People news 20 August 2015
The latest people news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (14 August to 20 August 2015)
Ex-partypoker chief Jeffrey Haas joins DraftKings
Daily fantasy sports operator plots international expansion after being awarded licence by the GB regulator
Former group director of poker at bwin.party Jeffrey Haas has joined daily fantasy sports operator (DFS) DraftKings to oversee the operator’s imminent launch in the UK and other international markets in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Haas joins the Boston-headquartered firm as chief international officer and will be based out of the firm’s new London office when it is ready later this year.
He will oversee the recruitment of more than 20 new positions at the office including in CRM, communications, analytics, compliance, business development and corporate partnerships.
His appointment comes after the DFS firm announced it obtained an operating licence from Great Britain’s gambling regulator, and CEO Jason Robins said launching in the UK was a “milestone moment” for the growth of his frim.
Gala Coral hires new mobile head
Gala Coral has appointed bwin.party’s former head of product David Fuke as its new head of mobile and web following the recent departure of Robert Fell.
Fell left Gala Coral earlier this summer to pursue opportunities outside of the gaming industry after 18 months at the firm, more recently as the operator’s head of mobile and web, having joined from Paddy Power in early 2014.
His replacement Fuke joins Gala Coral following a six-year stint at bwin.party, where he had been responsible for the operator’s product line across its combined casino, games and bingo division.
Seven days in people news:
Former Mr Green boss to lead LeoVegas expansion drive
LeoVegas is poised to begin a transformational expansion drive targeting entry into four new markets by the end of the year, as it looks to strengthen its position in regulated European territories as well as in markets further afield.
The move into new territories is being led by former Mr Green CEO Marcus Nylén, who joined the mobile casino firm in June as a board member and head of expansion.
LeoVegas will enter four new markets before the end of 2015, and continue at at least that pace during the course of next year.
Michal Hanák rejoins Fortuna as chief sportsbook officer
Fortuna Entertainment Group has named Michal Hanák as its chief sportsbook officer to replace the outgoing Ondřej VÃÂch, amid a number of senior departures from the operator.
Hanák joins the Eastern European powerhouse from Slovakian sports betting operator Niké, where he held the role of director of strategy for two years, having previously worked for Fortuna between 2006 and 2012.
“I am very glad that I can welcome Michal Hanák to our team,” Per Widerstrom, CEO of Fortuna Entertainment Group, said.
Leonard Judkins has re-joined BetVictor in a new role of head of CRM and real time marketing after previously leaving the operator last July to join lottery operator Lottoland.
Judkins, who originally joined BetVictor in May 2013, moved to Lottoland in order to take up the role of senior CRM manager from 1 August 2014.
“Having met with the new CEO Andreas Meinrad I was enthused by his vision for the new Marketing structure and strategy within the company.
I didn’t have to think twice about taking up this exciting new post with our mission to provide a real-time flow of topical and innovative betting opportunities across all communication channels that best fit each individual’s behaviour and preference.