SiGMA congratulates the industry’s star moves of the week.
BetGames appoints Adam Lahouiri as Head of Product to drive content development
Adam Lahouiri has been appointed Head of Product for BetGames.
Gaming provider BetGames, has announced the appointment of Adam Lahouiri as its Head of Product. The strategic move aims to support the company’s content development initiatives.
Bringing with him a wealth of industry experience, Lahouiri joins BetGames from Entain, where he played a pivotal role in leading key product developments. Notably, he was instrumental in creating successful live dealer games and launching Ladbrokes’ live lobby platform, Game Show World, in collaboration with the in-house product team of the Entain brand.
In his new position, Lahouiri will be tasked with spearheading BetGames’ ambitious content rollout while enhancing the existing product portfolio and customer development tools. His expertise will help to ensure the company remains competitive.
Ian Catchick, Chief Product and Business Development Officer at BetGames, expressed enthusiasm over the appointment, stating, “Adam joining our team is a major boost to our ongoing product development efforts. His skills and knowledge will be invaluable to the evolving demands of our goals to create new live and RNG content, both key areas that match the changing needs of our players.”
The appointment aligns with BetGames’ strategy of providing a bespoke service to? players,. Lahouiri’s proven track record in the fields of creativity and innovation will contribute to the provider’s reputation for delivering exceptional live dealer and betting games content.
Commenting on his new role, Adam Lahouiri said, “Joining a truly tier-one supplier brand like BetGames is an incredible opportunity for me to leverage my experience in creating just the same kind of content that they themselves have become renowned for. I’m thoroughly looking forward to getting started on bringing all my knowledge to bear on BetGames’ exciting content plans and doing my part to keep it at the fore of Live Casino experiences.”
Lahouiri started his career in gaming at BetVictor where he was based in Gibraltar for two years. He then spent three years with Extreme Live Gaming in London before returing to Gibraltar to take up a position with GVC Group.
The appointment of Adam Lahouiri as Head of Product signifies a significant step for BetGames in achieving its growth and revenue objectives. The company is focused on providing long-term, sustainable entertainment for players while delivering innovative live dealer and RNG content that stands out in the industry.
Codere appoints Luis Villalba as Chief Financial Officer
Luis Villalba is Chief Financial Officer at Codere
Spanish gaming and betting company Codere has announced the appointment of Luis Villalba as its new Chief Financial Officer. This strategic move comes as a result of the departure of óscar Fernández de Llano from the position due to personal reasons, having served in the role for less than a year.
With a wealth of experience in the financial sector spanning over the last 25 years, Luis Villalba is well-equipped to assume the responsibilities of CFO at Codere. His track record includes previous roles as CFO and a member of the executive committee at the Spanish olive oil processing company, Deoleo Group. This experience has provided him with the expertise required in his new role.
Villalba has held key positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he served as Chief Financial Officer, showcasing his proficiency in handling financial matters for major organizations.
The appointment of Villalba aligns with Codere’s ongoing restructuring efforts, which were set into motion with the recent appointment of Gonzaga Higuero as CEO. As the gaming and betting industry continues to evolve, Codere appears committed to bolstering its leadership team with accomplished professionals to steer the company towards continued success.
With Luis Villalba now at the financial helm, Codere aims to tap into his extensive experience and expertise, capitalizing on his financial acumen to drive growth and enhance the company’s position in the competitive gaming and betting market.
Villalba graduated from the University of Madrid with a degree in Economics. He gained an MBA from Esade.
Rank Interactive appoints Sam Allanson as Chief Financial Officer
Sam Allanson has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of Rank Interactive.
Rank Interactive has announced the appointment of Sam Allanson to the role of Chief Financial Officer. Allanson is currently Commercial Finance Director at Entain. He will join The Rank Group later this year, bringing with him a wealth of experience in implementing value-adding financial strategies within the gambling industry.
Based in Gibraltar, Allanson will continue to operate from this strategic location while reporting directly to Richard Harris, CFO of The Rank Group. Harris expressed his delight about the new appointment and referred to Allanson’s expertise in consumer-facing businesses, particularly in the betting and gaming sector.
Prior to his role at Entain, Allanson held the position of Commercial Finance Director at Ladbrokes, a tenure that commenced after the merger of Ladbrokes and Coral and concluded before the company’s acquisition by GVC. His notable background also includes a senior management role at Sky.
In response to his appointment, Sam Allanson commented, “Rank Interactive is an exciting place to be right now in the betting and gaming industry. Drawing from my previous experience in the sector, I look forward to contributing to Rank Interactive’s ongoing success and supporting the finance team in delivering the ambitious plans that Rank has for its digital growth. I am excited to be part of a senior management team with such a clear vision for growth.”
The latest addition to the management team comes shortly after Rank’s announcement of Andrew Peat as Managing Director of the Interactive division. Peat, expected to assume the leadership role later this year, brings his extensive experience from William Hill, where he most recently served as Sportsbook Director from 2018 to 2023.
Rank Interactive’s strategic appointments reflect the company’s determination to excel in the highly competitive betting and gaming industry. With a strong senior management team in place, the company aims to realize its ambitious growth plans to maintain its position in the digital gaming landscape.
Allanson graduated from Cambridge University in 2002 with a Master of Arts in Law. He began his career as a Business Analyst with Kingfisher plc where he spent eight years.
Videoslots appoints Marco Trucco as new Chief Marketing Officer
Marco Trucco is the new CMO of VideoSlots.
Malta-based casino operator Videoslots has appointed Marco Trucco as its new Chief Marketing Officer. Marco’s impressive 16 years of experience within the iGaming sector is expected to significantly enhance the brand’s market presence.
Before joining Videoslots, Marco served as the Managing Director of GGPoker, where he successfully established the European hub in Malta and led the expansion of the poker operator into several European Union markets. Prior to this, he held the position of Associate Director of International Marketing at The Stars Group, where he spearheaded the acquisition efforts for renowned brands PokerStars and PokerStars Casino, following his tenure as Italy Country Manager.Having embarked on his gaming career in 2007, Marco’s journey included holding various management positions in Italy, notably as Gaming Director at Eurobet. This wealth of experience further solidifies his expertise within the iGaming industry.
Videoslots has its sights on reinforcing operations in Spain, Italy, and Latin America, alongside expansion into new markets such as Ontario.
Ulle Skottling, Deputy CEO at Videoslots, expressed confidence in the appointment, stating, “The role of CMO is a vital part of any business, especially for us at Videoslots, and we believe we are in good hands with Marco at the helm. Marco has nearly two decades worth of experience, working in various parts of Europe, and his understanding of the sector fits in perfectly with our ambitions.”
Marco Trucco commented, “It is an honor to be appointed CMO at one of the industry’s best operators. My role is to raise Videoslots’ exposure to the growing number of online casino players who demand a superior product and great customer service. I’ll make the best use of my experience and creativity, with the intention of bolstering Videoslots across many markets globally.”
Trucco graduated in International Law from the University of Torino and followed an executive development programme at the University of Nevada in Reno where he studied strategic leadership in gaming.
