Two days after naming an ex-Washington Commanders executive as SVP of strategic communications, the American Gaming Association (AGA) has elected Michael Rumbolz as its new chairman.

Rumbolz currently serves as the executive chair of Everi Holdings’ board. As chair of the AGA, he will succeed Hard Rock International Chairman and Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen. The new appointee’s term is set to begin in January 2024.

Rumbolz boasts a colorful track record that saw him rise “from a busboy to the c-suite,” the AGA said. His career spans across all levels and aspects of the gaming industry with experience encompassing gaming equipment manufacturing and distribution, hotel and casino operations, casino financial technology, iGaming and compliance.

Some of the hire’s most notable prior positions include time as chief executive officer of Everi Holdings, member and chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and chief deputy attorney general of Nevada.

Rumbolz’ predecessor, Allen, played a key role in the industry’s impressive post-COVID recovery and the war on illegal gambling. The new hire will be responsible for maintaining the existing momentum and reinforcing the industry.

Rumbolz Will Be a Valuable Asset to the AGA

Rumbolz commented on his new position, expressing his gratitude about the opportunity to help shape gaming’s future. He promised to leverage his new position to build on the progress his predecessor made.

From stopping illegal gambling to evolving responsible gambling, the AGA is tackling transformational issues and I am eager to build on the progress made during Jim’s tenure.

Michael Rumbolz, chair, AGA

Bill Miller, the AGA’s president and chief executive officer, welcomed the new hire on board, praising him as “an industry legend in his own right.” Miller is certain that Rumbolz’ prior career has taught him all the skills needed to make him an invaluable addition to the AGA team.

Mike’s career as an operator, manufacturer and regulator is unparalleled and will be vital to driving meaningful progress on industry priorities.

Bill Miller, president & CEO, AGA

Miller also commented on Allen’s departure, thanking him for his exceptional service and help in maximizing the AGA’s impact on the industry. The CEO described the outgoing chair as a “trusted advisor” and said that he is thankful for his partnership.

Allen also shared his thoughts on the matter, saying that the AGA is poised for reshaping the industry under Miller and Rumbolz’ leadership. He concluded: “Our industry and this association have never been stronger. I am immensely proud of our success over the last two years accelerating gaming’s recovery while defining and advancing new priorities.”

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Sisal, the leading online gambling operator that is a part of Flutter Entertainment, announced an important C-suite appointment. The company revealed on Friday that it selected the seasoned expert with significant organizational and HR experience, Sian Carson, for the role of chief people officer. Joining Sisal’s C-suite, she is expected to oversee strategic processes related to the company’s growth in Italy and abroad. Moreover, the appointment complements the operator’s global expansion and development strategy.

Carson brings extensive knowledge and a variety of skills to Sisal. Her strategic guidance is expected to propel the company’s expansion. Currently, Sisal has a presence in several countries and has some 3,000 employees. As a renowned operator with a strong footprint in Italy, the company has established operations in other jurisdictions such as Tunisia, Turkey, Albania, as well as Morocco.

A University of Melbourne graduate in Humanities and Economics, Carson’s professional career in the financial sector began in Italy. At the time, she held different HR roles with UniCredit Group. Back in 2013, she became a part of Flutter Group. Initially, Carson held different roles, overseeing operations of Flutter’s Sportsbet division with brands such as Betfair and Paddy Power. Notably, she held the role of chief people officer where she was able to accumulate unique knowledge and insights.

The latest announcement by Sisal comes after late last month, Flutter confirmed it agreed to acquire a 51% stake in MaxBet, a leading gaming and betting operator in Serbia. The announced deal had a price tag of €141 million ($148.6 million) and the company confirmed that it anticipates acquiring the remaining 49% stake in the operator at some point in 2029.

Carson Is Delighted to Join Sisal

In a statement, Carson shared her excitement about her new role at Sisal. She said that she is proud to join the company at such an important moment and bring her strategic knowledge and guidance. Carson praised the efforts of Sisal’s more than 3,000 employees, explaining that growth and expansion are important for the company. Finally, Carson said: “Sisal’s multinational profile will give us the opportunity to work on issues of diversity and inclusion in all its aspects, with the goal of becoming a leading company in these issues.”

“I am delighted to enthusiastically welcome this new professional challenge in a group that employs more than 3 thousand people in 5 different countries and with an ambition of continuous growth in the near future, strong in its strategy that has always put people at the center.“

Sian Carson, chief people officer at Sisal

Francesco Durante, Sisal’s CEO, shared his excitement and welcomed her to the company’s C-suite. According to him, Carson brings the relevant experience and knowledge to propel Sisal’s future growth in Italy and abroad. Finally, Durante spoke about the importance of investing in people and skills for the future of international companies.

