Latest News
THE STAR SYDNEY’S LEADERSHIP TEAM ACHIEVES EQUAL GENDER REPRESENTATION
The Star Sydney leadership team has reached a 50/50 split of men and women following two recent appointments to
the executive group reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO).
The Star Entertainment Group has a target of 45% women and 45% men representation in leadership roles across its
properties in Sydney and Queensland, while the remaining 10% reflects scope for any gender identity, including non-binary gender identities.
The result also signals the success of an ongoing commitment to improvement in gender representation. Five years
ago, the equivalent leadership team at The Star Sydney comprised 23% women.
The Star Sydney’s COO, Damian Quayle said that achieving gender equality in the leadership team was the result of a
focused effort including the development of a talent acquisition and recruitment pipeline, fostering an inclusive and
diverse work environment and implementing a group-wide gender equality strategy.
“I am incredibly proud to say that my leadership team reflects a more balanced representation of genders, of our
workforce, of our community and the millions of guests we welcome each year,” Mr Quayle said.
“I wholeheartedly believe that equal representation drives better teamwork, a wider base of experience to drawn upon
and ultimately greater performance.”
The Star Entertainment Group’s Chief People and Performance Officer, Kim Lee added, “We recognise that diversity –
of genders, different cultural backgrounds, experiences and ideas is critical to creating a welcoming environment for
our guests and team members. With more women being elevated to senior roles than ever, The Star is on track to
meet its targets.”
Following the appointments of Sandra Thefs and Christina Lambert, the team now comprises three women and three
men.
Speaking of the two appointments, Mr Quayle said: “Sandra adds over 25 years’ experience in the gaming industry to
the team. She most recently spearheaded delivery of Sovereign, The Star Sydney’s $250 million premium
entertainment and gaming venue.
“Since taking on the role as Director of Hotels, Christina has truly excelled. She has led The Darling Sydney in
maintaining its pre-eminent position as the only luxury hotel to receive the coveted Forbes’ Five Star award. She is now
also responsible for developing a program that ensures that level of service and guest experience is delivered across
our entire property.”
Sandra Thefs, who has been with The Star since 1995 – first as a dealer at Treasury Brisbane, then venturing south for
the launch of ‘Star City’ in 1997 said a strong network of advocates were key to her progression.
“Throughout my time with The Star, I have always been supported in my ambitions to progress my career by my peers
and my managers,” she said. “They instilled the confidence I needed and encouraged me to take up opportunities I
might not have otherwise pursued.
”As Chair of Balance at The Star, our gender equality network, I have seen firsthand the progress we have made in a
short space of time.
“Although there is more work to be done to achieve parity across the board, we have clear direction from our Executive
team, a newly released gender equality strategy to help our targets and a committed workforce all working towards the
same goal.”
The Star Sydney’s Director of Hotel and Guest Experiences, Christina Lambert, said she is thrilled to be part of a
leadership group that values equity, diversity, and inclusion.
“I have had the pleasure of leading The Star Sydney’s hotel team over the last two years, and excited to extend my role
into guest experience across the property,” Ms Lambert said.
“It is important for me to see a balanced representation of genders in our teams, and I’m grateful to be part of that and
ensuring it is reflected across all levels of The Star’s operations.”
Sandra and Christina join Samantha Apps on The Star Sydney‘s leadership team.
Ms Apps joined The Star Entertainment Group in 2017 as General Manager, Group Procurement where she led the
transformation of that function, increasing benefits delivery by 150% over her first two years.
She moved into The Star Sydney’s leadership team in February 2021 as General Manager, Hospitality and Group
Supply Chain. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Ms Apps is an active ally and member of the ‘Proud at
The Star’ committee that champions a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for LGBTQI+ team members and
guests, and NSW state representative on Chief Executive Women’s Connect Committee that supports the pathway to
the C-Suite for talented women across Australia.
Latest News
Fanatics Casino Launches with $2 Million FanCash Drop

