Yariv Dafna is set to succeed Aviad Kobrine as CFO of 888 Holdings.

Kobrine announced his intention to step down back in January, after serving as CFO for over 15 years. Dafna will take up his role as CFO, and be appointed to the board, on 1 November.

From November 2017 until September 2020, Dafna served as finance director and president of Telit Communications, and was previously group CFO and COO at the company. Prior to that, he was a finance manager at Dai Telecom, and an audit manager at Deloitte Israel. 

Commenting on the appointment 888 CEO, Itai Pazner, said:

“I am looking forward to working closely with Yariv as we continue to focus on delivering 888’s long-term growth strategy. I would also like to extend my personal gratitude to Aviad for his support and friendship over the years.”

While Dafna added:

“I am excited to be joining such a fantastic business at a pivotal time in its development. I am looking forward to helping the business continue to deliver against its strategic objectives and create value for all stakeholders.”

For the period from 1 January to 23 June 2020, 888 Holdings reported 34% year-on-year revenue growth.

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Modern Times Group (MTG) has appointed a new President and CEO, and a new CFO. 

The Swedish group, which owns both ESL and DreamHack, has promoted current Group Chief Financial Officer, Maria Redin, to Group President and CEO, effective immediately. Taking over her former role as CFO will be Lars Torstensson. 

Redin has been with MTG since 2004, has held several financial leadership positions, and been a member of the Group Executive Management team since 2015. She was also CEO of its now defunct Bet24. 

Torstensson, who has been with MTG since 2019, currently serves as EVP, Communications & Investor Relations, and will retain that role in addition to taking over as CFO. Before joining the Group he held senior management positions with Sweco AB and Tele2 AB. 

Commenting on her promotion, Redin said:

“I am both humbled and proud to take on this new role and lead MTG at a time of both challenges and great opportunities. The company has a strong legacy of innovation and transformation, with many talented people and world class portfolio companies. We are uniquely positioned to deliver on our mission to become the home of esports and gaming entertainment.”

While Chairman of MTG’s Board of Directors, David Chance, added:

“I would like to congratulate Maria on her appointment as Group President and CEO of MTG. She has proven herself over many years at MTG to be a strong and inspirational manager. 

“She knows our business extremely well and, although the Board considered a number of excellent external candidates for the role, her background and skillset were felt to be an excellent fit against the criteria and requirements that the Board considered in making its decision. 

“She is highly respected by her colleagues in our portfolio companies and the continuity she provides will allow MTG to continue to build and strengthen our gaming and esports businesses.”

Former MTG President and CEO, Jørgen Madsen Lindemann, announced he was resigning just over a month ago, after almost 8 years at the top, and 26 years with the company. Lindemann, will however, remain as an advisor to the company into 2021. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Things are tough for MTG right now, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic causing significant issues for ESL and Dreamhack, which have had to pretty much abandon in-person esports events and pivot to an entirely online business model. Considering this, it’s going to be a big relief for everyone at MTG that a replacement for Lindemann was found so quickly – especially as it’s someone who already knows the business inside out, and can hit the ground running. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Basketball legend Michael Jordan is becoming a special advisor to DraftKings’ board of directors. 

In return for providing guidance and strategic advice, Jordan is reported to be taking an equity interest in the fantasy and sports betting operator. Specifically, Jordan will be advising in the areas of product development, diversity, equity and belonging, and marketing. 

Commenting on the news DraftKings co-founder and CEO, Jason Robins, said:

“Michael Jordan is among the most important figures in sports and culture, who forever redefined the modern athlete and entrepreneur. The strategic counsel and business acumen Michael brings to our board is invaluable, and I am excited to have him join our team.”

Michael Jordan is a NBA Hall of Fame inductee, six-time NBA Finals MVP, and Chairman of Hornets Sports & Entertainment. 

Draftkings has not disclosed the value of Jordan’s equity interest in the company. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Michael Jordan has consistently proved himself a shrewd investor, so this bodes well for DraftKings! In late 2018, Jordan joined other investors in aXiomatic’s C funding round, which raised $26M. aXiomatic is the parent company of North American esports organisation Team Liquid. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

West Indies cricket star Dwayne Bravo has been announced as brand ambassador for the SBOTOP sportsbook. 

SBOTOP, which is operated by Isle of Man-based betting group Celton Manx, is aiming to raise its global profile through the deal with one of Caribbean cricket’s iconic players. 

Bravo’s impressive career spans 256 test caps and 120 one-day-internationals, and he’s widely regarded as one of cricket’s best ever “all-rounders.” In 2016, while playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) he even topped the Indian pop music chart with his debut single “Champion.” 

Commenting on the partnership SBOTOP Executive Director, Bill Mummery, said:

“We are delighted to enter into a partnership with Dwayne Bravo, a Global athlete who is in a class of his own with an enormous fan base. With Bravo on board, we are in a position to work towards our goals as we look to expand our reach into the global market. These are the exciting times for us and we are delighted to be working with Dwayne to achieve our goal.”

While Bravo himself added:

“It’s always a pleasure to partner with global brands and this time the feeling is no different. I’m looking forward to working with SBOTOP and I’m excited to see what the future has in store for this team.”

AYO.NEWS says:

Celton Manx is really pushing its SBOTOP brand this summer – last month having announced a record-breaking multi-year deal with English Premier League football club Leeds United. 

