The international software company that is a part of the world’s leading gaming and sports betting operator Flutter Entertainment, Singular, announced an important senior-level appointment. The company revealed on Tuesday it selected Phil Garner for the role of managing director. In his new position with Singular, he is expected to play an instrumental role in its growth and expansion.

Joining Singular, Garner fills the position of George Shamugia, the company’s co-founder who used to hold the managing director role for more than 10 years. While Shamugia will no longer serve in the capacity of managing director, he will oversee the smooth transition of responsibilities to Garner. At the same time, Shamugia will remain a part of Singular and serve as its chief architect.

Currently, the company is renowned for its innovative and award-winning software solutions that power operators across the globe. Singular has a growing team of seasoned experts and remains dedicated to delivering software and solutions that stand out with reliability, scalability, flexibility and innovation. The company was acquired by Flutter back in 2021 and joined its international division.

“The major focus will be to enable Singular to be part of the Flutter Edge and charge our capabilities in markets with high-growth potential.“

Phil Garner, managing director at Singular

Sharing his excitement about the new role, Garner said that he will focus on spearheading the company’s growth and capitalizing on emerging opportunities. He thanked Shamugia for the dedication and success he brought to the company. “I’m glad we will continue working together as we pursue our vision and grasp the new opportunities that lie ahead for the team and the business,” said Garner in conclusion.

The Senior Executive Brings Extensive Experience

Darko Gacov, Singlular’s co-founder and director of operations, added that it is exciting to see Garner as the company’s new managing director. He welcomed Garner to the C-suite, acknowledging that he brings “extensive industry experience and profound understanding” of Singlular’s products, making him a perfect fit for the new role. Finally, Gacov predicted that the company will continue to deliver exceptional experiences for the brands it supports, guided by Garner.

Before joining Singular, Garner was a part of another Flutter-owned operator, PokerStars. During his tenure with the company, he held the role of senior director of infrastructure and platform services. His professional background includes more senior-level roles within Flutter Group, which enabled him to accumulate significant knowledge in payments, PAM and sports, among other gaming-related verticals.

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Operators offering sports betting and gambling services across the globe have strict rules when it comes to data protection. The access of senior-level employees is monitored while the protection of intellectual property remains an important priority for developers within the gambling sector.

Now, a new report reveals that an Aristocrat employee is facing legal action over allegedly downloading more than 6,800 files from its services. As announced by the Associated Press, Dinh Toan Tran, a game designer with Aristocrat, is in hot water after the leading gaming operator filed a lawsuit, claiming he downloaded thousands of files.

The alleged incident dates back to December. In its lawsuit, the leading pokies developer claims Tran downloaded more than 6,800 files. With the lawsuit, Aristocrat seeks to recover the files.

During a court hearing last week, the company secured a search order from the Federal Court. Consequently, a property where Tran allegedly resided was searched. During the search, electronic devices such as tablets, laptops and external storage devices were seized.

The Court ordered Tran to provide the details needed to log in while at the same time asking him to reveal his whereabouts. Moreover, Tran was ordered not to delete or discard any documents, files or other intellectual property that may belong to the company. Experts are currently analyzing the information uncovered on the devices that were seized during the search that happened at a property located in western Sydney.

Analysis of the Information from the Seized Devices Continues

Ken Brotherson, is the lawyer representing the employee. He confirmed that his client wasn’t present when the search warrants were executed.

Federal Court Justice Yaseen Shariff explained that Aristocrat had a right to determine whether it was wrong or right about its suspicion of the downloaded files. He explained: “It seems to me everything has been done extremely professionally.”

It is yet to be confirmed if Tran indeed obtained any company files. Currently, it remains unclear what the essence of those files might be. Still, John Hennessy SC, Aristocrat’s barrister, informed the court on Thursday that a specific USB storage device is “the focus of the investigation.” Investigation and analysis of the files obtained during the searches continue.

The legal action comes after in December, Aristocrat announced the launch of its 3rd NFL-themed game, Overtime Cash. The launch reaffirmed the company’s successful relationship with the NFL and further expanded the portfolio of games for fans of the sport.

