Ryan is to retire from his position as co-CEO of online operators BwinParty.

Ryan will vacate the role on 15 January 2013, with current co-CEO Norbert Teufelberger assuming the new post of Group CEO.

Ryan joined PartyPoker as CEO in June 2008, later becoming joint-CEO of BwinParty following the merger between PartyPoker and Bwin.

Ryan said: “Being co-CEO of BwinParty has been my dream job. As we approach the final stages of our merger integration I am immensely proud of what we have achieved and know that with Norbert at the helm the business is in excellent hands and is particularly well-placed for the future.

“Having given over 11 years of my life to the online gaming industry I am now looking forward to returning to Canada and enjoying more time with my family.”

BwinParty non-executive chairman Simon Duffy said: “Jim’s expertise and passion for the group’s gaming products have been instrumental in ensuring that the merger integration has proceeded as planned, putting the group in an excellent position to remain at the forefront of the global online gaming market.”

When asked by Gambling Insider whether there were any business or performance-related reasons for Ryan’s departure, a company spokesman said: “Absolutely none whatsoever.

“Today’s announcement is exactly as it says in black and white – I wouldn’t read anything more into this.”

The spokesman also stated that Ryan’s exit was not part of any pre-planned post-merger strategy.

“If you look at it from a business perspective the integration is almost complete, and Jim for his own personal reasons wants to go back to Canada with his family,” he said.

“You don’t sit down and map these things out - they are things that take place in their own due course.”

As to whether the industry could expect to see Ryan reappear in a different role at any time in the future, the spokesman said: “Whether or not Jim stays permanently retired is his call.

“If he decides after a year or two out that he wants to do something else, whatever that may be, that’s his decision, but there’s certainly nothing on the table at the moment.”