand ambassador, Clarkson will partner with the firm on marketing campaigns to raise awareness of the brand across digital and social platforms through creative content, various guest appearances and streaming events.

Aaron Speach, CEO of Esports Technologies, noted: “We’re honoured to team up with one of the NBA’s biggest stars as he is enjoying his finest season in the league. Jordan Clarkson’s background, talents and dynamic personality make him an ideal brand ambassador for us. He embodies everything we stand for.

“I’m confident this partnership will likely help us catapult our brand globally, and I can’t thank our strategic advisor Jack McClinton enough for the opportunity to work with Jordan. Together we are building a great team.”

PointsBet

PointsBet has announced that Kosha Gada, a seasoned executive with expertise across media, technology, and digital business, has been appointed by the group’s board as an independent non-executive director,

Gada, the CEO and managing director of Recastled, is a regular contributor on various business and news networks, including Sky News, CNBC, and BNN Bloomberg, as well as publications including Forbes and TechCrunch.

Brett Paton, PointsBet chairman, stated: “I am delighted to welcome Kosha to the Board. Her expertise and strong knowledge of the US media and technology landscape will provide great benefit to PointsBet.

“As we continue to expand into new US jurisdictions, I could not think of a better set of skills to assist the Board as we execute on our strategy. I congratulate Kosha on her appointment and look forward to her contribution.”

DraftKings

DraftKings has announced the appointment of Roy Pollitt as its new Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. He joins the firm from Exiger where he was managing director, head of investigations for the global regulatory and financial crime, risk and compliance company.

Pollitt comes with deep experience of regulation, compliance and security, having also served as a special agent for the FBI for 17 years.

Paul Liberman, DraftKings’ co-founder and president of global product and technology, welcomed the new addition, commented: “I am pleased to welcome Roy Pollitt to the DraftKings team, where he’ll play a critical role leading our US and international regulatory function.

“Roy brings unparalleled experience and a unique perspective to the position, having served both as an expert regulatory consultant to high profile public companies and FBI special agent investigating complex frauds within diverse industries, including banking, gaming, payment processing, and securities.”

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Bragg Gaming Group

Holly Gagnon and Alex Spiro have been appointed to the Bragg Gaming Group board of directors, with the group lauding the addition of ‘specialist expertise’.

Gagnon is an experienced gaming industry CEO with over 29 years’ in the industry, and has held senior positions at the likes of Seneca Gaming Corporation, Caesars Entertainment Corporation, MGM Resorts International, and Harrah’s Entertainment.

Spiro, a former prosecutor and the former coordinator of a program for children with autism at McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School’s psychiatric facility, is a litigator and investor and serves as chair of Glassbridge Enterprises.

“We’re extremely pleased that Holly and Alex have agreed to contribute their expertise to the Bragg board,” said Paul Godfrey, chair of the board at Bragg Gaming Group.

“Holly’s extensive experience in the North American gaming sector will be invaluable as we expand our footprint in the US, and Alex brings exceptional analytical and business leadership skills to the team. Their areas of expertise are strong complements to our current board.”

Full House Resorts

A series of management promotions have been outlined by Full House Resorts, with Angelika Truebner-Webb, the current executive director of finance of administration at Indiana’s Rising Star Casino Resort, to be elevated to the role of general manager, pending customary gaming approvals.

Furthermore, the same property is to also see James McCracken promoted to assistant general manager, as well as Ashlee Wilkerson to director of human resources.

Elsewhere, in the group’s Nevada segment, which consists of Grand Lodge Casino in Incline Village and Stockman’s Casino in Fallon, Cyndy Carter formerly director of finance, is to become assistant general manager.

“I am pleased to announce these recent promotions from within our internal ranks,” stated Daniel Lee, president and CEO of Full House Resorts. “Angi, Cyndy, Jim, and Ashlee have done great jobs in helping our company grow to new heights. We look forward to their continued contributions in their new leadership roles.”

Crown Resorts

Steve McCann is to become chief executive officer and managing director of Crown Resorts, subject to the receipt of probity and regulatory approvals.

