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Sam Sadi

CEO
LiveScore Group

Sam Sadi is a seasoned executive with an extensive 25-year career, primarily in leadership roles within the betting and sports media industries. As the current CEO of LiveScore Group since 2019 he has played a pivotal role in the company's impressive growth, shaping its convergence strategy to connect sports media and betting seamlessly.

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

Sadi's journey is marked by pioneering endeavours, beginning with founding one of the world's first online sportsbooks in 1998. His innovative approach and strategic vision have significantly contributed to LiveScore Group's success, breaking industry revenue growth records. 

 

EMPLOYMENT

In 1998 Sadi embarked on his journey in the world of sports media and betting, founding one of the world's first online sportsbooks, Beteurope.com. This marked the genesis of a career defined by innovation and foresight. 

Born in Turkey, Sadi's passion for sports coupled with a strong inclination toward mathematics laid the foundation for his fascination with sports betting. As the internet emerged, he seized the opportunity, establishing one of the pioneering platforms of the online sports betting landscape. 

The twists and turns of Sadi's career extended beyond the realm of sports betting, with early leadership roles materialising during his involvement in school politics. However, a leadership position awaited him upon his return to Turkey in 1996.  

Tasked with revitalising his family's struggling textile business, Sadi confronted challenges that would become instrumental in shaping his leadership philosophy – personal engagement, transparency and honesty. 

Over the years, Sadi's leadership roles evolved. From a hands-on approach where he personally executed ideas, to a more strategic role defining vision and culture, this evolution marked a significant shift. He emphasised the importance of surrounding oneself with individuals who share the vision and strategy, underscoring that effective leadership involves amplifying skills through collaboration. 

Sadi's career trajectory reached new heights in 2003 when he assumed the role of Head of Product Management at Bwin.party digital entertainment. His expertise in product management played a crucial role in shaping the company's offerings and customer experience.

Sadi's extensive experience led him to become the Owner and CEO of Business Channel from January 2006 to December 2008. His multifaceted role involved overseeing operations and implementing strategic initiatives to drive business growth. 

The journey continued with Sadi serving as Owner of Sport One Online Gambling Consultancy from January 2008 to June 2012. In this role he applied his industry knowledge to provide consultancy services, guiding businesses in navigating the complexities of the online gambling landscape. 

The subsequent years saw Sadi in various roles, including Founding Partner at Trendee Europe, where he explored new industry horizons. His entrepreneurial spirit and strategic insight contributed to the success of Trendee Europe during his tenure from June 2012 to April 2013. 

In 2014 Sadi took on the role of Director Bwin Labels at Bwin.party Digital Entertainment, based in Gibraltar, where he continued to make significant contributions to the gaming industry. His tenure saw the successful management of Bwin Labels and further solidified his reputation as a leader with a keen understanding of the business. 

Later in 2016, Sadi assumed the position of Director of Sportsbook at Gamesys, based in London, United Kingdom. Here he further honed his skills in sportsbook management and contributed to the success of the organisation until May 2019. 

His impactful leadership continued as CEO of Sports at Gamesys from May 2019 to October 2019, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the sports division of the company. 

Sadi's journey culminated in his current role as the CEO of LiveScore Group, a position he assumed in October 2019. In this role he has overseen remarkable growth, with employee headcount rising by 29% and annual revenue soaring from approximately £10m to over £80m. His leadership and strategic vision have been instrumental in shaping the industry's direction, driving innovation and fostering growth in the global sports betting market. 

Interviews and public speeches

For those interested in learning more about this seasoned leader with a track record of breaking revenue growth records, Sadi has conducted two interviews with Gambling Insider: 

To delve deeper into his insights on ‘convergence’ and its impact on the struggling business models of media and sports betting, check out the article featured in Gambling Insider titled ‘The convergence and competition of sports, betting & media’. Additionally, gain further perspective on Sadi's ambitions for LiveScore's media division, LiveScore Bet and Virgin Bet in this insightful interview available at the GI Huddle

 

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