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The leading casino technology provider, delivering products to more than 60,000 casino gaming machines across the United States, Acres Technology, strengthened its senior-level team with the addition of David Bain, a Wall Street gaming industry expert with a track record in corporate finance. Joining the company, he was appointed to the role of chief financial officer (CFO).

In his new role at Acres, Bain is expected to oversee strategic financial processes. Leveraging his extensive experience and wide range of skills, he will play an important role in the growth of the company. Undoubtedly, an expert with the rank of Bain will quickly prove to be an important asset to Acres’ growing C-suite.

Sharing his excitement, the new CFO spoke about the company’s role in the casino industry. Bain pointed out that it is thrilling to join the company and help revolutionize the casino industry while at the same time growing the value for Acres’ stakeholders.

“Acres is again revolutionizing the casino industry and I’m excited to join the team to help grow value for all of our stakeholders. I have enormous respect for John’s vision, passion and execution that has led casino technology innovations for over 50 years.“

David Bain, CFO at Acres Technology

Bain Brings More than 25 Years of Experience to Acres

Currently, Bain holds a BA from UCLA, as well as an MBA from Pepperdine University. Additionally, he has a JD in Corporate Law from Loyola Law School. Overall, Bain’s career spans more than 25 years. His first career steps were as an entertainment attorney, but then he decided to enter the finance vertical.

The recently announced appointment by Acres comes after earlier this year, the company unveiled its interactive system, “ticket in, bonus out.” Back in August, the company confirmed that the groundbreaking system is expected to launch in the upcoming months.

“David can work anywhere he chooses and having someone of his caliber join our team as CFO is a powerful vote of confidence in our vision and our future.“

John Acres, founder and CEO of Acres Technology

John Acres, Acres’ founder and CEO, praised Bain’s extensive experience and acknowledged that he is an invaluable addition to the company’s team of experts. Last but not least, he pointed out: “David’s leadership will help us maximize profits for our customers, partners and stakeholders.”

Before joining Acres, Bain was most recently a part of B. Riley Securities. Throughout his extensive career, he held different senior-level roles, including managing director of corporate finance, as well as senior research analyst. Within the gaming sector, Bain engaged in research that probed the slot and gaming equipment supply vertical.

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The leading business-to-business customer retention and acquisition platform provider for free play sports games in North America, Chalkline, announced a senior-level appointment Tuesday. The company introduced its new strategic advisor, Victor Rocha. Becoming an advisor for Chalkline, he brings extensive experience within the gaming sector.

Currently, Rocha holds a leadership role with the consulting firm for expert advisory services and insights to the gaming sector with a focus on Indian Affairs, Victor Strategies. In addition, he is also the conference chairman for the Indian Gaming Association (IGA), a non-profit organization of sovereign tribal nations.

As an advisor with Chalkline, Rocha brings a wide range of experience. His strategic guidance and expert advice are expected to play an important role in the future expansion of the company and help it continue its growth in North America and beyond.

Undoubtedly, Rocha brings relevant and extensive knowledge to his new role, and he was already recognized for his work in the gaming sector previously. Back in 2012, he won the Casino Marketing Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, Rocha also holds the AGA’s Lifetime Achievement for Gaming Marketing and was recognized by the Global Gaming Business Magazine’s “40 Under 40,” among other prestigious achievements.

The Company’s CEO Welcomes Rocha to the Team

Sharing his excitement, Rocha revealed that it is thrilling to join Chalkline amid an important transformational period for the sector. He praised the team of experts at the company and their “platform’s ability to deliver personalized games and unique live and retail fan experiences.” In conclusion, Rocha said: “Driving value for tribal enterprises and empowering casino marketing departments to further engage sports fans on mobile makes perfect sense to me.”

“Joining the team at Chalkline during this transformational phase in industry is a perfect fit.“

Victor Rocha, advisor to Chalkline

Daniel Kustelski, the CEO and co-founder of Chalkline was similarly thrilled regarding the new appointment. He acknowledged Rocha’s wide range of experience within the gaming sector. Additionally, he predicted that Rocha will help shape the future of the company. Finally, Kustelski said that Chalkline is delighted to expand its team with the addition of Rocha who will provide strategic guidance and advice for the company’s player intelligence and marketing platform.

