Latest News
Gaming Innovation Group: The Nomination Committee’s proposal for election of Board members 2024
Gaming Innovation Group Inc. (“GiG”) advances according to plan with its strategic split of its Media and Platform businesses by distributing GiG Platform to its shareholders. As part of this process, the nomination committee of GiG (the “Nomination Committee”) has reviewed and evaluated two separate board compositions with the aim to optimise the growth opportunities for each business entity.
GiG Media will continue to operate under GiG’s current corporate structure, with GiG serving as its listed holding company. GiG Platform, currently operated as a subsidiary of GiG, will be spun off to GiG’s shareholders later this year. The board of GiG Platform will not be elected during GiG’s annual general meeting but will be elected separately during the relevant subsidiary’s annual general meeting. The majority of GiG’s current board members will be elected to the initial board of GiG Platform, with the exception of Karolina Pelc, who has declined re-election due to other commitments. The board of directors for GiG Platform will thus include Petter Nylander as chairman, along with Nicolas Adlercreutz, Mikael Riese Harstad, Hesam Yazdi, Tomasz Juroszek and Steve Salmon as ordinary board members.
The Nomination Committee’s proposal
For GiG, and thereby the continued operation of GiG Media, the Nomination Committee has decided to propose that GiG’s Annual General Meeting 2024 approves the following proposals regarding the number of board members and election of board members.
The Nomination Committee proposes that the number of members of the Board of Directors of GiG shall be five. For the period until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the nomination committee proposes that:
Mikael Riese Harstad and Hesam Yazdi are to be re-elected as members of the board.
The following new board members shall be elected to join the board:
Cristina Romero de Alba,
Mateusz Juroszek and
Nicholas Batram.
Mikael Riese Harstad is to be elected as the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Cristina Romero de Alba has a versatile background in finance and law, serving as a partner at LOYRA. She leads one of the most prominent M&A and regulatory practices in the gambling and betting industry, with a particular emphasis on the Americas. Over her 12 years of industry experience, she has provided counsel to institutional and strategic investors, operators and suppliers across more than 30 countries. Additionally, she holds positions as a board member at the ICRG (International Center for Responsible Gaming) in the US and at OMNIGAME in Denmark. Furthermore, she actively supports ALANTRA, a listed financial services group, in their Latin American strategy within asset management. Cristina anticipates contributing to the growth of GiG’s business in the promising LATAM region. She is a Spanish citizen born in 1981 and does not hold any shares in GiG.
Mateusz Juroszek has 20 years of involvement in the gambling sector, primarily as the CEO of Poland’s largest bookmaker, STS, from 2012 to 2023. He has also served as an investor in various gambling ventures worldwide. During his tenure, STS witnessed revenue growth and ascended to become Poland’s leading bookmaker, propelled by innovative sports betting and technological solutions. Notably, he transitioned STS from a retail-oriented model to an online platform, with a specific focus on mobile integration. In 2021, he successfully oversaw STS Group’s IPO on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, achieving an €850 million capitalization. Subsequently, in 2023, Juroszek facilitated the sale of a majority stake in STS Group, integrating it into the Entain Group through the Entain CEE vehicle, a joint venture of the London-listed Entain Group, EMMA Capital, and the Juroszek family (~10%). This transaction valued STS Group at €880 million. Juroszek also holds a position on the board of directors at STS. Furthermore, he has founded Betplay Capital, one of the largest investment funds in the iGaming sector, managing approximately EUR 650 million. Juroszek, a graduate of the Faculty of Strategic Management at Kozminski University in Warsaw, is a Polish citizen born in 1987. He indirectly holds 19,424,518 shares in GiG through his own and family-owned companies.
Nicholas (Nick) Batram recently established his consulting business after serving as Group Director of M&A and Corporate Development at Entain plc, a leading gaming company and a constituent of the FTSE100. During his eight-year tenure at Entain, Batram played a pivotal role in the group’s expansion and geographic diversification, overseeing over 20 transactions totalling approximately $10 billion across various regions. Before joining Entain, he accrued around 30 years of experience in the finance industry, specializing in Leisure & Gaming. His expertise was recognized when he was voted the No.1 Leisure & Gaming analyst in the Extel Survey as voted for by corporates. Batram, a citizen of the United Kingdom born in 1968, does not hold any shares in GiG.
The Annual General Meeting will be held on May 22, 2024, in Stockholm, Sweden. The Nomination Committee’s full proposals and motivated statement will be released in connection with publication of the notice of the Annual General Meeting.
Latest News
GR8 Tech Closes the Year at SiGMA Europe 2024 with Industry Success
SiGMA Europe 2024 closed the year with a bang, and GR8 Tech seized the spotlight, leaving a lasting impression on industry leaders and professionals. The event proved pivotal for GR8 Tech, with nearly 300 meetings showcasing robust interest in its offerings. Of these, 15 discussions are already progressing toward long-term agreements, laying the groundwork for expanded partnerships and future business launches. The event highlighted the demand for customizable iGaming solutions and GR8 Tech’s impactful presence at the year’s grand finale.
