Tag: Industry News

Online gaming entertainment and solutions provider 888 has appointed Vaughan Lewis to the newly created role of Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). He will join the Group in early 2021.

Reporting to CEO, Itai Pazner, Vaughan will support Itai in the development of the Group’s long-term strategy and will be responsible for strategic business development including M&A origination and execution. Also, Vaughan will be responsible for investor relations, working closely with the CFO to develop the Group’s investor relations strategy.

Vaughan joins 888 from Flutter Entertainment Plc. where he held the position of transformation lead for the international business following its acquisition of The Stars Group in May 2020. Prior to that, he held the roles of SVP of Communications at The Stars Group and Director of Corporate Development at Sky Betting & Gaming.

“We are delighted to welcome Vaughan as 888’s first CSO. Vaughan is a highly experienced gaming industry professional with a wealth of relevant expertise across both strategic development and investor relations. I have no doubt that his skills and background will support 888 to identify and deliver further growth opportunities over the coming years,” Itai Pazner, CEO of 888 said.

“888 is a company I have long admired, since my time as an equity analyst. 888’s unmatched scalable technology, coupled with its strong brand and marketing expertise have supported its growth to become an industry leader, and provide a powerful platform that underpins the Group’s significant continued growth potential. I am delighted to join a great team and to help drive forward the compelling growth opportunities that lie ahead,” Vaughan Lewis said.

SoftSwiss has integrated online casino games provider High5 Games to its Game Aggregator portfolio. More than 450 appealing High5 titles have become available for SoftSwiss White Label partners and B2B clients operating under Curacao and Malta licenses.

High5 Games is a well-known game studio founded in 1995 that grew to become one of the industry’s largest game content providers. High5 designed a world-renowned and fast-expanding slot games portfolio that can be played across six continents and in more than 150 countries.

SoftSwiss Game Aggregator continues growing with great force, adding to its portfolio outstanding game content from the most acclaimed and innovative game studios. To date, Game Aggregator brings together more than 11,000 games from over 70 game providers to choose from.

Apollo Global Management Inc., one of the world’s leading investors in gaming and largest alternative investment managers, has entered into a deal to invest €500m (£448.1m/$591.8m) in Sazka Group and KKCG.

The investment will be effected through an investment into SAZKA Entertainment AG, a newly- established 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of KKCG, which upon closing of the investment, will be the 100% owner of SAZKA Group.

“Our business is entering a new era and this investment and strategic partnership will support our long-term expansion plans. I am happy that, after a series of discussions with major investment funds from around the world, we came to an agreement to partner with Apollo. I believe the interest in SAZKA Group from one of the world’s leading investors in gaming and largest alternative investment managers and globally confirms the value and strategy of SAZKA Group, and is an endorsement of the excellent work of the entire SAZKA Group management team. In partnership with a strong US investor, SAZKA Group is well positioned to expand in Europe, the US and other potential regions, continuing to focus on lottery and complementary gaming verticals. I am convinced that the gaming industry is one of the most promising sectors for the future and SAZKA Group aspires to be a global player in this sphere. I have absolute confidence that with support from Apollo my team will take the business to the next level” Karel Komárek, founder of KKCG and Chairman of the Board of SAZKA Group, said.

“We are very excited to invest in SAZKA Group, one of Europe’s leading private lottery operators. The company has a very successful track record of organic and inorganic growth and we believe this investment, coupled with our sector expertise and relationships, will help the management team achieve their strategic growth plans in Europe and around the globe,” James Kim, Apollo Partner and European Co-Head of Hybrid Value, said.

The majority of Apollo Funds’ €500 million investment will be used to capitalise on acquisition and growth opportunities in Europe and North America, with a focus on lotteries. The transaction implies an equity valuation of €4.2 billion for SAZKA Entertainment.

1X2 Network has integrated its full suite of slots and table games with popular online casino brand Twin.

The integration, facilitated by GIG and Microgaming, will see titles from the developer’s 1X2gaming and Iron Dog Studio subsidiaries be made available to Twin’s players for the first time.

Twin will also launch its very own Branded Megaways slot. The innovative concept allows operators to create a bespoke Megaways title that captures the look, feel and ethos of their brand.

Jack Brown, Sales Director at 1X2 Network, said: “It’s great to see slots and table games from 1X2gaming and Iron Dog Studio stocked in the Twin game lobby.

“Twin shares the same ethos and approach as we do, and that is to provide players with the best online casino experience that they return to time and again.

“We are especially pleased that Twin will also launch a Branded Megaways slot – these games have proved to be incredibly successful with the operators that have launched them to date.

“I expect Twin to enjoy even greater success with its Branded Megaways slot and look forward to a long and successful partnership with the casino, its management team and its players.”