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The leading supplier of sports betting technology, Kambi Group, announced it inked a new important partnership in Sweden. The company said Tuesday it signed an exclusive long-term agreement with the leading Swedish operator, Svenska Spel Sport and Casino. Under the terms of the new collaboration, Kambi agreed to power the operator’s retail and online sportsbook.

The latest long-term partnership follows a competitive tender process that designated Kambi as the perfect partner for Svenska Spel. The company’s commitment to ensuring compliance, extensive experience with operators across the globe and complete sportsbook product that leverages cutting-edge technology were some of the advantages that helped the Swedish operator select Kambi.

Per the terms of the new agreement, Kambi’s subsidiary, Shape Games, will power the front end of Svenska Spel’s new sportsbook. This will result in strategic benefits and customization options for the operator that will be able to stand out from its competitors and deliver thrilling experiences. A statement released by Kambi reveals that the latest agreement is expected to have a “meaningful financial impact” starting from the second half of 2024.

Dan Korhonen, Svenska Spel Sports and Casino’s head of product sports betting, explained that Kambi was selected after an extensive evaluation process. “We have evaluated a number of different alternatives and we feel we have found the perfect partner in Kambi,” he added.

Korhonen predicted that the collaboration will strengthen significantly Svenska Spel’s offering. Finally, he said that the company is looking forward to the launch of its new sportsbook next year, delivering unrivaled entertainment to customers.

Kambi Is Excited to Power Svenska Spel’s Sportsbook

Kristian Nylén, Kambi’s co-founder and CEO, spoke about the strong position Svenska Spel holds within the regulated gambling market in Sweden. He said that the company is delighted to be selected as a long-term sportsbook provider of the leading operator. “As we continue to build commercial momentum and execute our long-term strategy, this partnership is a significant milestone for the business and will enable Kambi to further strengthen its position in one of our core markets,” revealed Nylén in conclusion.

“Svenska Spel is widely recognized as one of Sweden’s most prestigious brands and given Kambi’s strong Swedish roots, I am proud that we have been selected as the operator’s long-term sportsbook provider.“

Kristian Nylén, CEO and co-founder at Kambi

Back in 1997, Svenska Spel was founded after the merger of the leading Swedish operators, Svenska Penninglotteriet AB and AB Tipstjänst. Growing from strength to strength, the company is currently a major player in the regulated gambling market in the country. Svenska Spel has a strong presence within the retail sector with its 5,000 retail outlets but also continues to grow within the online gambling vertical.

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BetMGM, MGM Resorts International’s flagship online gambling brand, is finally making a foray into the lucrative UK market. The iGaming powerhouse has decided to announce its presence in the UK by inking a major sponsorship agreement with Newcastle United FC, a major soccer team.

Under the agreement, BetMGM will serve as the official club partner for the 2023/24 season. As a result, the operator’s brand will feature at St. James’ Park, the team’s home stadium.

BetMGM is a company that is firmly committed to maintaining high standards, as demonstrated by its multiple agreements with major teams and celebrities. The company currently offers one of the largest jackpots in the United Kingdom, currently at £15.4 million (approximately $18.7 million).

Kambi Group recently supported BetMGM’s launch in the UK by providing the brand with cutting-edge sports betting technology including the award-winning Bet Builder solution and AI-powered algorithmic trading functionalities.

BetMGM Is Proud to Be Newcastle United’s Partner

Peter Silverstone, Newcastle United’s chief commercial officer, expressed his team’s delight to have BetMGM as an official partner of the club. He said that the gambling operator already has a significant presence in the city of Newcastle since the company’s UK office is based there. As a result, BetMGM is familiar with the region, Newcastle United and the club’s fanbase, Silverstone pointed out. 

We are very pleased to be taking this step together and I’d like to welcome BetMGM to our growing family of partners.

Peter Silverstone, CCO, Newcastle United

Sam Behar, BetMGM’s UK director, also commented on the matter, praising Newcastle United’s “re-entry into the world’s elite.” Behar congratulated the team, praising its successes as a “golden moment” for the club and its passionate fans. 

Behar added that BetMGM is proud to be Newcastle United’s official club partner for the upcoming soccer season and is looking forward to working with the team.

With our launch in the UK, it is fantastic to have Newcastle United as part of our stable of Premier League partner clubs. The team’s ambition and drive perfectly align with our growth strategy and we can’t wait to get started.                                

Sam Behar, UK director, BetMGM   

BetMGM recently enhanced its sportsbook ahead of the upcoming National Football League season. Sports bettors will now have more opportunities to interact with games and win exciting prizes.

