Canada
Industry heavyweight Haig Sakouyan joins Strive Gaming
Highly experienced executive has been appointed Vice President of Client Success as platform provider continues to build its management team
Strive Gaming, the first player platform business designed specifically for the modern, multi-state requirements of leading North American operators, continues to build its senior leadership team with the appointment of industry veteran Haig Sakouyan as Vice President of Client Success.
Haig has more than 19 years’ experience in the online gaming and gambling sectors and over that time has been involved in more than 18 retail and online launches across the US for both casino and sportsbook.
This has enabled him to gain unrivalled expertise in customer success, managed services, product and operations. As Vice President of Client Success, Haig will be responsible for providing an excellent service and experience to Strive Gaming’s B2B customers and their end users.
He joins Strive Gaming from Bally Interactive, a subsidiary of Bally’s Corporation, via its Bet.Works acquisition. Haig was hired as the Vice President of B2B and was responsible for partners such as Elite Casino Resorts, theScore and Rushmore Gaming in addition to overseeing all BallyBet B2C launches.
Prior to that, Haig was Director of B2B Services at Rush Street Interactive, the company behind the BetRivers and PlaySugarHouse brands.
Haig becomes the first employee of Strive Gaming’s Canadian entity, based out of Vancouver BC. Strive Gaming now consists of multiple entities based in the US, the UK, Malta and other locations in order to deliver a world-class product and service to its partners.
The appointment comes as Strive Gaming continues to progress with its plan to provide “performance at scale” to operators targeting regulated US states. Strive Gaming already holds licenses in Colorado and Arizona with multiple licence applications underway in additional states.
Max Meltzer, Chief Executive at Strive Gaming, said: “Haig is an experienced and respected executive within the industry and is a key hire for us if we are to deliver on our slogan of ‘performance at scale’.
“His involvement in the launch of 18 retail and online sportsbooks and casinos gives him unrivalled insight into the process operators must go through and from this he will be able to ensure our partners receive the best service and support in the market.
“Haig joins Strive Gaming at a time when there is incredible momentum behind the business with licences already secured in Arizona and Colorado and with applications in progress in other states, and I look forward to working closely with him as we move towards going live with our first partners.”
Haig Sakouyan, Vice President of Client Success at Strive Gaming, said: “I am thrilled to join such an incredible team and to be able to use my years of experience to help Strive Gaming’s operator partners leverage the full power and potential of its cutting-edge platform.
“This is an organisation that has made clear its ambitions and goals for the fast-growing US and Canadian markets, and I am honoured to be playing a part in what will undoubtedly be a hugely successful story for the company.”
BCLC
INTRALOT Announces New Project with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation for Online Lottery Platform
INTRALOT S.A. has announced the undertaking of a new project between the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the sole lottery operator for the Government of British Columbia in Canada, and INTRALOT Inc., its US subsidiary, for the provision of an online lottery platform. The project also includes the digitalization of the existing land-based network.
The solution will be based on the Player X platform, part of the Lotos X ecosystem, and adds to the company’s overall partnership with BCLC, which has been extended until 2028.
INTRALOT is a leading player in a changing world of gaming. With significant experience in looking forward and anticipating emerging trends, the company provides future-proof solutions to regulated lottery and gaming operators around the world.
Canada
Relax Gaming joins forces with PointsBet to strengthen footprint in Ontario
Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of unique content, has significantly enhanced its presence in the Ontario market through an agreement with leading Canadian operator, PointsBet.
This partnership reinforces Relax Gaming’s aim to become a standout provider across North America, having already gained early success in Ontario. Relax became one of the first suppliers to deliver content to the region’s players in March 2022, debuting with over 120 games across multiple operators.
PointsBet pride themselves as one of Canada’s leading operators offering unmatched speed, ease of use, and a comprehensive array of pre-game and in-play sports betting options. This is complemented by a top-tier online casino which will now be boosted with the integration of Relax’s portfolio of slots and live dealer options.
With its authentic Canadian approach, PointsBet prioritises technology that minimises external dependencies to maintain control over its platform and has a commitment to responsible gambling best practices, ensuring a safe and secure environment for all players.
Martin Stålros, CEO at Relax Gaming, said: “Since we launched in Ontario we have enjoyed tremendous success, with our content hitting the sweet spot for the broad range of players in the Canadian province. This partnership with PointsBet will strengthen our presence in the market as the region’s leading operator integrates our rich content portfolio which will engage its player base.”
Scott Vanderwel, Chief Executive Officer at PointsBet, added: “Relax Gaming has established a strong reputation across North America and in Ontario in particular. The impressive range of content that will be integrated into our platform will increase engagement within our online platform and we are delighted to be able to provide more immersive experiences to our audiences.”
Established as one of the industry’s leading B2B suppliers, Relax Gaming was awarded GGA’s Product Launch of the Year in February 2023 for Dream Drop Jackpots. Money Train 3 names the 2023 CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards amongst its 6 Slot of the Year titles, while the brand also won the award for Skill Games Supplier at the 2023 EGR B2B Awards along with the Innovation in Mobile award at the 2023 SBC Awards.
Relax Gaming provides more than 4,000 online casino games, from its high-performing proprietary slots to a significant, varied library of content from hand-picked third-party studios via its partnership programmes.
Canada
Jackpot Digital Receives Approval from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority
Jackpot Digital, a leading manufacturer of electronic multiplayer dealerless poker tables, has announced that it has received approval from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) to act as a registered supplier of gaming supplies and services to regulated casinos in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.
The approval follows the Company’s news release dated February 6, 2024, announcing the signing of a licensing agreement with the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) to install the Company’s Jackpot Blitz dealerless poker ETGs into SIGA casinos.
SIGA operates seven casinos and Playnow.com in Saskatchewan. At the outset, SIGA proposes to install Jackpot Blitz machines at its Dakota Dunes and Gold Horse Casino properties, located in Saskatoon and Lloydminster, respectively.
Jackpot CEO Jake Kalpakian said: “We are excited to receive approval as a gaming equipment supplier in Saskatchewan. This represents the first major jurisdictional, non-tribal license received by Jackpot during our continuing expansion into the land-based casino market. We have many more license applications underway in the US and other Canadian provinces, which will dramatically impact our ability to accelerate the rollout of Jackpot Blitz across North America.”
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