Europe

The board of GambleAware has completed its executive search after confirming that Zoë Osmond will be promoted as new CEO of the gambling harm-prevention charity.  Osmond, who currently serves as GambleAware’s Communications and Engagement Director, will replace incumbent Marc Etches, whose tenure as CEO finishes in March. GambleAware highlighted Osmond’s outstanding results in spearheading the charity’s multi-million pound safer gambling …

SBC checks in on how bookmakers’ nerves are faring as we move through the craziest Premier League season of all time, which week-to-week is producing shocks and trauma.  SBC: As it stands, the Premier League table sees seven teams separated by just seven points and no clubs showing any consistency in their form. Is 2020/2021 the Premier League’s craziest ever …

Justin King (CBE) has become the latest British business figurehead to join SAZKA Group’s bid to ‘refresh and revitalise’ the National Lottery.  The former Group CEO of Sainsbury’s Plc (2004-2015) will sit on the SAZKA ‘advisory board’ to provide counsel to Sir Keith Mills’ ‘bid team’, which is competing to win the government’s Fourth National Lottery Competition. King will play …

Gambling Integrity has strengthened its board via the recent addition of highly experienced Clive Hawkswood to its team. Hawkswood’s career has seen him work extensively in the development of industry best practice across a range of regulatory and social responsibility issues. This included regular dialogue with the British Gambling Commission and UK government..  “It is always better to seek out …

Groupe FDJ has announced a number of boardroom changes impacting the governance of Française des Jeux – France’s national lottery operator. The Paris Euronext firm confirmed the appointment of former IBM France and ManPower Southern Europe chief executive Françoise Gri as a new independent director, replacing Marie-Ange Debon for the remainder of her tenure (expiring 2023). Gri will fulfil Debon’s …

Virtual video sports producer Highlight Games has expanded its international operations by securing a Romanian gaming licence. The Romanian Gambling Authority has awarded the firm a Class II gambling licence enabling it to launch its flagship Soccerbet and NBA Last 60 products, among other offerings. SOCCERBET and NBA Last 60 will be available in English, Turkish and Italian variants, and …

The Jockey Club has kept its ‘NHS promise’ by confirming that a donation of 10,000 Randox Grand National tickets to Merseyside frontline staff and social care workers will be honoured at the 2022 festival at Aintree Racecourse.  Last year, the Jockey Club pledged to donate 10,000 tickets for the first day of the Randox Grand National Festival in 2021 in …

Quentin Martin, Chief Executive of Luckbox, has outlined his firm’s ‘new year resolutions’ as he plans to get the esports wagering platform in tip-top shape for a critical 2021.  Fresh from guiding Luckbox as the first esports wagering platform to list on the Toronto TSX Ventures Exchange (TSXV), Martin reflected on 2020 developments which placed esports firmly on betting’s global …

Greek online gaming and sports betting operator Kaizen Gaming has strengthened its board by appointing Claus Jansson as its new Head of Affiliate Marketing and Media Buying. Jansson’s primary responsibility will be overseeing the firm’s strategic local and international expansion plans for its flagship Betano and Stoiximan brands, and will report directly to company CMO Panos Konstantopoulos. ‘It’s a great …

GambleAware has released its donor list for the first three quarters of 2020, with William Hill topping the list, followed by Flutter Entertainment and bet365. Publishing its industry donation figures for 1 April – 30 December 2020, GambleAware revealed that William Hill made a pledge of £1.04 million, with £540,000 donated. Following William Hill was Flutter Entertainment – the holding …