Industry News
iGB releases Most Influential Women 2019 list
iGaming Business has today revealed the results of its Most Influential Women 2019 list, with publication in issue 119 of iGaming Business and on igamingbusiness.com.
The publishing division of ICE London organiser Clarion Gaming introduced the list in 2018 to try to redress the gender imbalance that exists at the highest levels of the gaming industry.
It aims to showcase the industry’s most accomplished women and inspire others to progress their careers within the industry.
“iGaming, like many other industries, has significantly fewer women than men at the top levels of business and a persisting gender pay gap. However, there are a growing number of women occupying extremely important roles within our industry,” said Stephen Carter, editorial director of iGaming Business.
“This year’s list features women who have played key roles in transformations within their organisations, women who’ve been champions of diversity and women who’ve raised the profile of the entire sector itself.”
Ewa Bakun, director of industry insight and engagement at Clarion Gaming and a member of the judging panel, added:
“We have seen the topic of diversity and inclusion evolve over the last few years from a truly niche one to the mainstream and every major organisation in the gambling sector, which is still male-dominated if we look at the board levels, understands now that it’s as much a commercial imperative as it is a moral one.
“True role models for other aspiring female managers and executives, like those on iGB’s Most Influential Women list, are key and we’re hoping that their success will help many other talents from underrepresented groups develop their careers and genuinely feel that the gambling industry can be a welcoming environment offering professional growth.”
In alphabetical order, the 2019 list features:
- Melissa Blau, director, iGaming Capital
- Britt Boeskov, chief experience officer, Kindred
- Shannon DeHaven, deputy director of digital operations, Michigan Lottery
- Therese Hillman, CEO, NetEnt
- Lee-Ann Johnstone, founder, Affiliate Insider
- Mandy Ross, CIO, Tabcorp
- Anna Sainsbury, founder and chair, GeoComply
- Jamie Shea, head of sportsbook digital, DraftKings
- Karen Sierra-Hughes, director, Latin America and Caribbean government relations and business development, Gaming Laboratories International
- Micky Swindale, CEO, KPMG Islands Group
Due to an increase in both the quantity and quality of nominees this year, the judges also listed five runners-up. These were Maris Bonello, head of responsible gaming and research at Kindred;
Ellen Monaghan, director of people operations at Gambling.com; Cristina Niculae, group chief strategy officer at Gaming Innovation Group; Fiona Palmer, CEO at Gamstop; and Oksana Yanyshyn, head of product at Pragmatic Play.
About the list
The list was compiled from nominations received by a survey conducted on SurveyMonkey between July 22 and September 10. The survey was promoted to those working within gaming or related sectors.
The entries received were then assessed by a panel of judges chosen from across the industry. The judges were Ewa Bakun, director of industry insight and engagement at Clarion Gaming; Andrew Bulloss, partner at Odgers Berndtson; Kelly Kehn and Christina Thakor-Rankin, co-founders of All-in Diversity Project; Suzi Read, head of talent development at Kindred; Holly Straker, inclusion, engagement and events executive at Sky Betting and Gaming; and Helen Walton, founder and CCO of Gamevy and Gluck.
Industry News
LiveScore Group Announces Internal Restructuring as Part of Sustainable Growth Strategy
LiveScore Group has announced an internal restructuring process, expected to impact more than 100 existing roles across multiple business locations, including London.
The changes are seen as a difficult yet important step for LiveScore Group, streamlining the business to create improved structures and a pathway to long-term sustainable growth. All impacted employees have been informed and are now subject to a confidential consultation process.
Sam Sadi, CEO of LiveScore Group, said: “On behalf of all Directors of LiveScore Group, and the relevant subsidiary companies, we are saddened by the difficult decision to commence an internal restructure of the business, a process which impacts a significant number of our people.
“Whilst we celebrate our recent period of significant and exciting growth, we must now future-proof the organisation and ensure our internal structures allow us to achieve long-term and sustainable success.