Kasper Bach, Head of Casino & VIP at Twin, said: “One of the key ingredients in a successful online casino is the quality and variety of the games offered, which is why we go to great lengths to form partnerships with the best providers available, resulting in an astounding game portfolio to offer our customers.

“To that end, integrating content from 1X2 Network was an absolute no brainer for us, as was developing our very own Branded Megaways slot.

“It has been a pleasure working with 1×2 Network and adding its games to our lobby and we look forward to seeing our players score some mega wins on our very own Branded Megaways slot.”

Holland Casino, the Netherlands’ state-owned casino operator, has closed all 14 of its branches for two weeks.

The Netherlands government has ordered public buildings to shut their doors in response to rising novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases, for two weeks. As a result, all casinos, cinema theatres, concert halls, libraries, swimming pools, saunas, zoos and amusement parks have shut their operations from November 4. They will remain closed until November 18.

Professional Hampshire CCC cricketer Chris Wood has joined the gambling-harm minimisation consultancy EPIC Risk Management as Pro-Sport Facilitator.

Chris recently opened up about his 11-year battle with a gambling addiction, which he has battled throughout a highly successful cricketing career, having helped his county Hampshire to win four white-ball trophies since making his debut in 2010.

“I’m delighted to be joining the fantastic team here at EPIC Risk Management. After an 11-year gambling addiction, I’ve found the process of admitting to my problem and opening up about my experience a liberating one. I spent years in fear of opening up and I’m passionate to help others to speak out sooner, to seek help, and ultimately, look at ways to educate others to not get to the point I did with such a harmful addiction,” Chris Wood said.

“I have been aware of the work EPIC have done, via the fantastic work they have done with Professional Cricketers’ Association, and I’m excited to be joining an organisation who passionately work to take the problem out of gambling through education, using our own lived experience and providing advice and support. Personally, this provides me with the opportunity to enhance my recovery, working alongside some brilliant people. I’m very much looking forward to contributing,” Chris Wood added.

“This is a very significant addition to the team at EPIC Risk Management. Chris has carved out a highly successful career as a professional sportsman, winning some of the highest honours domestic cricket can offer and yet, has done so whilst battling a gambling addiction,” Paul Buck, CEO of EPIC Risk Management, said.

“We want to make athletes aware of the potentially destructive financial implications and health issues that out-of-control gambling can cause. To equip them with the knowledge and tools for them to make well-informed decisions, reducing distraction and maximising performance. To have an athlete of Chris’ standing, ability, and lived experience bringing this message to life can enhance our work, work that we passionately believe can save lives. It’s a real coup for us and for the work in reducing gambling-related harm,” Paul Buck added.

Frits Huffnagel has stepped down as chairman of the Dutch gaming association VAN Kansspelen. Vice chair Aad Kobus will take over the position of chairman on an interim basis. Huffnagel will now concentrate on his communications agency, Castro Communicatie.

“It is with great pleasure and dedication that I have brought the interests of the members of VAN Kansspelen to the attention of government in The Hague in recent years. Under my chairmanship, a lot of hard work has been done on the image of the industry and on reaching the right discussion partners,” Frits Huffnagel said.

“This has led to the necessary results. And that has proved necessary, especially in this year when corona hit the industry so hard. The corona crisis is not over yet, but now that the Remote Gambling Act (KoA) will be introduced on 1 March 2021, it feels to me that my most important task is over after more than seven years,” he added.

EGT Interactive has entered into a partnership with Casino Gran Madrid Online. The deal is a logical expansion of the 5-year collaboration between EGT and land-based casino operator Casino Gran Madrid Group.

By expanding in Spain, EGT is strengthening its position on the market and has the opportunity to become a leading provider. Casino Gran Madrid Online already released some of EGT’s top-notch content. The titles that are already available for the Spanish players are Amazons’ Battle, Burning Hot, Caramel Hot, 30 Spicy Fruits, Age of Troy and many more.

“We are very proud to set the beginning of this partnership. Casino Gran Madrid is a well-known operator with a great reputation. This deal is definitely a huge success for both sides,” Todor Zahariev, Managing Director of EGT Interactive, said.

“Our aim is to always offer the best product and experience to our customers. With this agreement with EGT, we are taking another step forward to consolidate ourselves as one of Spain’s leading online Casino operators,” José Félix Herreros, Country Manager at Casino Gran Madrid Online, said.

“As part of the omnichannel strategy pursued by our Group, we are very proud to be able to incorporate EGT’s game portfolio into our online offering. EGT is one of our top performance providers in our land-based casinos and we are sure that their content will thrill our online customers too,” Sergio Rupérez, Head of Retail & Online Product at Casino Gran Madrid Group, said.