Bi-Weekly New Gambling Company Appointments (July) – 888 New CEO (Big News) + Novomatic Africa Reshuffle

Catch up with the long-awaited 888 Holdings CEO, Novomatic Africa’s reshuffle & more changes at gambling companies across the industry. (Image courtesy of corporate.888.com)

A huge 2 weeks for the ‘Bi-Weekly New Gambling Company Appointments (July)’ report where you can catch up with all the big moves in the industry in a single bite-size chunk.

There are two featured stories. 888 Holdings finding the right fit for the CEO opening and Novomatic’s continued push into Africa.

On top of this, check out the highlighted box giving a brief rundown of new appointments in companies connected or operating within the overall casino industry either in an online or land-based capacity. For players, some of these companies you may not have heard about, but I like to report on as many new changes across the industry just in case maybe you come across these brands later.

For those of you who are working for or with operators, software providers, and other companies within the industry, the idea is to give you insights into the latest moves. You never know, a name you are familiar with may catch your eye!

Catch up on the previous gambling company appointments: You can rewind to the last report covering gambling company role changes via the iGaming New Appointments report on 21 July 2023.

888 Holdings Finally Appoints a New CEO

It has been a long time in the waiting since CEO Itai Pazner resigned from the role in February. The new CEO to take his place is Per Widerström. He will begin as the new Chief Executive Officer on 16 October 2023 taking over from interim CEO Lord Mendelsohn. Mendelsohn will now resume his original role as non-executive chairman.

C Widerström was the CEO of Fortuna Entertainment Group between 2006 and 2014. Since his departure, he has continued working in firms across Europe clocking up 17+ years in the gambling entertainment industry.

At the time of the announcement, 888 Holding’s share on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) saw a jump in value from 104 GBX up to the 109 GBX zone and holding by the time the LSE closed Friday evening.

888 Holdings Casinos: Currently the company owns and operates 888Casino online, William Hill online casino and sports book as well William Hill high street gambling venues. Adding to this Mr Green Casino!

Novomatic Africa Reorganises Management Structure

In the Novomatic camp, Africa increasingly becoming a focal point for its online and land-based casino venue operations. To confirm that statement, the company has created a new management structure in order to continue its growth across the continent.

Here are some of the notable moves in the management shakeup:

• Chantel Crossley: Now the new MD of Novomatic Africa, while also co-head for the Eswatini business side of operations.
• Sonya Nikolova: BOD member is heading back to Europe taking a key role in global sales in Austria after helping the brand’s South African division’s successful growth.
• Muriel Loftie-Eaton: Remains as a BOD for Novomatic Africa
• Alexander Merwald: Also remains as a BOD for Novomatic Africa

Although the current iGaming and overall online gambling GGR is not as large as other continents across the globe, it is the fastest growing. With the continent’s growth in iGaming, we are seeing an ever-increasing focus on regulations and events related to gambling continue to grow in the region. Evolution, Ezugi, Pragmatic Play, TVBET, 888Africa, and IGT are all big names already building a presence in the region.

Find out more about SA’s online gambling scene: For licensing information, a list of the top gambling platforms, and games available, try out the Casinoplusbonus South African online casinos guide.