JAN FEB 2023

Editor's Letter

As we welcome 2023 with open arms, we would like to wish a Happy New Year to all our Gambling Insider readers, partners and contributors. No less than six of the industry's most influential leaders feature in this year's CEO Special, which will be distributed en masse at February's ICE London trade show. Flutter International CEO Dan Taylor opens proceedings, speaking to Louis Thompsett at Flutter's London HQ. On page 38, Taylor walks him through a career that's seen him work with the Daily Mail, Teletext Holidays and – not least – manage several of Flutter's high-profile global brands.

Over at Light & Wonder, I speak to Gaming CEO Siobhan Lane (page 44), who provides one of the management quotes of the year when she says her job is to enable every one of her team's "superpowers." Unsurprisingly, Lane learned volumes about the industry in 12 years at Aristocrat and is now bringing those lessons to the fore at Light & Wonder's Gaming division.

On page 50, Hoiana President & CEO Steve Wolstenholme represents the land-based industry in Vietnam, as he tells me all about a career that has taken him to Florida, the Bahamas, the Philippines, Macau, Niagara Falls and many more luxurious destinations. This issue's theme is 'the jet setters' – and Wolstenholme probably embodies this best.

Meanwhile, Peter Lynch speaks with Tsachi Maimon, whose role has expanded as Aspire Global CEO since also becoming President of NeoGames. What I love most about these interviews is you get to know the person behind the exec; it turns out Maimon is a keen tennis player, who now regularly plays padel in Spain!

BGaming CEO Marina Ostrovtsova provides a fresh approach to our line-up. In a joint interview with myself and Louis Thompsett, Ostrovtsova discusses her unique rise and why it's important to give people the freedom to actually make mistakes...

Completing our CEO Special, I've left mention of Natalia Hilevych until last, because our emotive discussion will stay with me forever. The inspirational Parimatch Eastern Europe CEO fought back tears as she talked me through life as a CEO in a wartorn country. It's an interview you don't want to miss. 

My final message hits an equally emotional tone. The late Peter Nolan featured in our November/December edition, for the very last interview of his life. His sudden departure has broken the hearts not only of his family and his Digitain colleagues, but everyone who knew him in gambling. A titan of our industry, may he rest in peace.    

In the Magazine

Global Gaming Awards London: Who will win Executive of the year 2023?

Gambling Insider takes a look at the nominations list for 2023's Executive of the year at the Global Gaming Awards London.

CEO Special: Flutter International CEO Dan Taylor returning to roots

Flutter International CEO Dan Taylor meets Louis Thompsett to reflect on his rise through the ranks at Paddy Power Betfair, his directorial experiences at digital media firms, and how his current role isn’t too far afield from his dream job as a child...

CEO Special: Light & Wonder Gaming CEO Siobhan Lane - optimising superpowers

Siobhan Lane, Light & Wonder Gaming CEO, speaks to Gambling Insider Editor Tim Poole about her background, career path and desire to “make every individual feel their superpower is valuable”

CEO Special: Hoiana Resorts' Steve Wolstenholme – the travel man

Hoiana President & CEO Steve Wolstenholme talks to Gambling Insider Editor Tim Poole about a career that has taken him across the globe, philanthropy, Vietnamese gaming, and lessons in mentorship and management

CEO Special: Parimatch's Natalia Hilevych – wartime leadership

In an emotionally charged interview, Parimatch Eastern Europe CEO Natalia Hilevych speaks to Gambling Insider Editor Tim Poole about leading her company through unprecedented, war-torn circumstances.

CEO Special: BGaming CEO Marina Ostrovtsova – a breath of fresh air

Gambling Insider Editor Tim Poole and Louis Thompsett sit down with BGaming CEO Marina Ostrovtsova, learning about her unique rise in gaming to become one of its youngest CEOs. Words by Louis Thompsett

CEO Special: NeoGames' & Aspire Global's Tsachi Maimon on his vertical ascent

NeoGames President and Aspire Global CEO Tsachi Maimon speaks to Gambling Insider’s Peter Lynch about an unusual entry into the gaming industry, his gratitude to those around him, how his role has changed after the major acquisition of the group, and what the future holds.

World Cup 2022: A betting examination

Peter Lynch takes a look at betting projections before the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicked off and whether or not they were met

Australian gambling: Philip Crawford, “cancelling The Star’s casino licence was carefully considered”

Gambling Insider explores the chaos caused by The Star Entertainment Resort in Australia and speaks exclusively to the New South Wales Gambling Commission’s (NICC) Philip Crawford, who explains the decisions taken by the regulator

Have gambling companies prioritised safer gambling enough?

Gambling Insider explores whether or not the gambling industry has progressed over the past 12 months in making safer gambling a bigger priority. Has it worked hard enough to put the health of the consumer first?

Big Question: Is gamification useful in driving player engagement and retention, or is it overrated?

Will Tighe, Yoel Zuckerberg and Josip Vrbic talk with Gambling Insider and answer this edition’s big question on gamification

Roundtable: Industry experts tell Gambling Insider what's in Store for land-based gaming in 2023?

Industry leaders from Interblock, Everi, Novomatic and FBM discuss the evolution of land-based gaming and why it is still a popular vertical amid the growth of iGaming

Exclusive Q&A with Softswiss CMO: Marketing chilli peppers and ICE

Softswiss CMO Valentina Bagniya speaks exclusively to Gambling Insider about her aims for the casino supplier's marketing department, as well as her progress to date

Dan Ștefan Ciobanu on gambling's evolution in the metaverse

Dan Ștefan Ciobanu, Co-founder and CEO of Bugsy World Society, talks Gambling Insider through the metaverse, how he believes it will impact gambling in the future and where the first dice were found

Do casinos have a Plan B amid cyber security threats?

Plan A Technologies Chairman Aron Ezra discusses the technical vulnerabilities that could leave casino operators open to a Southwest Airline-scale meltdown

Poker: Was the exciting vertical dealt a good hand in 2022?

Gambling Insider reviews the highs and lows of poker in 2022, as well as previewing what lies ahead for the vertical in 2023

Esports Focus: A growing vertical’s changing relationship with operators

Gambling Insider asks several esports providers the same pertinent questions about the growing vertical and its relationship with operators

CT Interactive: ICE 2023, looking back and looking forward

Milena Tsankarska, Head of Business Development EMEA at CT Interactive, and Martin Ivanov, Director of Business Development Americas at CT Interactive, speak to Gambling Insider about the company's intentions for ICE 2023, last year’s achievements and where the group is heading going forward

Mate Affiliates: Five guaranteed ways to attract and retain players

Raluca Turtică, PR Manager at Mate Affiliates, explains the most common ways that iGaming companies can successfully attract and retain players

Amelco: Why the African market is the diamond in the rough

Amelco Head of US Brandon Walker provides an in-depth look into South Africa’s gaming market, and how it compares to other local and worldwide jurisdictions

10bet COO: The future of the African gambling market

10bet COO Nir Saadon sits down to speak with Gambling Insider about the African gambling market, 10bet’s expansion plans and where he believes gambling is heading in the continent during the next 10 years

BetBlocker: Responsible gambling and the role played by the Gambling Commission

BetBlocker’s Duncan Garvie speaks to Gambling Insider about the state of safety in the market and how the Gambling Commission is punishing responsible gambling offenders