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The Unit and Red Knot Communications announce strategic alliance
The Unit, the leader in nearshore product development and marketing for sports betting and igaming, is entering a strategic alliance with Red Knot Communications, the PR and communications specialists in sports betting, igaming and general sports.
The partnership will allow both companies to align their strategies and expertise across several areas of operations, including PR and communications, branding, PPC, SEO, paid social, martech solutions and more. The Unit will expand its full-service marketing by adding Red Knot’s deep PR and media expertise, particularly in territories such as the US, Canada and LatAm.
Red Knot was founded in 2020 to operate at the intersection of sports, sports betting and gaming around the world with offices in the US, the UK, Latin America and the UAE. The Red Knot team works with the biggest media outlets and has amplified the profile of a diverse portfolio, including start-up sports leagues such as Major League Pickleball and Major League Cricket. Red Knot also works with sports betting and gaming companies such as 1st Technology, Angstrom Sports and PlayStar, as well as affiliate giants including Spotlight Sports Group and Playmaker Capital.
The first stage of the strategic alliance sees Mark O’Hare widen his responsibilities as Head of Business Development across both Red Knot and The Unit.
Mark possesses extensive industry experience in the betting and gaming sector, and since joining The Unit in 2018, he has spent time working and living in Ireland, France and the US. Mark manages several key client accounts for The Unit, assisting with SEO and PPC strategy and execution for the likes of Pala Interactive, NorthStar Bets and VIP Casino in Canada, LulaBet and PalaceBet in South Africa, Monkey Knife Fight and PlayStar Casino in the US, and BetRegal and Slotbox in Ireland.
Mark O’Hare said: “It’s a thrill to take on a new role with Red Knot as part of a very exciting project. I’ve really enjoyed my time with The Unit so far, and this collaboration with Red Knot feels like a fantastic opportunity to combine the strengths of both companies to the benefit of our clients. I look forward to working across both sides to ensure this partnership provides synergies and growth across a long-term period.”
Paddy Casey, Co-Founder at The Unit, said: “It’s fantastic to announce this strategic alliance with Red Knot. We have always found them to be a pleasure to work with, and their experience in PR and media in the gaming industry has already accelerated our own industry presence. At this point in the relationship, it feels like the perfect time to work together and make sure we can back each other in the best ways possible.
“Mark has been vital in supporting The Unit’s growth, having been with the company for most of its existence, and he will be the perfect figure to lead this new venture. I very much look forward to working with Mark further as this alliance gets off the ground.”
Andy Clerkson, Partner at Red Knot Communications, said: “I am delighted to launch our strategic alliance with The Unit. Our skill sets, target territories and client lists are totally complimentary. This global partnership crystallises a hive mind of two successful companies, comprised of very experienced gaming industry professionals who can super charge marketing for any B2C or B2B gaming or betting brand, anywhere in the world. We are very pleased to appoint Mark as Head of Business Development for the twin companies. It’s a clear signal of our intent.”
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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