McCann, currently CEO of real estate and investment group Lendlease Corporation, a role he has held for more than a decade, last year delayed his planned retirement to lead the group’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will retire from the board on May 31 2021.

He will join from June 1, 2021, with Helen Coonan to continue to perform her executive responsibilities as interim executive chairman until approvals have been received, in order to ensure a smooth transition.

Coonan said: “Steve is a first-class appointment for Crown and the right person to embed the ongoing reforms necessary to restore regulatory and public confidence in our operations.

“Recognised as one of Australia’s most respected business leaders, Steve has a unique blend of strategic, financial and corporate governance expertise and a track record of building strong employee engagement and driving cultural change.

“During a comprehensive recruitment process, Steve was the clear choice from a quality
field of prospective candidates. The board was looking for a CEO firmly committed to building on the momentum for change within our business and Steve is ideally placed to hit the ground running as our sweeping reform program takes hold.”

Alliance for Gambling Reform

The board of the Alliance for Gambling Reform has announced the appointment of Gordon Ramsay as the organisation’s new CEO.

Gordon brings a wealth of experience to the role, most recently as the ACT attorney-general from 2016-2020. While in government, Ramsay is lauded as championing a gambling reform agenda in the ACT, resulting in a more than 20 per cent reduction in poker machines, and substantial regulatory improvements that have laid the pathway for ongoing reform.

Sharon Dickson, board chair, explained: “Gordon brings a wealth of experience that will further the Alliance’s work with our partners and community to reduce gambling harm, which is one of the most pressing public health issues we face as Australians.

“Gordon has a unique combination of experience in social justice and advocacy, as CEO in a services-based organisation, working with people with lived experience, and in gambling reform in the political arena. I’m excited about the change we will achieve with Gordon leading the organisation.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Tony Mohr for his contributions as the inaugural leader of the Alliance. His work and that of the Alliance’s staff has created a solid foundation for Gordon to build on. It’s exciting times ahead.”

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Bragg Gaming Group

Richard Carter has formally taken up occupation of the role of CEO of Bragg Gaming Group, a position it was confirmed that the former CEO of SBTech was to step into in March.

The company says that the move is made at “a key point” in its growth and evolution, with an aggressive global growth strategy underway, including expansion into the burgeoning North American igaming market and an anticipated launch on the Nasdaq exchange.

I’m excited to be leading Bragg in its next phase of growth and helping to shape the future of the company, as we continue to provide next generation premium content and tools to our B2B partners,” said Carter.

“Bragg has the cutting-edge technology, the data driven insights, the player engagement tools and the premium content that ideally positions the company to capture an increasing proportion of global igaming market.

“I’m eager to leverage these strengths to expand Bragg in both our core European markets and in the rapidly growing North American igaming market.”

Gaming1

Gaming and sports betting operator Gaming1 has appointed Ricardo Viana to its newly created role of chief creative officer, where he will build upon 25 years of industry experience.

Viana will take charge of the design, distribution and marketing of the group’s game collection, streamlining the development process for its more than 120 slots, dice and table games.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ricardo on board, and have every confidence that his appointment will prove pivotal to the continued popularity generated by our ever-growing games offering,” commented Sylvain Boniver, COO and co-founder at Gaming1.

“Our in-house portfolio of premium casino titles has gone from strength to strength in recent months, and Ricardo will undoubtedly play a key role in helping it to expand and improve even further.”

International Game Technology

Walter Bugno has resigned his position as executive vice president of new business and strategic initiatives of International Gaming Technology.

Following the departure, IGT new business responsibilities will be divided among the global lottery and global gaming business units. Responsibilities for strategic initiatives will be assumed by the IGT strategy and corporate development support function.

The group says that the decision has been made in order to “pursue a new professional opportunity,” with Bugno to continue in his current position until May 14, 2021.

“I would like to thank Walter for his accomplishments over the course of more than 10 years of senior leadership at IGT. His efforts have made meaningful contributions to the strength of our global leadership,” noted IGT CEO Marco Sala.

