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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
BMM INNOVATION GROUP TO SHOWCASE ITS WORLD-LEADING TESTING SERVICES FOR BRAZIL’S FAST-GROWING GAMING MARKET AT BIS SIGMA AMERICAS SUMMIT APRIL 7–10
Company to share expert insights and highlight its fast-track product certification and lottery support at São Paulo, Brazil show
BMM Innovation Group (“BMM,” “BIG Group,” or “BIG”), a technology conglomerate focused on product compliance testing, cybersecurity solutions, and virtual training for the global gaming industry, will exhibit at BiS SiGMA Americas April 7-10 at the Transamerica Expo Center in São Paulo, Brazil in Stand No. F133.
As Brazil’s gaming landscape undergoes a significant transformation under new federal regulations, BMM is heavily partnered with operators, suppliers, and regulators through this transition. With its three expert divisions – BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training – the BIG Group brings unmatched expertise in product testing, cybersecurity, and responsible gaming education, all vital for success in the dynamic Brazilian market.
At the show, BMM will highlight its fast-track product testing and certification process, developed specifically to address Brazil’s recertification requirements for B2B and B2C operators. This streamlined service ensures that gaming companies meet all regulatory standards while maintaining their operating licenses with minimal disruption.
BMM Testlabs’ Marzia Turrini, President of iGaming & Cybersecurity, said, “BMM is committed to guiding customers through the certification process with speed, precision, and expert support. Our goal is to reduce regulatory risks and accelerate time to market in Brazil’s evolving regulatory environment.”
At BiS SiGMA, BMM will highlight its support for Brazil’s expanding state lottery market, working closely with operators to support multi-jurisdictional entry and growth. BMM’s lottery and iLottery testing services help ensure full compliance while enabling faster, broader market access.
Visitors to BMM Innovation Group’s stand at BiS SiGMA Americas will gain insights into the Company’s full suite of services for cybersecurity and defense, as well as responsible gaming, including:
- Vulnerability assessments, penetration tests, PCI:DSS evaluations, and a suite of managed security services featuring CYREBRO’s Security Operations Center, KnowBe4’s security awareness training, and Maxxsure’s risk management platform.
- RG24seven Virtual Training, offering expert-led education on responsible gaming, anti-money laundering, and many other important topics, available in Portuguese, Spanish, and English for gaming professionals worldwide.
Turrini added, “BMM is more than just a test lab. We are a long-term strategic partner, helping shape a secure, responsible, and compliant gaming industry in Brazil and globally.”
BMM invites all BiS SiGMA attendees to stop by Stand No. F133 and discover how the Company drives innovation, reliability, and trust across Brazil’s regulated gaming industry. For more information on BMM’s Brazil support, visit the BMM Brazil Hub at brazil.bmm.com/.
The post BMM INNOVATION GROUP TO SHOWCASE ITS WORLD-LEADING TESTING SERVICES FOR BRAZIL’S FAST-GROWING GAMING MARKET AT BIS SIGMA AMERICAS SUMMIT APRIL 7–10 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Latest News
Bacta’s George McGregor to step down

George McGregor, Bacta’s Executive Director – Government Relations, has announced that he is moving on from the UK trade association at the end of June.
His departure following the Bacta AGM marks the conclusion of a 21-year association with the trade body.
He was an external adviser to Bacta in his role as Managing Director of the public affairs consultancy Interel (now DGA) and has served as Bacta Executive Director since January 2024.
George McGregor, confirmed: “In August this year I turn 60 and my intention is to shift gear in my career, moving from a full-on role to project and advisory work.
“I am incredibly proud of my work with Bacta over the years in helping it achieve tangible benefits for members.
“Between now and my departure there is still a lot to do. We need to finalise our response to the Gambling Minister on stakes and prizes, conclude our submission to the Gambling Commission’s review of gaming machine technical standards and push hard to see the delivery of the long overdue Gambling White Paper reforms”.
John Bollom, Bacta President, added: “We are very sad to see George moving-on but we understand his reasons and wish him well in the future. George is smart, determined and personable. He will leave big boots to fill.”
The post Bacta’s George McGregor to step down appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Conferences in Europe
When 5 Votes Make All the Difference: A Special Moment at the GamingTECH CEE Awards

At this year’s GamingTECH CEE Awards, we witnessed something rare—and pretty remarkable—in the “Best iGaming CEO in CEE” category.
With 214 total votes cast across 9 nominees, two names clearly rose to the top, standing apart from a highly competitive field:
- Vlastimil Venclik, CEO at Oddin.gg
- Dario Jurčić, CEO at NSoft
But here’s where it gets interesting: the difference between them? Just 5 votes.
That’s right—after weeks of online voting and a live secret ballot from summit participants, the final count came down to a 5-vote margin. In a category filled with respected leaders, innovators, and visionaries, two CEOs clearly resonated with the industry in a big way.
And while only one person can technically take home the winner’s trophy, this razor-thin result was too significant to ignore. So, for the first time in the history of the GamingTECH CEE Awards, we decided to introduce something new:
- An Honorary Runner-Up Trophy for “Best iGaming CEO in CEE” awarded to Dario Jurčić, CEO of NSoft.
Why This Matters
The intent behind this decision is simple: When excellence is nearly indistinguishable, it deserves to be recognized.
Dario Jurčić has played a vital role in expanding NSoft’s influence, strengthening its presence in new markets, and leading with a people-first approach in a rapidly evolving sector. His visibility, leadership, and impact were clearly acknowledged by the voting community—and with just a handful of votes separating him from the top spot, it felt only right to shine a spotlight on that achievement.
A Testament to a Vibrant Industry
The closeness of this race also speaks volumes about the caliber of leadership we’re seeing in the Central and Eastern European iGaming space. With companies like Oddin.gg and NSoft pushing boundaries in their respective verticals, the region continues to establish itself as a dynamic force in the global gaming landscape.
We congratulate Vlastimil Venclik on his well-earned win, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation and applause to Dario Jurčić for standing out in such a competitive field.
Sometimes, even second place can tell a powerful story—and this year, it certainly did.
The post When 5 Votes Make All the Difference: A Special Moment at the GamingTECH CEE Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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