Fastest Growing Online Casino in America* Is Now Available in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia Via Desktop and Standalone App
Today, Fanatics Betting and Gaming announced the launch of Fanatics Casino on iOS and Android in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Fanatics Casino is also launching a web version today in West Virginia with Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania coming soon.
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Players are invited to dive into a world of thrills as Fanatics Casino brings the casino floor directly to a customer’s fingertips, whether on-the-go or in front of a computer. Players can explore a wide array of classic and modern casino games, including slots, blackjack, roulette, progressive jackpots and video poker. Each game is crafted to deliver authentic casino action, ensuring endless entertainment.
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The post Fanatics Casino Launches with $2 Million FanCash Drop appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Digital Footprints
Digital Footprints Shortlisted for Three Prestigious EGR B2B Awards

Digital Footprints, a leading full-service iGaming marketing agency, is proud to announce its shortlisting in three major categories at the upcoming EGR B2B Awards 2025. The agency has been recognised for excellence in the following categories:
- Marketing Services Supplier
- Corporate Services Supplier
- Best Customer Service
The EGR B2B Awards are widely regarded as the benchmark for performance and innovation within the online gaming industry, celebrating the very best service providers across all verticals.
“This recognition from EGR reflects the dedication, creativity, and expertise of our team,” said Sharon McFarlane, Managing Director at Digital Footprints. “Being shortlisted across three highly competitive categories not only validates the results we’ve achieved for our clients, but also showcases our commitment to exceptional service and forward-thinking strategy in the iGaming space.”
A Testament to Innovation and Service Excellence
Digital Footprints has consistently delivered high-impact marketing solutions to some of the industry’s most recognisable brands, combining data-driven strategies with creative execution to drive measurable results. The agency’s inclusion in the Marketing Services Supplier category underlines its reputation for cutting-edge campaign management, performance marketing, and brand development tailored specifically to iGaming audiences.
The Corporate Services Supplier nomination recognises Digital Footprints’ ability to deliver robust support solutions that help clients scale sustainably and compliantly in an increasingly regulated environment.
Meanwhile, the Best Customer Service shortlist position reflects the agency’s people-first approach and relentless focus on providing transparent, responsive, and personalised support to every partner.
Looking Ahead
Winners of the EGR B2B Awards 2025 will be announced at the official awards ceremony on 2nd July, where industry leaders will gather to celebrate innovation and service excellence across the iGaming ecosystem.
Digital Footprints is honoured to stand alongside the industry’s top performers and remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in iGaming marketing.
Media Contact:
Sharon McFarlane
Managing Director
Digital Footprints
[email protected]
+44 7885 910 472
www.digital-footprints.co.uk
The post Digital Footprints Shortlisted for Three Prestigious EGR B2B Awards appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Compliance Updates
EGBA boosts regulatory monitoring with compliance workspace Letzz

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) is pleased to announce a partnership with Letzz, an AI-powered compliance workspace designed for online gambling, to modernise regulatory monitoring and enhance strategic compliance across Europe’s fragmented online gambling landscape.
Through this partnership, EGBA will implement Letzz‘s AI-powered tool to enhance its own regulatory monitoring capabilities. Launching this week, the Letzz platform offers operators real-time, expert-validated insights and automated regulatory news scanning, creating a single, reliable source of information for compliance management.
“We are committed to promoting the highest standards of compliance across Europe’s online gambling sector,” said Maarten Haijer, Secretary General at EGBA. “With 27 countries in the EU, each with their own gambling laws and a myriad of requirements, accessible tools like Letzz can help both associations like EGBA and operators better understand the complex landscape of regulatory obligations.”
“We founded Letzz with the belief that compliance should be a competitive advantage, not just a necessity,” said Daniel Gambin, Co-Founder and CEO at Letzz. “Our partnership with EGBA allows us to bring this vision to a wider audience of operators who share our commitment to excellence in regulatory compliance. By transforming compliance from a challenge into a strategic business asset, we’re helping operators stay abreast of the latest regulatory changes.”
The collaboration reflects EGBA’s commitment to promoting a well-regulated online gambling market with the highest compliance standards.
Source: egba.eu
The post EGBA boosts regulatory monitoring with compliance workspace Letzz appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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