Game Nation, a UK high streets slots operator, has appointed Mark Jepp as its new CEO, effective 2 September 2024. Jepp succeeds Adam Hodges, one of the company’s original founders, who is stepping down after five years in the role.
Under Hodges' leadership, Game Nation established itself as a player in high-street entertainment. He led the company through the Covid-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and a recent streamlining of its shop portfolio.
Ulrik Bengtsson, Chairman of City Gaming, stated: “The Board would like to take the opportunity to thank Adam as he has played an important role in the company's success over the past years. The Board feels the time is right for new leadership and is confident in appointing Mark Jepp who, with his operational and hospitality mindset combined with vast machines experience, is well equipped to lead the company going forward.”
Jepp brings a varied experience from the gaming industry, having served as Slots Director at Mecca Bingo and Managing Director at Majestic Bingo. His career also includes roles at Ladbrokes and Gala Bingo.
The leadership change comes amid ongoing regulatory developments in the UK gambling industry. Proposals for mandatory affordability checks and maximum stake limits for online operators are expected to impact the sector significantly.
Surveys and industry reports back in 2023 suggest that these measures could drive a shift in gambling habits back to high street outlets. For example, 888 Holdings reported a 15% decline in online operations but a more than 50% increase in retail revenues for 2022. Similarly, Entain’s full-year results for 2022 showed a 2% drop in online revenue, attributed to regulatory changes, while retail revenue surged by 66%.
The UK Government's recent White Paper on gambling proposed various measures to enhance player safety, including affordability checks and potential stake limits on online slot machines. These regulations aim to protect players from gambling-related harm but may lead some players to prefer high street outlets over online platforms.
