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Checkd Group adds pocket pair of new poker recruits

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Lee Johnston and Sophia Darling appointed at ambitious iGaming business

Fast-growing iGaming business Checkd Group has drawn itself a winning hand with the appointment of two new hires to its Checkd Media poker division.

Lee Johnston has joined the Manchester-based company as its new Poker Manager, with Sophia Darling installed as new Poker Executive. The pair will lead Checkd’s poker strategy, which is spearheaded by the popular Footy Accumulators Poker League, powered by PokerStars.

Johnston is a highly experienced figure in the poker industry, who as Head of Events for Ace King Group led live and tournament marketing projects for global brands PPPoker and KKPoker across Europe, Asia and LatAm. He also created VGC Poker, one of the biggest poker rooms in the north of the UK, and also held a role as manager at bwin.party’s World Poker Tour.

Darling has previous experience of working as a Freelance Data Analyst and Content Creator at PokerStars and will assist the push to further grow a segment that has been a hit for Checkd Media’s 1.5 million-strong social community.

The Footy Accumulators Poker League allows players to compete for weekly and monthly leaderboard prizes, with over £10,000 given away each month. Originally launched during lockdown, Checkd Media recently signed a new long-term deal with PokerStars to freshen up the tournaments, content and sign-up offers.

Checkd Media Managing Director Alex Beecham said: “The Footy Accumulators Poker League continues to go from strength to strength and has been given fresh momentum through the new partnership with PokerStars, the largest real money online poker site in the world.

“Lee and Sophia both bring with them significant knowledge and experience from the poker world. We are excited to have them on board as we continue to grow what has quickly become an essential element within our varied product mix and one that drives traffic while providing rich entertainment for our communities.”

Checkd Media Poker Manager Lee Johnston said: “The development of the Footy Accumulators Poker League has been widely noted within the poker industry and my aim is to take it forward to the next level.

“This is an exciting time to join a business that has real ambition and I can’t wait to get started.”

Checkd Media Poker Executive Sophia Darling said: “It has been fascinating to see how the Footy Accumulators Poker League has grown since it came into being during lockdown.

“It is clear that there is still a strong demand for poker from the social community and our aim is to serve up the slickest entertainment possible, offering some great prizes while increasing traffic for our partners.”

 

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BETBY ACHIEVES GLI CERTIFICATION FOR PERU, EXPANDING ITS FOOTPRINT IN LATIN AMERICA’S REGULATED MARKETS

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BETBY, a top-tier sports betting supplier, has received certification from Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) to provide its sportsbook solution in Peru’s regulated market. This certification marks another significant milestone in BETBY’s continued expansion across Latin America.

With the Peruvian government formalizing its regulated sports betting framework, GLI certification has emerged as a crucial requirement for providers aiming to serve licensed operators in the country. BETBY is now authorized to deliver its innovative and tailored sportsbook solutions in Peru’s rapidly expanding regulated betting market.

GLI’s certification, recognized as a benchmark for excellence, validates BETBY’s ability to meet Peru’s strict technical requirements, including those related to sportsbook functionality, information security management systems, and information security standards. Peru’s regulatory framework is primarily based on GLI-33 certification, which BETBY successfully achieved in early 2025. As a result, the company was well-positioned to swiftly meet the country’s compliance standards.

“Peru represents a key step in our broader Latin American growth strategy, as the region continues to adopt clearer regulatory frameworks for online sports betting,” said Ilze Ramolina, Head of Legal & Compliance at BETBY. “Securing GLI certification for this market, which has a growing digital infrastructure and tech-savvy audience, allows us to support licensed operators in launching compliant and competitive offerings from day one. This is yet another step forward in our mission to deliver tailored, localized solutions that meet both local requirements and regional expectations across the region.”

This achievement follows BETBY’s previous certification for the Brazilian market, solidifying its presence in two of Latin America’s most promising jurisdictions. The supplier’s flexible and highly localised sportsbook platform, combined with its commitment to compliance, positions it as a trusted partner for operators looking to thrive in newly regulated environments.