Kiril Nestorovski, Sales Director at GR8 Tech: “What’s really grabbed attention in SiGMA Europe is our openness to discuss and be flexible, but what truly surprises people is the quality of our products. I’ve had clients react with phrases like, “Can I touch the screen to see if it’s real?” when they saw our demos. That kind of response speaks volumes about the impact our products have, especially in the sportsbook area.”
Sharing Expertise: Panel Discussion Takeaways
At the “Trends and Predictions for 2025” panel, GR8 Tech CEO Evgen Belousov and other industry leaders shared insights into esports and sportsbooks’ future, spotlighting AI-driven personalization, opinion-based betting, and esports as key disruptors.
The panelists drew a fascinating parallel between sportsbooks and streaming platforms. As competition intensifies, operators are now juggling multiple feed suppliers to deliver exclusive, tailored content. Much like streaming services fighting for exclusive rights, sportsbooks are investing in diverse and unique betting experiences to stand out. Diversification is now becoming essential for staying relevant in the market.
Belousov explored how sportsbooks are evolving from casino add-ons to profitable standalone ventures, redefining their role within the iGaming ecosystem. The panel underscored AI’s transformative impact on player acquisition, gamification, CRM, and risk management – all the areas where GR8 Tech leads the way with practical innovations aimed at increasing operators’ profitability.
Opinion-based betting – wagering on elections or entertainment outcomes – emerged as a rising trend, appealing to younger, tech-savvy players seeking interactive experiences. Esports also increased its role as a game-changer, with younger generations gravitating toward familiar titles like Dota 2 and Counter-Strike over traditional sports.
Focus for 2025: Driving Innovation
Yevhen Krazhan, CBDO at GR8 Tech: “As we wrap up 2024, I’m proud to say that GR8 Tech has exceeded expectations, performing at 150% of our initial goals. The demand and interest in our solutions have been overwhelming, and we’re excited to see how the trends of reactivation and investment growth continue into 2025. With strong momentum from events like SiGMA and the upcoming ICE, we are poised for another successful year. Our strategic focus remains clear – leading the charge as a global sportsbook platform. We’re ready for what lies ahead, and we’re confident that 2025 will be another great year for GR8 Tech.”
As the year comes to a close, the partnerships forged at SiGMA Europe 2024 have paved the way for GR8 Tech’s next major event: ICE 2025. Building on this year’s success, GR8 Tech will showcase its cutting-edge solutions and push iGaming boundaries, solidifying its industry leadership. Stay tuned for exciting developments and join us at ICE 2025!
Australia
Secretlab partners with Fluent Commerce for Order Management
Africa
Aviatrix and Hollywoodbets ready for take-off in South Africa
The award-winning crash game Aviatrix is arriving in South Africa for the first time, exclusively with leading betting operator Hollywoodbets.
Hollywoodbets players will enjoy exclusive access to a range of daily tournaments and promotions, making their Aviatrix adventure even more thrilling. Anastasia Rimskaya, Chief Account Officer at Aviatrix, said: “Bringing Aviatrix to South Africa exclusively with Hollywoodbets is an exciting milestone for us. We’re excited to offer South African players a unique experience where they can build, customise, and pilot their own planes while competing for rewards. With Hollywoodbets, we’re confident Aviatrix will soar to new heights in this vibrant market.”
Wayde Dorkin, Head of Product at Hollywoodbets, said: “Everyone at Hollywoodbets is ready for take-off with Aviatrix. Players will be able to exclusively enjoy the game in South Africa, building their own planes, soaring through the skies and earning incredible rewards along the way. Aviatrix delivers an unmatched gaming experience that will keep players on the edge of their seats!”
Aviatrix was recently named ‘Game of the Year’ at the EGR Operator Awards 2024.
The title is constantly updated with new features and functionality, such as the ability to claim free bets with promo codes within the game.
-
Asia6 days ago
Hong Kong Construction Titan Turned Macau Casino Boss Lui Che-Woo Dies Aged 95
-
eSports7 days ago
Intel commits to developing young talent in universities from the UK and Ireland through UNIVERSITY Esports
-
Asia6 days ago
Making Indian Presence Felt: Natural8 India gears up to take a contingent of nine winners of its latest India Exclusive to Asian Poker Tour (APT) Phu Quoc!
-
Conferences in Europe5 days ago
The iGaming Conference Boom: A Catalyst for Industry Growth or Event Overload?
-
Asia7 days ago
Gujarat Titans’ Inaugural “Titans Rising” BGMI Tournament Crowns Champion, Sets Stage for Future Esports Initiatives
-
Asia6 days ago
Nazara integrates with ONDC Network to Launch “gCommerce” in India, Unlocking a new era of In-Game Monetization
-
eSports7 days ago
Th3Antonio announces retirement as a professional esports player
-
Latest News6 days ago
UK Gambling Commission Launches Gambling Harms Action Lab