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Allwyn UK, the successor of Camelot as The National Lottery operator, announced a major new appointment. According to the announcement, Steve Parkinson, a former Bauer Media leader, will join the Allwyn team as its new brand and marketing director.

In this new position, Parkinson will leverage his expertise to grow The National Lottery and help it generate more funds for good causes. In this position, Parkinson will replace Ivor Burns who is set to step down from his position after 14 years with The National Lottery.

Allwyn pointed out that Parkinson is a former Bauer Media employee who held several senior marketing and business leadership positions. He oversaw the growth and brand development of Kiss, Magic, Absolute Radio, Jazz FM, Planet Rock and more. Parkinson also boasts experience in leading post-acquisition integrations, Allwyn added.

Before joining the UK’s most influential media brand network, Allwyn’s new hire served as EMAP’s marketing and brand director. In this position, he managed a portfolio of consumer brands across multiple channels, as well as a roster of creative and media agencies. His track record also includes a decade at Chrysalis where he held a number of senior roles.

The appointee will bring a wealth of experience in transforming brands to Allwyn UK’s team, as well as extensive knowledge of media partnerships and creative production. His appointment comes ahead of Allwyn’s takeover of The National Lottery and in the wake of Mark Hughes’ appointment as chief security officer.

Parkinson Is Excited to Join Allwyn in Such an Important Time

Parkinson expressed his excitement about the opportunity to join Allwyn at such a pivotal time for the company. He said that he is excited to work with Allwyn on raising money for good causes.

The National Lottery is a huge part of UK life and contributes so much to society through Good Causes funding – so to come on board at the very beginning of a new era, with a new operator, is incredibly exciting.

Steve Parkinson, brand and marketing director, Allwyn

Allwyn’s chief commercial officer, Lucy Buckley, welcomed Parkinson to the Allwyn family, lauding him as a “proven marketing leader.”

We’re excited about what he can bring to Allwyn and The National Lottery, with his wealth of experience in senior marketing roles.

Lucy Buckley, CCO, Allwyn

Buckley also used the opportunity to thank Burns for his enormous contribution to The National Lottery which left The National Lottery’s brands “in great shape.”

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Moya Wilson, a seasoned professional with over seven years of experience at PokerStars, has embarked on a new journey, joining ACE Hollreiser as its director. Her transition to the Isle of Man-based business consultancy marks an exciting turn in her career. Wilson was present during a period of rapid growth for PokerStars and will likely look to recapture some of that winning formula.

Wilson Is a Seasoned Professional

Before joining PokerStars, Wilson had accumulated over 25 years of marketing expertise across various industries, creating a robust foundation for her professional growth. One of her most notable roles was at marketing and public relations service provider Ashgrove Marketing, where she worked as a senior account manager, bolstering her leadership experience.

Wilson commenced her tenure at PokerStars in December 2016, assuming the role of senior manager of consumer public relations. Her dedication and skillset quickly propelled her to Head of PR and Consumer Engagement in November 2022. Her understanding of public relations messaging and commitment to her clients’ needs made her a valuable addition to the PokerStars Team.

Her time at PokerStars saw Wilson play a pivotal role in several strategic initiatives, demonstrating her commitment to fostering inclusivity within the gaming community. Wilson was one of the primary driving forces behind PokerStars’ 2023 Women Bootcamp, helping diversify poker by giving more women the skills they need to enter the vertical.

PokerStars Remains a Market Leader

Wilson expressed her enthusiasm about this career shift, taking to LinkedIn to thank her colleagues at PokerStars. She expressed optimism for the future, as her new management position at ACE Hollreiser marks a significant professional advancement. While her new position as Director bears substantial responsibilities, Wilson’s extensive and diverse resume should give her all the tools to excel.

I am delighted to announce that after a fantastic 7 years at PokerStars, I have a new and really exciting challenge. I am starting a new position as Director at ACE Hollreiser!

Moya Wilson, ACE Hollreiser director

While Wilson’s departure from PokerStars sees another valuable talent leave the company, the operator should be able to adjust to this development and maintain its impressive momentum. PokerStars’ most recent collaboration saw it partner with casino games provider Play’n GO to provide an exclusive NHL-themed experience, expanding the company’s customer engagement efforts.