“At every stage of his time with IGT, Walter successfully engaged teams across multiple regions, built significant customer relationships, fostered continued talent development and championed innovation throughout his organisation. On behalf of everyone at IGT, I wish Walter well in his future endeavours.”

Avala Casino

Lauded as ‘Montenegro’s largest casino,” Avala Casino has announced the appointment of Neil Gallacher as CEO as part of the acquisition by Global Gaming Holdings.

Gallacher, an experienced international gaming executive having managed casinos in Europe, Africa and Asia, is also the former vice president of Jeju Shinwa World and joins the Avala Casino team from Les Ambassadeurs, London.

“I look forward to this new role and driving tourism to both Avala Casino and Montenegro as a whole, I am excited to expand our entertainment offerings – launching our new sports bar and high roller poker tournaments alongside avala.bet – our new online sportsbook and casino,” Gallacher stated.

PointsBet

PointsBet has appointed veteran communications and public affairs executive Patrick Sandusky as senior vice president of communications.

In the newly created role, he will lead all external communications and media relations for PointsBet and report to PointsBet USA CEO Johnny Aitken, while being based in the firm’s East Coast offices.

On his appointment, Sandusky said: “I am excited to join a growing company that is not only an industry leader in the sports betting space, but also at the forefront of sports and technology.

“The future of fan engagement will be built around sports wagering, and PointsBet – along with leading partners like NBC Sports – will change the dynamic on how sports fans interact with their favourite teams and leagues.

“I look forward to utilising the strong foundation in place and helping shape strategy and vision to find success in the burgeoning, competitive space that is US sports betting.”

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EveryMatrix

Staffan Cnattingius has been appointed by EveryMatrix as director of business development for Latin America markets, where he will oversee the company’s expansion in the region, and manage commercial efforts as a part of the global sales team.

Having spent over two decades in the gambling industry serving in managerial roles in both online and land-based casino operations, he joins EveryMatrix after successful tenures at Play’n GO, Copacabana Gaming, and QTech, among others.

Erik Nyman, president of the Americas at EveryMatrix, commented: “I am excited to have Staffan joining our Americas team. He comes with unique experience, in-depth product knowledge, relationships and not least an impressive track record of success in Latin America.

“His professional experience will enable EveryMatrix’s goal of becoming the leading turnkey provider in the region. Staffan is the right man for the job, and I wish him welcome aboard.”

Rivers Casino Philadelphia

Rush Street Gaming announced today that Justin Moore, former general manager of Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady, has been named general manager of Rivers Casino Philadelphia, pending approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Moore joined Rivers in Schenectady soon after the property opened in 2017, and is lauded as helping to establish the brand in a new and competitive market, operating The Landing Hotel, and debuting New York’s first sportsbook.

“Rush Street’s accelerated growth in destination and online gaming has created more opportunities for career development inside the company,” stated Greg Carlin, CEO of Rush Street Gaming and Rivers Casino. “After a successful four-year term in upstate New York, we’re very pleased to welcome Justin to Philly.”

Sightline Payments

Sightline Payments, the financial technology supplier to the sports betting, lottery and gaming sectors, has appointed five new executives to its senior leadership team.

John Gronen joins as chief financial officer, while Jennifer Carleton will serve as the  company’s chief legal officer. Through its recent $100m funding round, the firm has also appointed Muriel Lotto as chief marketing officer, while Katrina Sevier will serve as its chief people officer and Felicia Gassen will be chief of staff.

The executive appointments, said Sightline, strengthen its leadership as the company scales to support rapid growth and customer demand.

Joe Pappano, CEO of Sightline, explained: “We are pleased to welcome John, Jennifer, Muriel, Felicia and Katrina to Sightline Payments. The collective expertise and proven track record that they bring from working with some of the world’s most recognized companies will play an instrumental role in managing the company’s hyper-growth and expansion.

“In the near and long-term, we plan to invest significant capital in recruiting diverse and expert talent to drive key Sightline priorities around market growth and innovation. Our goal is to have the most talented and diverse team in the gaming and payments industries.”

