People news 7 November 2013
The latest people moves from the egaming industry in the last seven days (1 November to 7 November 2013)
PartyPoker founders to sell bwin.party shareholding
Founders Ruth Parasol DeLeon and James Russel DeLeon to divest shares in bwin.party rather than submit individual licence applications in New Jersey
Two of bwin.party’s major shareholders, PartyPoker founders Ruth Parasol and Russell DeLeon, have agreed to sell their entire shareholding as part of the firm’s application for a licence in New Jersey.
Under New Jersey state laws regarding online casino licences, the pair would have been forced to undergo the stringent suitability checks carried out by the Division of Gaming Enforcement as part of bwin.party’s application.
However for reasons of privacy, Parasol and her current husband James Russell DeLeon have agreed with the New Jersey regulator to transfer their entire bwin.party shareholdings into separate divestiture trusts.
The filing with the London Stock Exchange said their shares will be now divested over a period of up to 36 months taking effect on the date that the New Jersey online gaming market opens.
IGT’s head of interactive Melendres steps down
Robert Melendres is to step down from his role as executive vice-president of interactive at International Game Technology (IGT), and will leave the company at the end of the year.
IGT revealed chief financial officer John Vandemore will take over the role with immediate effect in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission today. Melendres will report in to Vandemore until he leaves IGT on 1 January 2014.
The news comes ahead of IGT’s Q4 financial report due to be published on Thursday. IGT’s interactive division posted Q3 revenues of USD$72.5m, a 69% year-on-year increase and equal to 12.5% of the company’s total revenue.
During Melendres’ tenure, IGT completed the acquisition of social gaming company Double Down Interactive for $500m, whose Double Down Casino flagship is one of the largest gambling-related apps on Facebook.
Seven days in people news:
MyBet appoints new CFO
Malta-licensee Mybet has appointed Monika Fiala as the company’s new chief finance officer, replacing Stefan Hänel following his retirement last month.
Fiala joins the Schleswig-Holstein-based firm on an initial six-month contract, starting today, with a decision regarding a longer term appointment to be taken at a later date.
Hänel left Mybet after more than a decade at the sportsbook provider, having joined its management board in May 2003. His duties had been filled in the interim by CEO Mathis Dahms.
Danny Russell has left his position as insight director at Irish bookmaker Paddy Power. The role was created for Russell when he joined the company from BSkyB last year.
Isle of Man licensee Tailorbet has appointed Dominic Atkinson as commercial director. Atkinson will join the company from Satellite Information Services and assume responsibility for the firm’s commercial duties as part of its expansion strategy.
“Online gaming is a fast-paced and dynamic sector which demands that licensees appoint the most experienced and talented individuals in the market,” Rachel Epps, COO at Tailorbet, said.