Wilson’s wealth of experience and her track record of successful initiatives position her as a valuable addition to ACE Hollreiser, bringing impressive knowledge and insights to the consultancy firm. Such movement of talent is invaluable to modern businesses and should hopefully allow both companies to excel and adapt to today’s rapidly changing economic realities.

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Monique Sebastian will pursue and focus on growth as part of the company, having served for more than two decades in various entertainment companies and held numerous positions commanding the same level of responsibility. Sebastian recently held a position at Foxwoods Resort Casino where she secured performances by Alicia Keys, John Legend, Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin Hart, and many others.

Bringing Entertainment to the Heart of Seneca Gaming

She has welcomed her appointment, adding that she was delighted to now be a part of Seneca Gaming Corporation’s efforts to bring the best value-added entertainment to guests. Sebastian added:

I am eager to elevate and achieve a dynamic and diverse entertainment program that brings together A-list performers and performances with cutting-edge concepts to deliver unforgettable experiences for our guests.

Monique Sebastian

She will be tasked with artist bookings and performances for a number of properties, including the Seneca Niagara Event Center, Bear’s Den Showroom at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino and the Seneca Allegany Event Center at Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino.

Sebastian will work on new experiences and events, both indoors and outdoors, to continue attracting tourists, and she will follow in a tradition that sees Seneca Gaming Corp. attract prominent celebrities who in turn drive footfall at its properties.

Seneca Gaming CMO Melissa Free was excited and happy with the news of welcoming Sebastian, adding that the newly-appointed director of entertainment has a successful track record in driving overall entertainment value for the businesses she works for. She was hailed as a creative and innovative thinker, with Free adding:

We have world-class resorts that attract world-class talent. With Monique’s energy, vision and proven experience, we are excited to maximize our offerings and to stand apart as the preeminent live entertainment destinations in our region.

Seneca Gaming CMO Melissa Free

Sebastian Embarks on an Ambitious and Challenging Job

The venues that Sebastian will be in charge of present a new challenge for her, ranging from 2,500-people entertainment settings to a more private and hush-hush 440-seat theater at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino. Sebastian will also have to add to a lineup of performers who already include Jay Leno, David Spade, Smokey Robinson, Gary Allan, Craig Ferguson, KISS, and many others.

Ensuring a good flow of stardom at casino properties has become synonymous with driving revenue at gaming floors as entertained customers are usually spending players, but performances also boost revenue spending and lay the groundwork for future bookings.

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The leading iGaming affiliate, Catena Media, announced an important senior-level appointment today. The company confirmed that its board of directors decided to appoint the seasoned executive, Sean Hurley, as non-executive director. Joining Catena, he fills in the role that was vacated by Per Widerström back in August this year. At the time, Widerström said that he decided to step down and take on the position of chief executive officer at 888 Holdings.

Catena confirmed that Hurley’s appointment to its board of directors will come into effect once the required regulatory filings with the Malta Business Registry are completed. The company revealed that the term of the new non-executive director would last through the end of its next annual general meeting. This requirement, Catena said, is in line with the Maltese Companies Act as well as the company’s articles of association.

Ahead of the appointment of the new non-executive director, Catena confirmed the divestment of its Italian assets earlier this month. At the time, the company revealed that the divestment of its casino and sports assets in Italy was completed in two details totaling $21.7 million. This achievement also marked the completion of its strategic review that sought to boost the company’s focus on markets across the Americas.

Hurley Is Thrilled to Join Catena’s Board of Directors

Becoming a part of the board of directors at Catena brought excitement for Hurley. He said that it is thrilling to join the company at such an important phase in its growth and development. Finally, Hurley explained: “I am delighted to have been asked to contribute my expertise as the company moves forward and further strengthens its position as a leading affiliate in North America.”

“Catena Media has entered an exciting new phase in its development and has a promising future ahead.“

Sean Hurley, non-executive director at Catena Media

As a seasoned expert, Hurley brings a wide range of skills and knowledge from the betting and gaming sectors. Overall, he spent more than 13 years within the vertical, proving himself as a leading advisor, experienced executive and investor. Throughout his extensive career within the sports betting, casino and social gaming sectors, Hurley held different important senior-level positions related to affiliate and business-to-consumer relations. He also held important positions related to the business-to-business sector.

