People news 18 September 2014
The latest people news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (12 September to 18 September 2014)
Gala Interactive MD Per Widerstrom to leave for Fortuna
Swede will leave Gala Interactive in December to lead Fortuna’s new multi-channel strategy
Gala Interactive managing director Per Widerstrom has left the gaming brand to join Central European operator Fortuna Entertainment Group after almost three years in the role.
Widerstrom will assume his new role as CEO and chairman of Fortuna’s board in Q4, taking over from the outgoing Radim Haluza, who will stay with the business until the end of the year as part of the transition. He will be based at Fortuna’s headquarters in Prague.
The Fortuna Entertainment Group was established in 2009 in the Czech Republic and has grown to become the largest Central European betting firm, also operating in the Slovak, Polish and Hungarian markets.
In the first half of 2014 the company’s over net profit increased by 19% to 9m. Gross win from online betting rose 32.5% to 32.3m in H1, surpassing retail betting for the first time.
Bet365 hires Betfred’s former head of poker
Bet365 has hired Betfred’s head of poker Ben Clark as the gaming giant’s new poker operations manager.
Clark joined the bet365 poker team last month following three years with Betfred and will report to bet365’s head of poker and games Christian Bogstrand in Gibraltar.
A Betfred spokesperson confirmed Clark’s departure and that it had yet to appoint a successor.
Seven days in people news:
Stan James cuts more jobs as sale nears
Stan James is continuing to reduce the size of its Gibraltar-based team as the bookmaker holds advanced discussions regarding the potential sale of the business.
News of the sale discussions come after the Gibraltar-licensed firm launched another redundancy round, with the operator deciding to make cuts to its product development team.
It is believed fewer than ten staffers have been affected, however, the decision, which was made just a few weeks ago, has been viewed as an indication of Stan James’ future product development plans.
NetPlay TV names new CEO as H1 profits drop 19%
Interactive casino firm NetPlay TV has announced a restructuring of its management team following a 19% drop in H1 profits with Bjarke Larsen named interim CEO and outgoing CEO Charles Butler taking on the role of non-executive chairman.
Bjarke Larsen, appointed as the firm’s commercial director last month, will take up the position of interim CEO while the board searches for a long-term successor.
CEO Charles Butler will take on the role of non-executive chairman replacing Clive Jones, who is retiring from his role on the board.
Bgo recruits Dan Bilzerian for new £15m campaign
Online casino operator bgo Entertainment has recruited another famous face as part of a new £15m marketing drive following the success of its Mini-Me inspired ad campaign earlier this year.
From Q4 this year, professional poker player and renowned playboy Dan Bilzerian will appear in a series of TV and online ads for the brand, which regularly features in eGaming Review‘s Power 50 list.
Bilzerian is famed for his lavish lifestyle, much of which he shares with thousands of fans on social media networks such as Instagram where he boasts 4.5 million followers.