The gaming and prediction market industries are in a constant state of flux, and recent weeks have seen significant shifts in leadership across various companies. Every week, SBC Americas highlights important hires and movements within North American operators and suppliers.
In the latest development, Steve Goodsell has exited his position as Chief Technology Officer at Crypto.com | Derivatives North America (CDNA). Since joining the firm in March 2022, his departure marks a troubling trend as he becomes the fourth C-suite executive to leave CDNA within the past year. Goodsell announced on LinkedIn that his exit was not voluntary, stating, "Sadly, due to yet another cost saving round in the parent company, my time at NADEX/CDNA has come to an involuntary end."
Crypto.com has faced significant turbulence, with previous departures including CEO Travis McGhee, who was succeeded by COO Marcus Dees, as well as Chief Compliance and Regulatory Officer Kevin Dan and Chief Risk Officer Wen Jiang.
Meanwhile, Hard Rock Digital recently expanded its operations into Canada by launching Hard Rock Bet in Ontario, the brand's first venture outside the U.S. For this expansion, Hard Rock has recruited Paul Adams, who previously served as the senior manager of casino operations at BetMGM. Adams will take on the role of director of Ontario revenue at Hard Rock Digital, expressing enthusiasm about joining the team on LinkedIn: "I’m joining a very talented group and am excited to help build Hard Rock’s business in Canada. There’s a lot of opportunity ahead, and I’m looking forward to being part of the team that builds it."
Hard Rock Bet launched its sportsbook and casino platform in Ontario on July 22, somewhat mirroring its established presence in the U.S., and is now active in three North American markets. Notably, Hard Rock International operates a physical casino in Ottawa.
In regulatory news, the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) has announced the election of Dr. Ida Magdalena López of Argentina to its board of trustees. Dr. López, who has served as president of the Instituto Provincial de Juegos y Casinos de Mendoza (IPJyC) since 2019, will bring a unique perspective to the IAGR. IAGR Vice President Brian Krolicki noted that her insights will enhance the organization's engagement on critical regulatory issues globally, particularly in South America, a region increasingly recognized for its regulatory innovations.
Midnite, a UK and Ireland gaming operator, is also looking to enter the Canadian market. Midnite recently announced its expansion plans, bringing in former FanDuel Canada Commercial Director Dale Tang to spearhead these initiatives. The company has further extended its staff with the recruitment of Willie Lok, the former VP of Product for Casino & Loyalty at FanDuel, who will be directing Midnite's casino products and loyalty offerings while aiming to establish the brand as a leader in the industry. Founder and CEO Nick Wright commented, "Having someone with his level of product and industry expertise join our team is a huge milestone for us as we look to scale Midnite into a next-gen tier 1 global operator."
Finally, Onyx Odds has appointed Nicholas Green, former General Counsel at Underdog, as its inaugural general counsel. This move is part of Onyx’s efforts to enhance its prediction markets operations, following a successful $20 million Series A funding round in June. Green's previous experience will be crucial as he oversees legal and compliance matters while helping to launch Onyx’s predicted market product. Onyx Predictions LLC is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and is a member of the National Futures Association.
Adding to the shifts in the industry, Michael Waterfield, who served as Senior Vice President at White Hat Studios, has joined Booming Games as Chief Commercial Officer. After nearly five years at White Hat, where he contributed to significant growth, Waterfield steps in as Booming Games aims for regulatory approvals in major global markets in the next two years, while continuing to develop its presence in the North American online casino landscape.