Earlier this month, Catena posted its Q3 results, showing a revenue decrease of 28% year-over-year. Besides revenue, the company’s adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations halted at $3.4 million, representing a decrease of 65%.

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Hard Rock Digital, Hard Rock’s online casino and sports betting arm, has welcomed a new addition to its team. The one to join the company at this time is Martin Graham Arthur who will serve as the company’s new director of product operations.

Joining a team of new and familiar faces, Arthur will now be responsible for managing the product team and improving the company’s offering. To that end, the new hire will leverage years of experience in the gambling sector.

Hard Rock Digital’s new director of operations boasts an impressive track record. He has worked within the gaming industry for over a decade and has served a number of notable companies.

Arthur’s career started in 2008 when he joined PokerStars as payment analyst. After almost two years, he was promoted as payment services manager and then product manager. In 2014, Arthur became PokerStars’ senior product manager – a position he held for over two years and a half.

Following that, Arthur became an associate director of product & program management for The Stars Group’s sports division. After almost three years in that position, Arthur saw The Stars Group acquired by the Irish gambling giant Flutter Entertainment. At that point, Arthur was appointed as Flutter’s vice president of product & program management for the US market.

As Hard Rock Digital’s new director of product operations, Arthur will leverage almost 15 years of industry experience and many years of product experience to bolster the operator’s business.

An Exciting New Chapter for Arthur

Arthur commented on his new appointment on LinkedIn, sharing an old photo. He reminisced about his arrival in London in 2008 and how he got his first “real job” at a company he hadn’t even heard of.

Now, Arthur has years of experience, 3 continental relocations, 1 FBI shutdown and “countless amazing experiences” behind his back. He thanked everyone who made his time with PokerStars/Amaya/The Stars Group/Flutter special.

I can’t name everyone who made this time special as there are too many, so I’ll just say thank you to all. So much in my life today that I am thankful for and appreciate traces back to this journey.

Martin Graham Arthur, director of product operations, Hard Rock Digital

Arthur added that he is very excited about the new opportunities awaiting him as a member of the Hard Rock family.

Now, I am incredibly excited to be taking on a new challenge with Hard Rock Digital as Director of Product Operations. Ready to rock with some familiar faces and a talented team!

Martin Graham Arthur, director of product operations, Hard Rock Digital

In August, Hard Rock launched its Hard Rock Bet brand in New Jersey.

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Crown Gaming México has selected Enrique Manjarrez who will be stepping into the new position. He is an important addition to the company’s team of experts, as the man is a seasoned veteran with more than 20 years of relevant experience in the industry.

An Industry Specialist With Excellent Track Record

He first started at Scientific Games back in 2006 and worked as a field service engineer and QA. He was promoted to commercial manager a year after and moved to American Gaming Systems in 2012.

There, he spent another two years as a marketing manager and then shifted to marketing director for Sunny Group of Companies. His most recent professional path took him to Aurify where he worked as brand director and product director from 2019-2022, and then shifted to sales and product director in Mexico in 2022-2023.

He is now stepping into his new role as part of Novomatic’s sprawling network of highly-localized companies and arms. Commenting on his appointment as part of Crown Gaming Mexico, Manjarrez said:

I am excited to be part of one of the largest gaming technology companies in the world. Novomatic is known for its quality products and innovations.

Crown Gaming México commercial director Enrique Manjarrez

The executive offered his thanks to be able to work in his home country and as a part of a global company. Novomatic VP global sales and product management Thomas Schmalzer said that his company was similarly excited to bring someone of Manjarrez’s caliber.

Schmalzer said that thanks to Manjarrez, Novomatic feels confident about growing its local footprint in the country. So far, the company has been present locally for 20 years, and the executive is determined to see this continue. Manjarrez plays an important role in this.

Meanwhile, the company has been pushing out globally. A recent deal saw Novomatic strengthen its Asia-Pacific ties in a bid to further bolster its regional presence and expand into yet more geographies.