By entering the Peruvian market, BETBY continues to demonstrate its strategic focus on Latin America, providing hyper-localized, engaging, and secure sports betting experiences for both operators and players.

To find out more about BETBY, visit: https://betby.com/

The post BETBY ACHIEVES GLI CERTIFICATION FOR PERU, EXPANDING ITS FOOTPRINT IN LATIN AMERICA’S REGULATED MARKETS appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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HIPTHER Welcomes Daniela Zelená as New Marketing & Community Engagement Coordinator

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HIPTHER, the leading media and events hub connecting Gaming and Technology sectors across Europe and beyond, is thrilled to officially announce that Daniela Zelená has joined the team as Marketing & Community Engagement Coordinator.

Daniela, who most recently served as Event Marketing Manager at Endorphina, brings with her a wealth of industry experience, creativity, and a deep understanding of community-driven engagement. Her passion for authentic connection and audience-first thinking perfectly aligns with HIPTHER’s mission to elevate both digital and in-person experiences across its events, media, and community initiatives.

Daniela officially joined the HIPTHER team one month ago and has already become an integral part of our fast-moving ecosystem. From leading communications across key channels to launching new community formats and audience engagement strategies, she is helping shape the next phase of HIPTHER’s expansion.

Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER, commented: ”Daniela’s experience, energy, and approach to marketing and community-building is exactly what HIPTHER needs as we grow. We’re building something unique here, and we are excited to have her on this journey with us.”

With Daniela’s expertise and vision, HIPTHER is further strengthening its commitment to creative content, meaningful industry dialogue, and a vibrant community that goes beyond events.

Join us in welcoming Daniela to team #hipthers, and stay tuned as we continue to roll out new initiatives designed to connect and inspire the Gaming & TECH community in bold new ways.

 

About HIPTHER

HIPTHER is the leading conference organizer and media agency for Gaming and Technology industries across Europe and the Americas. Through its events, digital media platforms, and original content, HIPTHER connects innovators, operators, and thought leaders across Gaming, eSports, Fintech, Blockchain, AI, and more.

For more information, visit www.hipther.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

The post HIPTHER Welcomes Daniela Zelená as New Marketing & Community Engagement Coordinator appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Thunderkick’s portfolio makes Ontario debut through SkillOnNet brands

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Global entertainment brand SkillOnNet is deepening its existing partnership with Stockholm-based game studio Thunderkick to launch the developer’s unique, engaging slot titles in Ontario.

The Canadian province is one of the most exciting regulated markets in North America, and the Ontario players will now gain access to Thunderkick’s full portfolio of highly acclaimed games via SkillOnNet-powered online casino brands such as PlayOJO, SlotsMagic, and SpinGenie.

Thunderkick is known for its independent, boundary-pushing slot games like Pink Elephants, Esqueleto Explosivo, and Beat the Beast and has established a strong reputation for creativity and originality in the iGaming space. The deal allows the studio to further expand its global footprint while giving Ontario players the chance to enjoy a fresh wave of premium content.

Ontario’s regulated online gaming market, which officially opened in 2022, has quickly become a key market for the iGaming industry, and SkillOnNet was among the first brands to secure licensing in the province. The expansion reinforces SkillOnNet’s commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment in regulated markets globally.

Jani Kontturi at SkillOnNet said: “Thunderkick has been a key partner of ours in other markets, and we’re delighted to bring their outstanding content to Ontario. This region is fast becoming a vital part of our operations, and we’re confident players here will respond just as positively to Thunderkick’s games as they have elsewhere.”

Mariam Dodosh, Account Manager at Thunderkick said: “We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with SkillOnNet and enter the Ontario market together. Our games have a track record of strong performance, and we’re excited to see them go live in one of the most dynamic new regions in iGaming.”

The post Thunderkick’s portfolio makes Ontario debut through SkillOnNet brands appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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