In other news, BetMGM just opened a new sportsbook in Cincinnati. The BetMGM Sportsbook at The Banks property is expected to add to the vibrancy of downtown Cincinnati, providing unforgettable betting experiences to local fans.

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The leading iGaming technology company delivering services and solutions to the iGaming vertical, Gaming Innovation Group (GiG), announced a new strategic senior-level appointment. On Friday, the company confirmed that its Board of Directors selected Jonas Warrer to serve as acting group CEO. GiG explained that the appointment is effective immediately.

Taking on the role of acting group CEO of GiG, Warrer will hold a dual role, considering he will continue to be the CEO of GiG’s Media division. He will continue to hold the dual role until the company finalizes the separation of its GiG Media and Platform and Sportsbook divisions.

The planned split was announced earlier this year, following a strategic review of GiG’s operations and growth plans. Ultimately, the company identified that splitting the business units would enable them to grow at a faster rate than under the current business structure.

Petter Nylander, GiG’s executive chairman, revealed that the company is delighted to see Warrer take on the new role of acting CEO. He explained that the latest appointment comes during a strategic moment of splitting GiG into two separate entities. Nylander spoke about the positive change this split will bring, including shareholder value. Finally, GiG’s executive chairman spoke about the extensive experience Warrer brings, highlighting his exceptional performance over the last few years with the company’s C-suite.

“We are very pleased to appoint Jonas as acting CEO through the process of splitting GiG into two distinct entities to enhance future expansion and drive shareholder value, in addition to his role as head of GiG Media.“

Petter Nylander, executive chairman of GiG

The Company Completed Multiple C-Level Changes Recently

The appointment of Warrer comes after earlier this month, GiG confirmed that Richard Brown stepped down from his role as CEO. At the time, the company revealed that he would move to a board advisory position. Brown will remain with that role through December 31, 2023, revealed GiG at the time.

Another recent important management-level appointment involved the company’s Platform and Sportsbook division. Back in August, GiG confirmed that Richard Carter was appointed to the role of CEO of its Platform and Sportsbook division, strengthening its leadership team.

Focusing once again on the latest appointment, Warrer first joined GiG back in 2017. This happened at a time when GiG acquired Rebel Penguin Aps, a company where he held the role of managing director and founder. Spearheading the expansion of GiG Media, Warrer held several important roles. Under his strategic guidance, the unit has seen strong growth and impressive development.

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The renowned betting and gaming brand with a strong presence within the gambling sector in the UK and Ireland, QuinnBet, announced a new multi-year agreement. Details regarding the latest collaboration emerged Thursday and saw the company become an official partner of the Northampton Town Football Club, the professional association soccer club competing for the EFL League One, based in Northampton, England.

Thanks to the new collaboration, QuinnBet will benefit from brand exposure via boards placed on the northeast and southeast corners of the Sixfields stadium. Moreover, the operator will benefit from exposure via boards placed in the TV arc at the stadium, helping increase brand awareness even further.

The collaboration with Northampton marks an important milestone for QuinnBet as it complements its ongoing growth. The company initially launched its services nearly a decade ago, back in August 2017. Since then, QuinnBet has been rapidly growing within the regulated gambling sector in Ireland, as well as the UK.

The company is currently licensed and regulated by the Government of Gibraltar, as well as the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner. Moreover, as noted, it has established its presence in Great Britain via licensing from the Gambling Commission. In Ireland, QuinnBet has established its operations under the Betting Amendment Act 2015.

Constantly growing its operations, QuinnBet remains dedicated to delivering unique gambling experiences for its customer base. The company offers an online casino platform as well as a sportsbook that are available for desktop and mobile devices. Now, thanks to the multi-year deal with Northampton, QuinnBet is expected to grow further its presence in the UK and Ireland, reaching new customers.

The Deal Brings Excitement to QuinnBet, Northampton

Niall McPartland, QuinnBet’s head of commercial and sponsorships, revealed that the company is excited to sign this new advertising collaboration with the famous soccer team. He spoke about the club’s extensive history in soccer, highlighting iconic wins for the team. “Like the Cobblers, QuinnBet operates in an industry dominated by large competitors, but that doesn’t detract from our ambitions to strive for the top,” added McPartland.

“We are delighted to commence this 3-year advertising partnership with Northampton Town FC, it has been a pleasure working with their commercial team.“

Niall McPartland, head of commercial and sponsorship at QuinnBet

The company’s head of commercial and sponsorship added that QuinnBet remains dedicated to improving its casino and sports betting offering and delivering unrivaled experiences. At the same time, McPartland said that the operator adheres to responsible gambling. Finally, he said: “Football is hugely popular with QuinnBet customers, and we are proud to support the game and clubs like Northampton Town FC through our sponsorships. We wish everyone at the club every success for the season ahead and beyond.”

