Bwin: new poker boss, B2B push

BWIN POKER subsidiary Bwin Games AB has a new managing director as part of a new push to strengthen the Austrian company’s business-to-business (B2B) arm.

Peter Bertilsson, Boss poker president and chief executive from 2001 until 2006, succeeds Carl Klingberg in the role at Bwin. Most recently Bertilsson was head of technology investment business Ice House.

Bwin co-chief executive Norbert Teufelberger said: “To carve out a distinct and strategic B2B unit is the order of the day. It is time to evaluate, complete and enhance the product portfolio to be prepared for the future.

“We have convinced a true veteran of online gaming B2B to take the challenge leading this business unit. As the market environment changes in that fast moving industry, B2B capabilities will be key for the USA and Asia but also for riding the regulation wave in Europe.”

Bwin is just the latest in a series of operators to invest in B2B. PartyGaming signed a B2B deal with Danish monopoly Danske Spil to supply online poker and casino this week, in line with PartyGaming chief executive Jim Ryan’s view that B2B is a vital hedge against protectionism in newly regulated markets; while Paddy Power launched a B2B arm and signed a deal to supply France’s PMU with a sportsbook in November and 888 B2B arm Dragonfish launched in March 2009 and has gone on to win a string of B2B deals including with US casino giant Harrah’s.

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