Rush Street Interactive

Rush Street Interactive has announced the appointment of Lauren Seiler as associate vice president of investor relations and development. Seiler brings to RSI over 17 years of diversified Wall Street experience, with 12 of those years being gaming-centric.

In the newly created role, she will lead RSI’s investor relations efforts, while also working with the team to drive the company’s growth, development and M&A initiatives.

“Lauren brings a strong network of relationships and experience with both the sell-side and buy-side communities and a deep knowledge of the capital markets,” Kyle Sauers, CFO of RSI, said. “Her financial and strategic skills will be a great asset as we continue to grow RSI as a leader in online gaming.”

Sportradar

Sports betting and entertainment firm Sportradar has appointed Deirdre M Bigley to the Sportradar Holding AG board of directors, with immediate effect.

Having held the post of chief marketing officer of Bloomberg since 2014, Bigley has been responsible for designing and launching the firm’s first global marketing department and building marketing strategies for all business units across the company.

Carsten Koerl, Sportradar Group CEO, added: “We’re thrilled that Deirdre is joining our Global board of directors as we draw upon her vast experience leading marketing strategies for some of the world’s most well-known technology companies. We are pleased to leverage Deirdre’s data and analytics insights as Sportradar drives innovative solutions that support the success of our customers.”

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DraftKings 

DraftKings has expanded its executive team with the appointment of Brian Angiolet in the newly created position of chief media officer, a role that will see him direct and optimise content creation and media strategy, effective April 26.

Most recently, Angiolet served as SVP and chief business officer at Verizon Communications, where he spearheaded a number of high-profile, multi-billion-dollar content and advertising initiatives.

Jason Robins, DraftKings’ co-founder, CEO and chairman of the board, said: “Brian brings invaluable experience to this new chief media officer position and deeply understands how the virtuous circle among sports, gaming, and content has the potential to boost engagement.

“As our media presence grows with the acquisition of VSiN, among other strategic moves, Brian’s creative ideas and insightful perspectives will further propel the possibilities of DraftKings content. Our warmest welcome to Brian, and we’re thrilled to have him aboard.”

Crown Resorts

Bruce Carter, the former deputy chair of SkyCity Entertainment Group, has been appointed as a non-executive director of Crown Resorts, subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals.

In his former SkyCity role, Carter, who is currently chair of the Australian Submarine Corporation and Aventus Capital, oversaw the expansion development at SkyCity Adelaide.

Carter says that his is “excited” to be joining the company during its current transformative period, as well as hoping to drive “important changes” amid an “ambitious timetable to complete tough and wide-ranging reforms”.

“Bruce brings to the Crown board the ideal blend of commercial, governance and gaming sector expertise and is respected across Australia for his contribution to corporate and government roles,” noted Helen Coonan, Crown’s executive chairman.

“Attracting someone of Bruce’s calibre to the board is an endorsement of our strategy, ambition and commitment to reform. With a track record of building stronger businesses and extensive experience in advisory and board roles, Bruce’s appointment will enhance our governance as we work to implement our ambitious reform program.

“I am determined to maintain the pace of change right across the business and remain committed to further board renewal.”

Greenwood Racing

Greenwood Racing, the owner and operator of Parx Casino in Pennsylvania, has announced the appointment of David Grissen to its board of directors.

Grissen joined Marriott International in 1986, and most recently served as group president until his retirement in April 2021. For the past 11 years, he led the company’s Americas business, overseeing all of the territory’s lodging business, comprising more than 5,500 properties and a vast workforce of 160,000 people.

We are pleased to welcome David to our Greenwood Racing board of directors,” said Eric Hausler, CEO of Greenwood Racing. “David’s impressive 36 year career with Marriott and his wealth of knowledge about all aspects of the hospitality industry and guest service will be invaluable as our company continues to evolve and grow.”

Casino Association of New Jersey

The Casino Association of New Jersey has named its first female president, with Terry Glebocki to be succeed Steve Callender who retired in March.