We can’t help but think they should maybe spend a bit of money on a new website for SBOTOP though – unless they are going for the retro early 2000s look. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Esports Entertainment Group (EEG), operator of the VIE.gg betting platform, has appointed Warwick Bartlett as an independent director. 

A gambling industry veteran, Bartlett was chairman of the Association of British Bookmakers for a decade, chairman of the Bookmakers Committee to the Levy Board for six years, and held a seat on the Horserace betting Levy Board for the same period. 

He is also CEO and owner of specialist international gambling consultancy Global Betting & Gaming Consultants (GBGC), which has worked with or supplied information to more than 600 clients, the majority of whom are blue chip. 

Regarding his appointment Bartlett said:

“I am delighted to Join Esports Entertainment Group’s Board as a non-executive director, and I look forward to working with Grant and his accomplished team. There are some wonderful opportunities in esports gaming, such as the company’s recent acquisition of Argyll Entertainment, which provides Esports Entertainment Group with immediate revenue and the foundation for accelerated growth.” 

While CEO of EEG, Grant Johnson, added:

“Warwick has been instrumental in several major developments in the gambling and iGaming space, and we’re excited to have him on the team. He’s a strong addition to the board as an independent director, and I believe his experience will resonate with the institutional investor community. 

“We have laid the foundation for long-term success with the world’s most transparent esports betting platform. With a strong team, industry-leading partnerships, and significant competitive advantages, Esports Entertainment Group is well positioned for rapid growth in the months ahead.”

EEG CFO Dan Marks has also been appointed to the company’s board. 

Staying with EEG, last week the company announced a partnership with esports odds feed and risk management provider Oddin, while earlier in August, VIE.gg extended its partnership with North American esports organisation Dignitas. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Five new members will be inducted to the Sports Betting Hall of Fame at next week’s SBC Summit Barcelona – Digital. 

Despite the event moving online because of the COVID pandemic, SBC has decided to go ahead with the Hall of Fame ceremony and switch it to a virtual format, in order to pay tribute to some of the most influential people in the industry’s history.

The five new members are:

• Ralph Topping – former William Hill CEO
• Victor Chandler – BetVictor founder
• Bill Mummery – pioneer in online betting & Asian market
• Giovanni Garrisi – StanleyBet CEO
• Juan B. Pérez Hidalgo – President of Coljuegos

The virtual ceremony will include interviews with the new members, as they share some insights into their success and thoughts about the current state of the sports betting industry with the thousands of delegates watching. 

Ralph Topping commented: “Growing up in the industry it was a privilege to meet and observe a lot of the people who have appeared in the Hall of Fame, so I’m very humbly accepting the kind offer to join them. I think it’s a good thing for the sector that there is such a thing as the Sports Betting Hall of Fame.”

Victor Chandler said: “I am delighted to have been invited to join the Sports Betting Hall of Fame alongside so many other illustrious members of the industry.  As a fourth generation bookmaker, it is an industry that is in my blood and has given me so many adventures, both good and bad.  I would like to convey my thanks at being recognised in this way.”

Bill Mummery, Executive Director of Celton Manx, added: “I’m delighted. After a very long career this really is a high point. Thank you very much for the recognition.”

SBC Managing Director Andrew McCarron commented:

“Once again we have a fantastic line-up for the Sports Betting Hall of Fame, all of whom made a significant impact on how the industry has developed over the last few decades. 

“In an ideal world we would be honouring these new members in person, as we did at last year’s emotional event at the Natural History Museum, however our cutting edge digital event platform will at least allow us to mark the occasion.”

SBC launched the Sports Betting Hall of Fame in 2016, in order to honour, preserve and perpetuate the names and outstanding accomplishments of personalities who have brought lasting success to the industry. The original inductees were Carsten Koerl (CEO, Sportradar), Mark Blandford (Founder, Sportingbet) and Howard Chisholm (Director, Bookmakers Technology Consortium). 

They have since been joined by Paris Smith (CEO, Pinnacle), Fred Done (Founder, Betfred), Vigen Badalyan (Founder & CEO, BetConstruct), Norbert Teufelberger (Co-Founder, Bwin), Pontus Lindwall (CEO, Betsson), Warwick Bartlett (CEO, GBGC), Constantinos Antonopoulos (Vice-Chairman, Intralot), Fabio Schiavolin (CEO, Snaitech), Denise Coates (Founder & CEO, bet365), John Boyle (Founder & Chairman, BoyleSports), John Anderson (Former CEO, 888 Holdings), Armin Sageder (Founder, paysafecard & BGT), Richard Flint (Former CEO, Sky Betting & Gaming) and Jukka Honkavaara (Punter who placed the first ever online sports bet).

The US chapter of the Sports Betting Hall of Fame also welcomed five new members earlier this year: 

• Victor Salerno – President, USBookmaking & US Fantasy Sports
• Raymond Lesniak – Former Senator New Jersey
• Roxy Roxborough – Legendary Las Vegas Oddsmaker
• Sara Slane – Former Sr. VP, American Gaming Association 
• Jay Rood – COO, Bet.Works

The Class of 2020 joined Art Manteris (VP Race and Sports Book Operations, Station Casinos) Dennis Drazan (CEO, Monmouth Park) and Chris Christie (former NJ Governor) as members of the Hall of Fame from the US industry.

All delegates at SBC Summit Barcelona – Digital, which takes place on 8 – 11 September 2020, will be able to find out more about the Hall of Fame and watch interviews with some of the latest intake.

Click here to register for your free pass for the virtual conference and exhibition for the global betting & gaming industry.