People news 16 March 2017
The latest people news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (10 March to 16 March 2017)
William Hill hands Bowcock CEO role on permanent basis
Hills brings to an end its eight-month-long search to find a successor to former CEO James Henderson
William Hill has confirmed interim CEO Philip Bowcock will take up the role on a permanent basis, ending an eight-month long search for a successor to James Henderson.
Bowcock was widely expected to be handed the role full-time after serving as interim chief exec since the sacking of Henderson in July 2016.
He originally joined the operator as chief financial officer (CFO) in November 2015 having previously worked in senior financial roles at Luminar, Barratt Developments and Tesco.
“During my time at the helm, I have had the opportunity to lead a passionate, talented and committed team and we have made considerable operational progress in recent months,” Bowcock said.
Winmasters hires former bwin and GTECH director as CEO
Winmasters has hired Thomas Tzokas as its new chief executive with the former bwin and GTECH director tasked with leading the operator’s push into regulated markets.
Tzokas, who spent more than 11 years at bwin, will be based out of the Winmasters’ Malta headquarters, although will spend the first few months visiting the firm’s local offices in order to finalise its long-term strategy.
Speaking to EGR Intel about the move, Tzokas said Winmasters was at “development stage” having recently formed a partnership with technology provider SBTech.
Seven days in people news:
Jackpotjoy hires gaming analyst Jason Holden for senior IR role
Jackpotjoy (JPJ) has hired gaming analyst Jason Holden as its new director of investor and public relations, as the company looks to build its “corporate profile” in the UK.
Holden, who will join the firm next month, will be responsible for communicating the bingo-led operator’s proposition to the UK investment community following its recent listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
The company re-listed on the LSE earlier this year after deciding to move the business to London from the Toronto Stock Exchange and rebranding from Intertain to Jackpotjoy.
Former BGO chief exec launches new ‘trustworthy’ casino brand
Fledgling operator PlayOJO is looking to take advantage of an apparent growing distrust in the UK online casino industry by giving customers a “fairer deal” through bonuses bound by no wagering requirements and play limitations.
Speaking to EGR Intel, the brand’s co-founder Ohad Narkis, said customers were becoming disillusioned by complicated T&Cs and believed there was an opportunity for a brand that could give customers access to funds at all times.
PlayOJO claims it will also offer ‘money back on every bet’ as an alternative offer to bonuses that come with restrictive T&Cs.
Teddy Sagi reduces Playtech stake following £113m share offload
Playtech founder Teddy Sagi has reduced his stake in the egaming supplier to 17.8% after offloading 13 million company shares worth a total of £113m.
The Israeli’s Brickington Trading announced it had agreed to sell shares to the UK arm of Paris-based asset manager Boussard & Gavaudan for 872.5p per share.
The Playtech shares were supposed to be held in lock-up until the end of May after Brickington Trading had agreed not to sell any for 180 days following its sale of 38.7 million shares in November.