Glebocki has served as CEO of Ocean Casino Resort since 2019. She has three decades of financial management experience, including serving as chief financial officer of Ocean Casino Resort and Tropicana Entertainment.

“I am privileged and honoured to succeed Steve Callender as the next president of the Casino Association of New Jersey. Steve successfully led our organisation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are grateful for the strength and leadership he has shown in these unprecedented times,” said Glebocki.

“I am thrilled to lead the CANJ forward as we work to help Atlantic City and the region recover from this devastating pandemic and continue the ongoing revitalization of this world-class destination resort.”

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GAN

Robert Shore has been appointed as vice president of investor relations and capital markets at GAN, where he will bring more than 15 years of experience in corporate finance, investor relations, and Wall Street research.

In the newly created role, Shore will lead the group’s investor relations and capital markets efforts, including strategic engagement with the investor community and analysts around the company’s positioning in the digital gaming space.

Dermot Smurfit, chief executive officer of GAN, commented: “Bobby is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in corporate finance and investor relations, along with a proven track record on Wall Street.

“We believe his strong gaming experience and deep-rooted relationships within the industry will be extremely valuable as we continue to increase our visibility with institutional investors and propel GAN to the next level.”

Valley Forge Casino Resort 

Ron Bailey has been names vice president and general manager of Valley Forge Casino Resort, where he will be charged with leading overall strategy and oversee day-to-day operations of the property, which includes 850 slot machines and 50 table games.

Prior to joining Valley Forge Casino Resort, Bailey served as vice president and general manager at Boyd Gaming’s Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino in Shreveport, Louisiana.

In addition, he also previously held the position of assistant general manager at The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

“Ron is a seasoned executive with a strong track record of success and diverse experience from multiple gaming properties and jurisdictions,” noted Ted Bogich, executive vice president of operations at Boyd Gaming Corporation.

“Under Ron’s leadership and with our talented team at Valley Forge Casino Resort, we expect to see continued growth for the property and exceptional service for our guests.”

Receptional

Bedfordshire based digital marketing agency Receptional has announced the additions of Jack Rose and Dean Rowland to its board of directors.

Rose has taken on the role of operations director, overseeing the day-to-day running of the business to support its clients. Rowland joins as business development director to oversee new business and marketing to drive growth.

Justin Deaville, Receptional’s managing director, commented: “Jack has been a valued member of our team for several years. He has been a keystone of our culture and has contributed enormously to the team’s personal and commercial growth. He is both liked and respected. I’m delighted he has agreed to join the board.”

Adding: “I’m excited Dean will be joining Receptional as a director. He has worked for some
of the world’s most successful agencies – OMD, Havas, Publicis, and MullenLowe
Group – so he has loads of relevant experience.

“He’s going to fit in well with the rest of the team; during the interview process, his
commitment to culture stood out. He is creative, yet analytic; ambitious but thoughtful. And his drive matches ours.”

Jamul Casino

Jamul Casino has announced that Theresa Grady has been promoted to chief financial officer, where she will be charged with adding oversight of the compliance, procurement, and cash and club services department to existing responsibilities

Grady’s advancement comes after almost four years with the casino as its former director of finance, where she was highly involved in building the casino‘s finance, audit, vendor payments, payroll, and count operations teams, as well as helping spearhead the completion of a recent refinance in January 2021.

“I love working in the tribal gaming setting—it’s unique, challenging, and ever-changing.  I have especially loved working with the Jamul Tribe for the past several years,” Grady said.

“The tribe has a relatively young casino, but has been able to establish it as a respected leader in the San Diego gaming industry. Being a part of helping the tribe grow and prosper by creating this stable platform for future generations has been very rewarding.”

Everi

Everi has announced that E. Miles Kilburn, chairman of the board of directors, has informed the company of his intention to retire and will not stand for re-election at the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, which will be held on May 19, 2021.

Subsequently, the board has appointed CEO Michael Rumbolz to become chairman upon Kilburn’s retirement, as well as naming Ronald Congemi, a member of the board for the last eight years, as lead independent director, effective immediately.

