Alexis Zamboglou takes UK&I lead at 888 as Managing Director

888 Holdings has tasked Alexis Zamboglou with coordinating its UK and Irish operations, apportioning the veteran betting executive as Managing Director for the two countries.

Zamboglou will hold responsibility for 888’s full brand portfolio in the British and Irish markets, including the 888sport, 888casino, William Hill and Mr Green betting and igaming operators.

A long-term member of Wiliam Hill and its senior management teams, Zamboglou joined the company back in 2020 when it was still an independent business and a constituent of the FTSE100 index.

Zamboglou wrote on LinkedIn: “Hugely excited to get the opportunity to run the UK and Irish business, with some of the biggest brands in the globe in William Hill, 888 and Mr Green! 

“Really looking forward to working across sports, gaming and marketing with some of the most talented teams in the industry and building on the success we’ve had so far in 2023.”

A three-year and six-month tenure at William Hill saw Zamboglou fill the roles of UK Strategy Director, Marketing Director and dual-role as UK Marketing Director and Managing Director for Ireland.

During this time, William Hill and its Mr Green igaming brand were acquired by Caesars Entertainment in 2021. The London-headquartered firm’s non-US assets were subsequently sold to 888 in September 2021 for £2.2bn, and integrated into its new parent company’s portfolio in February 2022.

In addition to experience at William Hill, Zamboglou has also worked for BoyleSports as Social Media Manager and Senior Marketing Manager and Marketing Director for Ladbrokes Coral and Entain.

His new role at 888 comes at a transformational time for the company, for its William Hill subsidiary and the UK and Irish betting sectors at large, with both countries undergoing legislative and regulatory changes on gambling.

The UK is currently undergoing a consultation period on the recommendations of the long-awaited Gambling Act review White Paper – published in April – whilst a bill re-regulating the Irish sector is moving through Dail Eireann.

A recent submission by 888 to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) revealed that William Hill’s extensive retail division is experiencing a recovery. Full year 2022 trading saw the firm generate revenue of £1.23bn, just below £1.24bn in 2021 revenue.

Meanwhile, 888’s last full year trading update revealed a 74% year-on-year increase in revenue to £1.23bn (£712m), although adjusted profit before tax fell 10% to £80.5m, amounting to a loss of £115m for 2022.

Zamboglou concluded: “It’s been a year of transformation and foundation building for 888/William Hill but we’re now ready and revving to go for growth in both the UK and Ireland, underpinned by our continued and tireless work on player safety and our customer first mission.”