Caroline Lucy, Northampton’s commercial director, shared the excitement of McPartland. She said that the club is delighted to add QuinnBet to its growing list of partners. Finally, Lucy predicted that the collaboration would bring success to the duo.

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The leading MGA-licensed esports-first iGaming business-to-customer (B2C) operator, Esports Entertainment Group (EEG), confirmed it strengthened its senior-level management team with a new promotion. The company has announced it selected Michael Villani for the permanent role of chief financial officer (CFO). The latest promotion, EEG confirmed, is effective as of August 29, 2023.

Villani’s career with EEG started back in 2021. Before joining EEG, he was a part of globally recognized companies where he was able to accumulate significant experience, unique knowledge and skills. A graduate of Pace University, magna cum laude, Villani is also a CPA.

Prior to joining the C-suite at EEG, he held multiple important roles with KPMG, the global network of professional firms offering tax, audit and advisory services. During this tenure with the company, Villani held important roles as director of the deal advisory practice. At the time, he oversaw important buy and sell transactions, along with technical accounting and SEC reporting, among other processes.

Overall, Villani was a part of KPMG for nearly two decades. For nine years he led the Deal Advisory practice, while for nine years he was also a part of the audit practice. Throughout Villani’s extensive experience, he was also a CFO for a Geneva-based hedge fund, among other important C-suite roles with public companies.

The Company Is Delighted to Continue Its Collaboration with Villani

As noted, Villani first joined EEG back in February 2021. At the time, he was appointed to the role of financial controller. Then, in January this year, he was selected as the interim CFO of the company. In addition to CFO, Villani holds another role as he is also EEG’s principal financial officer.

“We are pleased to formally appoint Michael as our Chief Financial Officer after serving as our Interim Chief Financial Officer since early January, as well as holding other key financial roles since becoming part of the Esports Entertainment team in 2021.“

Alex Igelman, CEO of EEG

Alex Igelman, EEG’s CEO, said that the company is thrilled to promote Villani to the permanent CFO role. He praised his effort as interim CFO since January and explained that Villani has played a pivotal role for the company since 2021.

Igelman spoke about Villani’s skills, including financial knowledge and leadership, that proved to be crucial for his exceptional performance within the financial vertical. Finally, EEG’s CEO said that Villani is an exceptional member of the company’s C-suite and that EEG will be delighted to collaborate with him further.

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The Norwegian government-owned gambling company, Norsk Tipping, announced it has started the process of appointing a new chief executive officer (CEO). The company confirmed Monday that starting from September 1, 2023, Tonje Sagstuen will take over the role of acting CEO, until a permanent appointment is announced.

Sagstuen is a famous handball player from Norway, as well as an Olympic medalist. Most notably, she received silver medals during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Throughout her extensive sports career, Sagstuen has participated in more than 210 games for the country’s national team.

Since 2014, Sagstuen has been a part of Norsk Tipping. She currently holds a director role with a focus on social responsibility, society and other community initiatives. This new appointment comes on the heels of the announced departure of the company’s outgoing CEO, Lars Buer Eriksen. Judging by the latest announcement, he will leave Norsk Tipping, effective from August 31, 2023.

Although Eriksen held the role of CEO for less than a year, he played an important role in the development of different social initiatives, as well as gambling policies. He joined Norsk Tipping back in September last year, after its CEO at the time, Åsne Havenelid, decided to step down due to personal reasons.

Upon announcing his departure, Eriksen said: “In one year, I have become very happy with Norsk Tipping’s social mission and our employees. Overseeing a strong and future-oriented Norwegian railways is exciting and something I have chosen to accept.”

The Government-Owned Gambling Operator Seeks New CEO

Sylvia Brustad, Norsk’s chairman, explained that Norsk has already started the process for the replacement of Eriksen. She explained that an extensive search will take place to ensure that the company finds the best manager that can help it continue growing. Finally, Brustad thanked Sagstuen for agreeing to take the role of acting CEO until a permanent management director is appointed.

“I am happy that Tonje has agreed to lead the company until a new managing director can take over.“

Sylvia Brustad, chairman of Norsk Tipping AS

Earlier this year, the government-owned gambling operator revealed that it implemented a new safer gambling policy. Back in June, Norsk said that it overhauled the loss limits for young adults, aged 20 and less. Thanks to this policy, a cap for the maximum loss limit for those age groups was set at NOK 2,000 ($181).

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