The board says that it intends to review the opportunity to fill the open director position created by Mr Kilburn’s retirement “through the addition of a new director that would continue to advance the gender, cultural and professional diversity of its current composition and that would bring additional gaming, financial technology, digital and leadership experience to the board”.

Potawatomi Hotel & Casino

The Forest County Potawatomi Community, owners of the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee, has named Sheryl Schnering as interim CEO/general manager of the property.

Schnering, who replaces Rodney Ferguson in the position, has worked at the property for 13 years and currently serves as the CFO, a role occupied for the last six years.

“Sheryl has been an integral part of our team at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino for well over a decade. She has been with us throughout our growth and has helped us successfully navigate through this pandemic,” said Ned Daniels Jr, chairman of the Forest County Potawatomi Community.

“Sheryl has been nothing short of exceptional during her tenure at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, and we know that success will continue while we transition to the next era of our operations.”

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MGM Resorts International

Jeff Mochal has joined MGM Resorts International as senior vice president of corporate communication, where he will be based in Las Vegas and report to Ayesha Molino, who has been promoted to senior vice president of public affairs.

Mochal will oversee the company’s corporate communications and strategic positioning, leading issues management strategy and proactive media relations, internal communications and social impact and sustainability messaging strategies for issues affecting the company on a global scale.

“Jeff is joining the company at a crucial time. His skills and expertise will be invaluable as our industry recovers from the pandemic and MGM Resorts seizes on rapidly growing opportunities in mobile gaming and executes on its goal to become the premier global omni-channel gaming, hospitality, and entertainment company,” said Molino.

“Jeff’s strong background and years of experience defining a corporate mission and strategy as a clear and compelling narrative makes him a valuable addition to this leadership team.”

Gaming1

Gaming and sports betting operator Gaming1 has appointed Lana Khoury to the role of chief information officer, building upon a 20-year career in the technology and consulting industry.

Chosen for an ability to align business and IT by managing technology in pursuit of an organisation’s success, the position will see Khoury build on the awareness of the group’s brands, as well as implementing organisational changes to support the company’s agile delivery model and data-driven focus.

Sylvain Boniver, COO and co-founder at Gaming1, noted: “I am delighted to welcome Lana to the team. A world-class addition, her appointment forms part of a recruitment drive aimed at accelerating our continued international expansion into crucial markets.

“With a precise and technically-minded approach, as well as an impressive skillset and portfolio, she is exactly what we need to take our brand to the next level.”

A Game Above

Nicolas Fleiderman has been selected as the new chief executive officer for A Game Above, taking over fromSteen Madsen who stepped down earlier this year.

Fleiderman’s appointment comes soon after the customer experience campaigns and consulting agency celebrated its first anniversary.

In his new role, the new CEO will focus primarily on the company’s growth within regulated markets across Africa, Europe, the US and Latin America as well as the ‘omnichannel opportunity’.

Bill Pascrell III, president of A Game Above, stated: “An industry veteran of Nicolas’ calibre is totally the right call for the A Game Above team at this point in the business mission. The commitment to detail and delivery is obvious across Jakob Famme and Ismail Vali’s experience and day-to-day.

“As president, I’m looking for the medium to long term performance and structure that builds reliably to success. Nicolas’ appointment delivers a  dealmaker and sole decision-maker with a solid track record that speaks to only one outcome: getting the job done, and done well. I’m very much looking forward to working with him.”

Checkd Media

Manchester-based social media marketing and technology business Checkd Group has hired Glenn Townsend as poker manager for its Checkd Media division.

Townsend, who was previously marketing manager at partypoker liver, will take on the role of delivering Checkd Media’s poker strategy, which centres around the Footy Accumulators Poker League.

Alex Beecham, Checkd Media managing director, commented: “Glenn’s track record with partypoker live shows that he has the drive and expertise to maintain the momentum that the Footy Accumulators Poker League has picked up over the past year.

“We intend for poker to continue to be a strong element within our product mix, engaging our communities and driving traffic.”

