Industry News
Entain Launches Global Innovation Hub, Ennovate
Entain, the leading global sports betting, gaming and interactive entertainment operator, is to launch a global innovation hub, Ennovate, with a first lab to open in London. Ennovate will invest up to £100 million in innovation projects, start-up investments and collaborations with UK, European and global partners, with £40 million specifically earmarked for innovation investment in the UK.
Ennovate supports Entain’s ambition to be a global leader in interactive entertainment, providing great products and moments of excitement for customers. As media, entertainment and gaming converge, customers expect richer experiences, with greater variety of content, immersive experiences, personalisation and social interaction which increase their enjoyment and engagement.
First technology companies working with Ennovate include Verizon, BT, and Theta Labs, all looking to develop ground-breaking experiences for customers in gaming and interactive entertainment. Not-for-profit organisations are also collaborating with Ennovate, using technology for innovations which bring societal and environmental benefit. All external partners will collaborate with Entain’s own tech team and use the Ennovate Hub to conceive, develop, experiment and bring their innovations to life.
“We want to lead the way with new, exciting products and experiences for customers and use our cutting-edge technology to pioneer innovations in sport, gaming and interactive entertainment for the metaverse,” Jette Nygaard-Andersen, Chief Executive of Entain, said.
“We also want to use our position as a global technology leader to help drive innovation more widely. Working with partners around the globe, Ennovate will demonstrate how Entain’s industry-leading technology can both revolutionise experiences for consumers and deliver real benefits to society,” she added.
Ennovate’s first dedicated innovation lab will be located in Charterhouse Square, Farringdon, at the heart of London’s entrepreneurial tech community, close to the UK headquarters of TikTok and Snapchat. It will host members of Entain’s innovation technology team, working alongside its commercial and not-for-profit partners.
Opening this spring, the location is being fitted out with cutting-edge technology, to create a unique environment for building and trialling new entertainment experiences. These will include developing new entertainment products for the metaverse, a virtual reality space where people will be able to interact in a computer-generated environment.
The centrepiece of this and future Ennovate labs will be an Experience Zone, enabling customers, investors, partners and employees to try out new immersive experiences in sport, gaming and interactive entertainment.
“Our goal is to bring the most exciting experiences in immersive sport, gaming and interactive entertainment to life as the metaverse takes shape. Working with partners we believe we can achieve great things faster, both for customers and to apply these technologies and skills to benefit wider society,” Sandeep Tiku, Chief Operating Officer at Entain, said.
Industry News
CT Interactive Appoints Todor Botsev as Business Development Manager for EMEA and Asia
CT Interactive has appointed Todor Botsev as its Business Development Manager for ЕМЕА and Аsia.
With over 16 years of experience in the dynamic and rapidly evolving casino industry, Todor specialises in online and offline business operations. His career has encompassed a variety of roles and responsibilities, including managing online and offline casino operations, optimising gaming platforms and developing strategic business initiatives.
Throughout his career, Todor has gained extensive experience in the development and implementation of new gaming products for online and offline casinos, working with a diverse range of gaming platforms and systems. His expert approach to data analysis and market trends enables him to design and execute innovative strategies for customer acquisition and retention, driving sustainable growth and expanding the customer base.
Todor’s strong leadership skills allow him to effectively manage teams and projects, with a focus on operational efficiency and staff development. His leadership philosophy is built on collaboration and a commitment to delivering the highest standards of customer service.
With his deep understanding of online casino operations and strategic thinking, Todor is a valuable addition to the CT Interactive team.
The post CT Interactive Appoints Todor Botsev as Business Development Manager for EMEA and Asia appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
Playtech Executive Chair Brian Mattingley Set to Step Aside
The chairman of Playtech, the London-listed gambling technology group, is to step down, triggering a search for a successor with a taste for stringent corporate governance challenges.
Egon Zehnder International, the boardroom headhunter, is being appointed to handle the search for Mr Mattingley’s successor, according to a source close to the situation.
A former chairman and chief executive of 888, the London-listed gaming company now known as Evoke, Mr Mattingley was also a founding director of Gala Leisure.
At Playtech, he has overseen a frenetic period of corporate activity while also finding himself in the eye of a series of storms with shareholders over boardroom pay and wider corporate governance.
The most recent of those came in December when close to a third of investors rebelled over a €100m bonus plan for Mor Weizer, the company’s chief executive, along with other senior executives.
Shareholders give Mr Mattingley credit, however, for helping to navigate the company through a challenging period in the gambling industry, in particular his role last year in securing the sale of Snaitech, its Italian consumer gambling arm, for €2.3bn.
That represented a nearly threefold return on Playtech’s initial investment in the business, triggering total returns to shareholders of up to €1.8bn – a sum almost equivalent to all of the special dividends paid by London-listed companies in 2023.
The sale of Snaitech will transform Playtech into a pure-play business-to-business operation.
During Mr Mattingley’s three-and-a-half year tenure, shares in the company have risen by about 60%.
The post Playtech Executive Chair Brian Mattingley Set to Step Aside appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
CT Interactive Reflects on Successful Showcase at ICE 2025
CT Interactive is marking a resounding success following its participation in last week’s ICE 2025 trade show. As a global iGaming provider of innovative gaming solutions, the company used the event to solidify its market presence, seal new partnerships, unveil new gaming content and engage in productive discussions about its ambitious growth plans.
CT Interactive’s showcase at ICE Gaming 2025 reaffirmed its commitment to supporting its partners by expanding its portfolio of games available for their platforms. The company’s efforts to release fresh and engaging content have already been met with enthusiasm, setting the stage for stronger collaborations and greater player satisfaction.
Another highlight of the event was the company’s announcement about its impending certification for the Brazilian market. This milestone will enable CT Interactive to officially enter one of Latin America’s most dynamic and fast-growing regions.
“We’re thrilled about the opportunities Brazil offers. We have prepared a games list designed to resonate with the preferences of Brazilian players, and we’re eager to bring our portfolio to this exciting market,” Martin Ivanov, COO of CT Interactive, said.
ICE Gaming 2025 also provided an excellent platform for CT Interactive to explore growth opportunities in Eastern Europe. With its strong regulatory framework and growing appetite for online gaming, Ukraine featured prominently in the company’s discussions. CT Interactive is about to conclude a deal with a local partner, significantly boosting its presence in this emerging market.
“The Ukrainian market holds tremendous potential, and we’re keen to expand our footprint there. We are confident that our diverse portfolio of high-quality games will meet the expectations of operators and players alike,” Martin Ivanov said.
The company’s new game releases were another highlight of its ICE Gaming presence. CT Interactive’s cutting-edge titles, designed with captivating visuals and engaging gameplay, were met with widespread acclaim. These releases are expected to captivate players and drive significant revenue growth for its operator partners.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Martin Ivanov stated that CT Interactive’s participation allowed it to strengthen its relationships with partners, explore untapped opportunities and reinforce its position in the gaming industry.
“The show was an incredible opportunity to engage with our partners, showcase our innovations, and discuss strategies for mutual growth. We leave ICE Gaming 2025 energised and excited for what’s next,” Martin Ivanov added.
The post CT Interactive Reflects on Successful Showcase at ICE 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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