“This is a hard time for all our people, as we say goodbye to colleagues who have played an important role in our journey across recent years.”
The announcement follows on from the recent news that LiveScore Malta Limited (part of LiveScore Group) is to withdraw its LiveScore Bet brand from the Netherlands following recent government tax increases in the market. The announcement includes those impacted by this. There will be no other customer impact in respect of any of the remaining LiveScore, LiveScore Bet or Virgin Bet sites globally.
Industry News
Pronet Gaming Appoints Alex Karaoulis as its New Commercial & Product Strategy Lead
Pronet Gaming, an award-winning platform provider of full turnkey solutions, announced the appointment of Alexandros Karaoulis as its new Commercial & Product Strategy Lead.
With over 14 years of experience in the iGaming industry, Karaoulis brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will be instrumental in driving the company’s strategic initiatives forward.
Throughout his iGaming career, Karaoulis has held various senior roles with B2B sportsbook and casino providers, as well as with B2C operators. His extensive background in marketing and sales within the iGaming sector positions him as a true industry expert, ensuring that Pronet Gaming remains at the forefront of innovation in a rapidly evolving market.
“I am thrilled to join Pronet Gaming and excited to fulfill my role in developing and executing sales strategies to drive the company’s revenue growth in key markets,” Karaoulis said.
With a track record in commercial strategies and driving product excellence, Karaoulis’ appointment is invaluable as Pronet Gaming now seeks to expand its footprint to Asia. His vision and deep understanding of the iGaming landscape equip him to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities that the dynamic region presents.
“I want Pronet Gaming to lead the iGaming revolution by providing innovative, culturally tailored solutions that cater to the diverse and rapidly growing demands of the region. Through strategic partnerships, cutting-edge technology, and a deep understanding of local markets, we aim to empower operators to offer world-class gaming experiences that engage players and drive sustainable growth,” he added.
According to Karaoulis, Pronet Gaming is poised to make a splash in Asia by leveraging its advanced technology, flexible platform solutions and deep market expertise while adapting to the unique characteristics of the region.
“The key differentiation point of Pronet Gaming is that we have B2C experience, which greatly aids in understanding the needs of operators and helping them to improve and execute their strategy according to the market. I have worked in B2C roles for more than seven years in my iGaming Career and managed campaigns across various channels, optimised conversion funnels, and learned to use data to improve player acquisition and retention,” said Karaoulis.
Karaoulis acknowledges that the marketing skills he has acquired from B2C experience are valuable in every B2B environment. As he dives into his new role at Pronet Gaming, Karaoulis aims to guide his operator clients on how to better market their own sites, including providing them with advice on effective acquisition strategies, content marketing and campaign structures that appeal to iGaming audiences.
“I also focus heavily on engagement strategies, loyalty programs, bonuses, and personalised offers to keep players active and returning. In my new B2B role, I will advise clients on best practices for player engagement, helping them adopt effective loyalty programs, personalised marketing, and retention tactics that drive player lifetime value to improve the end-player experience for our clients’ sites,” Karaoulis added.
Industry News
Vbet Wins Best Online Casino Operator 2024 at SiGMA Europe 2024
Vbet has been crowned the Best Online Casino Operator 2024 at the highly coveted SiGMA Europe event, cementing its position as a leader in the online gaming industry.
This achievement highlights Vbet’s commitment to providing an exceptional user experience by combining cutting-edge technology with a vast range of options and a secure process. The dedication to creating a responsible, enjoyable environment for players was recognised with this award, making this accolade even more significant. As Vbet continue to expand into new markets, the list of strategic partnerships grows alongside our constant drive to expand its offering. This award serves as a stepping stone on its path to reach more players and set new standards in the industry.
Arman Khachatryan, VBET’s Managing Director, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive the Best Online Casino Operator award at SiGMA Europe 2024. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, passion, and effort of our entire team. Our mission has always been to deliver the highest quality experience in the safest environment possible to our users. This award not only recognizes our dedication to this mission but also motivates us to continue expanding into new markets and territories.”
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