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Ian Sims, founder of affiliate compliance specialist Rightlander, said: “Spreading the risk across markets is important for affiliates.  

“A couple of operators recently pulled out of the UK because of compliance issues, which means that every affiliate in that market for those operators loses commission, loses income. So spreading the risk across markets and operators is to be advised.” 

The panel, titled Affiliates – Compliance Minefield, was sponsored by Safe Affiliate Programs and moderated by Jessica Moreno, Principal at JMore Legal in Malta. Given the need for diversification, Moreno asked the panel how new affiliates coming into a market could compete with established, larger affiliates.

“Smaller affiliates should look for niches and settle into them with well targeted content”
– Yaroslav Stanev, Oddspedia

Yaroslav Stanev, Chief Marketing Officer at betting affiliate Oddspedia, agreed that affiliates “should not put all their eggs in one basket.” 

“Smaller affiliates should look for niches and settle into them with well targeted content,” said Stanev, a notion echoed by Peter Ješko, Data Analysis & Affiliate Relations Lead, at gaming affiliate CasinoGuru.

Ješko said: “It is about focusing on doing things better than the opposition and focusing on small markets may well be the way to achieve that. I agree that one risk of this is that legislation and regulation changes are very hard to predict.”

On the question of affiliates appearing authoritative and building a reputation, Sims continued: “It’s quite simple, players want to hear from people who know what they’re talking about. 

“Compliance doesn’t have to be negative,” said Sims. “The good thing is that compliance can build trust. If you have players that trust affiliates and trust operators, then you will have a perhaps smaller but better base of players to work with. 

Ješko concurred: “We want good relationships with operators of course but we want to offer our players the best information.” 

“It’s about striking a balance,” continued Sims. “I’d be looking at removing anything from my website that could be deemed a risk. Especially old content or content that suggests that gambling can improve a player’s lifestyle, for example. 

“I think the competitive advantage comes from being able to get through this compliance minefield and show you can work in this environment – that you can be trusted by operators and players.”

The three-day CasinoBeats Malta Digital, delivered in association with Gaming Malta, concludes today. The event features 40 virtual exhibitors, numerous networking opportunities, 140 leading speakers, and countless business opportunities for 3,000 senior decision-makers from operators, suppliers, affiliates and other industry stakeholders.

Alongside the exhibition, networking and conference – the content from which will be available on demand to delegates after the event – visitors also gain access to the full range of entertainment on offer, including free-play slots, daily competitions and a selection of prizes such as iPads and cash.

Find full details of CasinoBeats Malta Digital, including information about how to register and the discounts available on company group passes, at the event’s official website: https://sbcevents.com/casinobeats-malta-digital/

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The licence for the Keystone State follows on from the company’s entry into the New Jersey market in April 2021. As a result, Enteractive will be able to roll out its (Re)Activation Cloud platform which enables sportsbook operators to target, and engage with, specific player segments.

Mikael Hansson, Enteractive CEO, said: “With this Pennsylvania licence in addition to our licence in New Jersey, we’re available to support player retention for sportsbooks in the two largest online gambling states of the US.  

“With some leading US brands already working with our stateside teams, our journey across the pond gets more exciting each day.”

In addition to player reactivation services, Enteractive will also carry out “one-to-one conversations with players”. This is something that the company believes will “act as a frontline protection against problem gambling”.

Andrew Foster, Chief Business Officer at Enteractive, added: “After the early success Enteractive has seen in the US market and the positive way players are responding to our one to one personal approach, we’re proud to announce that we are expanding our reach into Pennsylvania state. 

“It’s encouraging to see that the US audience is as appreciative of a personal, qualitative approach as the other global audiences we engage with on behalf of operator brands.”

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1. Time-Sensitive Welcome Bonus: Solving the Hesitation Problem

The Challenge:
In the fast-paced world of online gaming, hesitation can be costly. Research reveals that players typically decide whether to make their first deposit within the first few minutes of signing up (35 seconds to 7+ minutes on average). If they delay, the likelihood of them leaving “to think about it” and never returning increases significantly.

