Catch up with all the latest iGaming business appointments for top-level exec positions. 888 Holdings, Aristocrat, GLI and more! (Photo by The Coach Space on Pexels)
Shifts in the iGaming industry don’t solely apply to acquisitions or new licensing. High-level executive positions are also regularly reported. These changes can influence stock prices, and a company’s future, as well as give us a hint of what is coming next.
In this iGaming business update, you get to look at some of the top executive positions across the industry. The focus is on who has moved where and who has exited their role. If you are savvy with the goings on within the world of gambling businesses, then you probably already know that 888 CEO Itai Pazner is certainly one of the main talking points.
Just to give you some spoilers, we have news from 888 Holdings, Aristocrat, Wizard Games, Digitain, and Global Laboratories International (GLI).
888 Holdings CEO Itai Pazner Makes a Sharp Exit
Although this is now old news, it’s still worth a mention for those of you looking for an all-in-one list of movers and shakers in the world of gambling. One of his main contributions was the supervision of the company’s expansion into the North American gambling market. This includes the launch of 888Casino, 888Poker and 888Sports in Canada’s Ontario iGaming market. In his time as CEO 888Casino already operated in New Jersey US, but he did oversee the launch of the 888 brands in Delaware.
There is speculation the reason for his exit was due to AML and social responsibility failures exposed via its VIP services offering in the middle east, but this is unlikely the reason behind his departure. With plummeting stock prices, frustrated investors, a market exit from the Netherlands, a drop in online revenue and other issues, he probably just felt now was a good time to step down. For the time being, Jonathan Mendelsohn has taken on the CEO role until the company can fill the position. Mr Mendelsohn is one of 888’s Non-Executive Chair members.
888 Financials: If you would like to catch up with 888 Holdings’ financial performance for Q4 2022 and the overall estimated revenues for last year, check out the 888Casino Operator 888 Holdings Q4 Revenue Review.
Marie Hubaud Becomes Aristocrat’s French Senior Market Manager
The iGaming market in France must be booming as Australian online and land-based gambling giant Aristocrat appointed a new Senior Market Manager to oversee activities in the country. This is a new position so there are no exits or sideways movements to report. She moves over from a previous role as LUDI SFM’s Sales & Marketing Director. On top of this, Ms Huband has worked in several commercial and marketing positions for multiple blue-chip firms.
Key Market: In the statement released by Aristocrat, LATAM & EMEA MD, Chris Rowe, said that France is an important market for the company. The company’s business in the country is predominantly land-based.
Digitain Brings in Simon Westbury as CEO of Sport Generate
Another appointment rattling the online gambling grapevines was the appointment of Simon Westbury by Digitain.
He will take on the role of CEO for one of the group’s sports betting brands – Sport Generate. Mr Westbury is well versed with the company already as he was the former Chief Business Officer (CBO) of Digitain itself. Bringing back a former employee who managed a high exec position in the past is also a good sign for the company. He left on amicable terms only to return to a higher-level position.
His role will involve overseeing the brand’s competitive line of virtual sports betting products, sports broadcasting, live odds and eSports betting.
New Digitain Products: Recently Digitain added another brand name to its group. The company’s long-awaited Imagine Live brand is here. It will focus on launching live dealer games to global iGaming markets adding yet more competition and diversity to this fast-growing online casino vertical.
David Elmore Takes on Head of Commercial Services Position at GLI
Global Laboratories International (GLI) is one of the most important random number generator (RNG) algorithms and online gambling security testing companies in online gambling. Certification from the company is a requirement for all games operating under the MGA, UKGC, and Curacao licensing authorities listed on the Casinoplusbonus reputable casinos page.
In a recent announcement, the industry award-winning testing laboratory announced it has appointed a new North American Commercial Services head. Much like Simon Westbury of Digitain, this is another ex-employee returning to fill a high-level management role. Previously, Mr Elmore was GLI’s Global Sales and Development head; a position he oversaw for 14 years. After a brief stint at the Gaming Innovation Group as the VP of Sales, he is back with GLI to help with growing demand in North America; an area where business is booming, and market growth is rapid.
His role will include dealing with casino operators in the region where GLI offer a range of services such as cybersecurity advice, training and implementation as well as helping operators stay up to date with the various regulatory frameworks.
Best Testing Laboratory: Last year GLI won the CEEG award for the ‘Best Testing Laboratory’ and picked up the award for ‘Best Testing Laboratory’ in The Nordics 2022 at the Scandinavian Gaming Awards (BSG Awards) 2022.
Yoganand Aiyadurai – Director of Game Technology at Wizard Games
NeoGames S.A subsidiary Wizard Games, (an Aspire Global Pariplay Ltd iGaming software development studio) has a new Director of Game Technology in place. The company announced Yoganand Aiyadurai would take on the position last week. What makes this appointment stand out is that Mr Aiyadurai spent 21 years with Microgaming’s Derivco (now part of Games Globa).
The Role: Some of the areas Mr Aiyadurai will oversee include market planning and trends, developing and evolving the company’s IT infrastructure, and research and development.
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