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Alexander Martin (CEO SKS365) at ICE 365: “The Post-Covid Future in the Retail Betting Sector Is Omnichannel”
“Retail will remain a key part of the gambling ecosystem in Europe. In such a hard time for the betting shops, SKS365 has concentrated its energy to set up the best way to relaunch the shops, which will reopen with new and improved services “
The outlook for the retail betting shops in Europe, which have been affected by the Covid-19 lockdown and by local limitations in terms of the number of shops and distances from sensitives area, was the main topic of discussion during the virtual panel “The Future of Retail”. This online conference is part of the ICE 365 content series, a free-to-access deep-dive into sector-specific insight, analysis and exclusive content delivered by Clarion Gaming in partnership with recognised industry experts and thought leaders.
Alexander Martin, CEO at SKS365, sees the future still bright for the betting shops, despite the current challenges. He is confident in that retail will remain a key part of the gambling ecosystem, if the operators will adapt and evolve to their new circumstances. “The key to staying ahead of the game is linking the offering between the offline and the online channel and vice versa. Offering an omni-channel experience allows customers to have both options and therefore to choose which channel best suits them at that particular time. In addition, it raises security and trust by creating a cohesive, seamless, personalized gaming experience that makes interactions consistent, easy, and fun. For this reason, during the first lockdown we invested in new retail functionalities and products such as the self-service betting terminals to make our shops more interactive and digital. During the current lockdown we have taken a similar approach, so when our shops will be allowed to reopen, our customers will find again more innovative services, offerings in newly designed shops”.
Speaking about changes of the gaming scenario, that has registered an increasing popularity of online gambling, given the impossibility to play in the brick and mortal venues, Martin said: “Certainly, the lockdown has been an accelerator for the online transition. However, our recent survey, clearly showed that traditional shop customers will return to the shops. Many answered that they will use in the future our omni-channel offering, nevertheless some are very happy with the pure shop offering. Our land-based customers are very loyal and they like our shops, the atmosphere and enjoy the exchange with like-minded people. It is a hub for them to connect with each other as well as our entertaining services. Sports betting is very much sharing thoughts and ideas about teams and plays”.
Having said that, high-street bookies will certainly have to find new ways to attract customers back and according to Martin it is crucial to invest in the venues both from a design and from a technological point of view: “Our goal at Planetwin365 is to offer the most entertaining retail experience. We are ready to compete with all other places people can go to such as bars, restaurants, bowling alleys or cinemas. Our betting shops are places where people do not go only to place a bet, but also for the joy of being there. Nowadays, customers expect to find the same offer and features on each channel, and it is vital to keep investing in the retail channel, as we are doing, to bridge the gap with the online and enhance the customers experience in the shops”.
Carlo Santarelli
Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. Names Carlo Santarelli Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations

Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. announced that Carlo Santarelli has been appointed Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations, a new position at the Company. Mr. Santarelli will begin his new position on August 18, 2025 and will report to GLPI President and Chief Operating Officer, Brandon Moore.
Mr. Santarelli brings over 25 years of Wall Street experience in Equity Research and Investment Banking to his new role and joins the Company from Deutsche Bank where he was Managing Director of Gaming & Lodging Equity Research. Prior to Deutsche Bank, Mr. Santarelli held similar positions at Bear Stearns, JP Morgan and Wells Fargo. He consistently ranked highly in Institutional Investor and other sell-side analyst research polls as a thought leader in the space, providing unique perspectives on industry events and trends with his data-driven approach and stock picking talent. Carlo Santarelli graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Economics in 2000.
Peter Carlino, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GLPI, said: “We’ve known and respected Carlo’s research work on the gaming, lodging and gaming REIT sectors for many years. Carlo brings to GLPI an in-depth knowledge of the industry and its participants, having experienced GLPI’s original formation of the gaming triple-net-REIT structure from a research analyst and capital markets perspective. We value his deep network of contacts among institutional investors, sell-side analysts and a wide range of gaming industry operators and we look forward to the value of his contributions.”
In his new role, Mr. Santarelli will work with Mr. Carlino and GLPI’s senior management to develop and evaluate growth opportunities and strategic relationships, and will oversee investor relations interactions.
The post Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. Names Carlo Santarelli Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Industry News
VIP Play Announces Departure of Chief Financial Officer

VIP Play, a technology-driven leader in interactive consumer engagement, announced that Jim Mackey, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, will step down from his role, effective August 8, 2025.
The Company has initiated a transition process and is in the process of identifying a successor. Mackey will assist in an orderly transition over the coming weeks.
“We thank Jim for his contributions to the Company, particularly during a transformative period for our business. We remain focused on executing our strategic priorities, including financial visibility, operating efficiency, and delivering value to our stakeholders,” said Les Ottolenghi, CEO of VIP Play.
The post VIP Play Announces Departure of Chief Financial Officer appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
eSports
Esports Charts Becomes Official Viewership Analytics Partner of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

Esports Charts, the leading esports viewership analytics provider, has partnered with StarLadder, a pioneering tournament organiser. The Budapest Major 2025 marks a highly anticipated comeback for StarLadder, as it is their first Counter-Strike Major since 2019 and a significant return to the top-tier esports arena.
As the official analytics partner of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, Esports Charts will provide comprehensive, real-time audience data and insights throughout the event. This will empower organisers, teams, sponsors and fans with unparalleled transparency and a deeper understanding of the tournament’s global reach.
Artyom Odintsov, Co-founder and CEO of Esports Charts, said: “We are thrilled and proud to provide viewership analytics for StarLadder for the Budapest Major 2025. Since both Esports Charts and StarLadder are Ukraine-born companies, we share similar values and deal with similar challenges, which brings us even closer.
“It’s genuinely exciting to follow how viewership will develop at this Major. But knowing the expertise, drive, and passion that the organizers are bringing, I have no doubt we’ll witness some incredible things happen in Budapest.
“Esports Charts has always been driven by a mission to provide the esports community with accurate, actionable data, and we look forward to showcasing the impact and audience engagement of this world-class event.”
StarLadder has been a driving force in global esports for almost 15 years now, since hosting its first tournaments in 2011. Renowned for its innovation and reliability, the company has organised some of the industry’s most iconic events. These include the StarLadder Berlin Major 2019, which accumulated over 44 million hours watched and remains in the top 10 CS events by this metric, and the legendary StarSeries tournaments which started back in 2012.
Viacheslav Shcherbakov, Sales and Partnerships at StarLadder, said: “We’ve been working with Esports Charts since their founding and have always valued their professionalism and integrity. In a market where reliable data is essential, Esports Charts provides honest, transparent numbers, exactly the kind of insights sponsors and stakeholders rely on when assessing the potential reach of a World Championship event.
“We’re confident that this partnership will result in a high-quality analysis of our tournament’s performance and the audience data we’ll report to our partners. It’s a collaboration built on trust, shared values, and a deep understanding of what it takes to elevate esports to the next level.”
The Starladder Budapest Major 2025 will be held from November 24 to December 14 in Budapest, Hungary. The event will bring together the world’s top 32 Counter-Strike 2 teams to compete for a $1.25 million prize pool and one of the most prestigious titles in esports.
The post Esports Charts Becomes Official Viewership Analytics Partner of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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