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Massachusetts’ Gaming Commission (MGC) will say goodbye to executive director Karen Wells on July 14, the last day when the lead will carry the official title. Wells has announced she would be stepping down from the position at the end of a long and eventful decade spent at the wheel. 

A Friendly Closure 

The departure was most likely an amicable one, as expressed by the gushing praises that both Wells and the commission’s chair, Cathy Judd-Stein, offered to one another, as marked in the agency’s official statement regarding the news.

Wells, who received the unanimous vote to become the new executive director from MGC’s five commissioners on September 10, 2020, was described as “the model of a leader” by Judd-Stein. 

The chair, who spoke on behalf of fellow commissioners, also thanked Karen “for her contributions to the MGC over her ten years of service and for the leadership she has provided as executive director.” The regulator’s effectiveness, added Judd-Stein, was “a direct reflection of Karen’s efforts and her ability to build, motivate and direct the MGC team.” 

While getting ready to announce the process that would help them choose their new executive director at the end of a series of upcoming public meetings, the agency used the voice of its chair to praise Wells’ “strategic abilities and steady presence.” 

These, according to Judd-Stein, allowed the commission to build a sports betting industry fully committed to protecting consumers. At the start of June, the MGC assessed if the marketing tactics and language used by a Barstool promotion violated the state’s current regulations. 

Wells, “Forever Thankful for the Support”

During the same public statement, Wells took the opportunity to speak about the last ten years she “had the privilege of working” for the MGC, initially as director of the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau, which is the agency’s largest department, and as executive director over the last three years. 

Describing the agency’s current core responsibilities as “operating smoothly,” Wells expressed confidence in the agency’s ability to continue its excellent work. She also said she will be “forever thankful for the support” received from commissioners, colleagues, and licensees. 

At the start of the year, prior to the launch of the market, the MGC voted in favor of including extra additions to the sports betting catalog of events that consumers would be allowed to wager on. 

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The globally-recognized supplier of virtual sports and numbers games, Kiron Interactive, confirmed a new senior-level appointment. The company revealed that it hired the services of the gambling veteran with extensive knowledge and experience within the Latin American region, Leticia Palacios.

Joining Kiron, she was appointed as the company’s new director of sales for Latin America. The recent appointment comes at a time when the company anticipates further expansion and growth in the region. Ultimately, by bringing Palacios, Kiron seeks to strengthen its Latin American presence and engage with new partners.

Palacios’ appointment also comes at the perfect moment, considering one of the most anticipated events for the gambling industry in the region, the SiGMA Americas Brazilian iGaming Summit. The event, planned between June 14 and June 18, 2023, is taking place at the TransAmerica Expo Center in São Paulo and will meet some of the most prominent gambling industry operators and software providers. Given the timing when Palacios joins Kiron, her first task is to join the company’s team for the much-anticipated gambling industry event. She, along with her colleagues, will be present at booth F113.

The New Director of Sales Brings Extensive Experience

Sharing her excitement, Palacios explained that Kiron has a strong reputation on a global scale. She pointed out that the company is also recognized within the gambling market in Latin America.

Additionally, Palacios said that she will be delighted to help Kiron continue to grow. Finally, she said: “It’s always a fantastic boost to have a strong brand and portfolio behind you and while Kiron’s is already established in the areas I’ll be focusing on, there’s always growth to be achieved and I can’t wait to get started.”

“Kiron has earned a formidable reputation globally as well as in LatAm and I’m relishing the challenge of helping the team take it to the next level.“

Letitia Palacios, director of sales LatAm at Kiron Interactive

Palacios studied at York University in Toronto, as well as Tecnológico de Monterrey. Throughout her professional career, she was a part of leading companies operating within the online and land-based gambling market in Latin America. This enabled Palacios to accumulate significant knowledge and experience, making her the perfect fit for the new role.

“Leticia has extensive industry experience across retail and online and her regional knowledge and contacts are unmatched.“

Steven Spartinos, co-CEO at Kiron Interactive

Steven Spartinos, Kiron’s co-CEO, spoke about Palacios’ extensive experience and contacts within the Latin American gambling market. He explained that she makes a fine addition to the company’s growing team of experts. Finally, Spartinos predicted that its new director of sales for LatAm will positively impact its growth in the region.

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