The Solution:
LalaStars addresses this challenge with a Time-Sensitive Welcome Bonus, offering players an enhanced wager-free bonus if they make their first deposit within 15 minutes of registration.

How It Works:

New players receive a limited-time offer after registration: deposit within 15 minutes to unlock an enhanced wager-free bonus.

The countdown creates urgency, motivating players to act quickly while excitement is high, reducing drop-offs and missed opportunities.

Key Outcomes:

• Higher Conversion: More players deposit immediately after registering.
• Better Experience: The bonus enhances the onboarding process with a timely reward.
• Proven Impact: Conversion rates from registration to deposit rose by 24.6% in Tier-One markets.

By addressing hesitation head-on, this feature transforms initial curiosity into action, benefiting both players and operators alike.

2. Risk-Free Bonus for Casino Players: Eliminating First-Time Deposit Anxiety

The Challenge:
For new casino players, the fear of losing their first deposit can be a significant barrier to entry. This hesitation often prevents players from engaging fully with the platform, impacting conversion rates and limiting player retention.

The Solution:
Introducing a Risk-Free Bonus, inspired by the sports betting model but tailored for casinos. Players receive a money-back guarantee if they fail to double their first deposit within 24 hours, creating a no-risk environment for new users.

How It Works:

• Upon their first deposit, players are reassured with a guarantee: if they don’t double their funds within 24 hours, they get their money back.
• This eliminates the fear of loss, encouraging players to try the casino and engage with games confidently.

Key Outcomes:

• For Players: A sense of security reduces hesitation, making it easier for them to deposit and explore.
• For Operators: Structured bonus conditions lower overall costs compared to traditional first-deposit offers.
• For Affiliates: A standout USP attracts more players, simplifying traffic acquisition and reducing costs.

This feature bridges the gap between hesitation and action, building trust and engagement with new players.

3. Personalised Game Recommendations with AI: Enhancing the Player Journey

The Challenge:
In a crowded marketplace, retaining player interest requires more than just offering a variety of games. Generic recommendations often fail to resonate, leading to lower engagement and missed revenue opportunities.

The Solution:
We use AI-powered game recommendations to deliver a personalised gaming experience tailored to each player’s preferences and behaviour.

How It Works:

The AI analyses player preferences — like favorite themes, stakes, or game styles — and recommends games that match their interests. For example, a fan of high-stakes fruit slots might be shown a progressive jackpot game with a similar theme.

Key Outcomes:

• For Players: Tailored suggestions boost engagement and help them discover new games they’ll love.
• For Operators: Promotes games with better terms or RTP/volatility, optimising costs and increasing profitability.

By tailoring content to individual preferences, this innovation fosters loyalty while optimising operational efficiency.

4. AI-Powered Outreach for “No-Deposit Users”: Turning Interest into Action

The Challenge:
Many players register but fail to deposit within the first 24 hours, leaving potential revenue on the table. Manually reaching out to these users is both time-consuming and costly, especially at scale.

The Solution:
LalaStars employs an AI-driven call system to re-engage these players with personalised offers, such as enhanced bonuses or assistance in making their first deposit.

How It Works:

• If a player doesn’t deposit within 24 hours, an AI system triggers an automated call.
• The AI offers tailored incentives or guidance to simplify the deposit process.
• If the player has additional questions, the AI seamlessly transfers them to a live operator for further support.

Key Outcomes:

• Efficiency: Boosts first deposits from inactive users by 13%.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Automated calls reduce costs by over 3000% compared to live operator outreach.
• Scalability: The system handles large volumes of calls without additional staffing.

This feature converts passive interest into active participation, enhancing player acquisition while keeping costs under control.

Looking Ahead

These are just a few of the innovations introduced by LalaStars this year. With 2025 on the horizon, the team is committed to further investments in groundbreaking features that will set new standards in the online gaming industry.

Innovation is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity and a benchmark in online gambling. We’ll continue to dedicate resources to stay ahead in this dynamic industry.

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