Several comings and goings have taken place across the industry recently, as Entain, the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) and iGaming Ontario (iGO) are among those that have seen changes to their teams.
Entain
Entain has appointed Dafne Guisard as the company’s Chief Operations Officer, effective from 13 January 2025.
As COO, Guisard will be responsible for operational excellence, global strategic planning, customer service organisation and M&A integration.
“Dafne brings a wealth of experience in driving strategic growth and delivering transformation on a global scale,” commented Gavin Isaacs, CEO of Entain.
“Her appointment will help place Entain at the leading edge of innovation, as well as strengthen the executive management team as we build on a period of stronger-than-expected revenue growth and key market expansion. Dafne will be a tremendous asset to Entain.”
An advocate for the transformative power of technology, Guisard joins Entain from The Kraft Heinz Company. Here, she was Chief Strategy, Transformation and Digital Officer, leading the company’s global ten-year growth strategy, developing new operational models and driving digital transformation.
Before Kraft Heinz, she worked for nine years in various leadership positions at Anheuser-Busch InBev, eight years in management consulting and equities, and also co-founded a machine learning tech start-up.
Responsible Gambling Council
In an email to stakeholders, the Responsible Gambling Council announced the appointment of Sarah McCarthy as its next CEO, effective 6 January 2025.
Bringing 15 years of leadership experience to the position, McCarthy will be replacing Shelley White, who is stepping down from the position after announcing her retirement earlier this year in June.
McCarthy most recently served as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at the Rick Hansen Foundation, where she was responsible for strategic and operational planning, program implementation and the stewardship of impactful business development strategies.
She also led a team across four key departments of Accessibility Certification, Accessibility Advisory Services social enterprise, School Program and Marketing/Communications, helping to advance the foundation’s mission of accessibility and inclusion.
Before the Rick Hansen Foundation, McCarthy was the Executive Director at the International Society for Nurses in Cancer Care and other notable non-profits, driving advancements in policy and governance on an international scale, helping to influence policy development and setting global standards.
RGC’s Board Chair, Yvon Lemire, stated: “Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Sarah in her new role. We look forward to her contributions and leadership in achieving our strategic objectives and furthering our mission.”
Lemire also thanked White for her service to RGC and wished her well as she steps into retirement.
He said: “Shelley’s leadership has been transformative, steering the RGC through significant initiatives that have expanded our reach and deepened our impact.
“Her strategic foresight was instrumental in launching groundbreaking programs that have set industry standards in responsible gambling. Her passion for advocacy and her commitment to our cause have not only enriched our organisation but also the broader community we serve.
“As Shelley embarks on her well-earned retirement, we reflect on her legacy of innovation and leadership, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for her years of dedicated service.”
iGaming Ontario
iGaming Ontario has announced that it has begun its search for its next President and CEO.
To be based in Toronto, the successful candidate will succeed Martha Otton, who announced back in August that she would be retiring at the end of this year.
With the support of a dedicated team, iGO noted that the President and CEO will provide visionary leadership, strategic direction and operational oversight within the Canadian province’s igaming market.
Applicants can apply for the role through the Odgers Berndtson website.
Inspired Entertainment
Inspired Entertainment has appointed James Richardson as its next Chief Financial Officer, effective from 1 January 2025.
Richardson brings nearly 30 years of experience to Inspired, with knowledge in financial leadership, strategic planning, commercial development, corporate finance, M&A and operational management across various industries including online gaming, financial services and payments.
“We are thrilled to welcome James to the Inspired Entertainment team,” said Brooks Pierce, CEO of Inspired.
“James’s extensive background in financial reporting and governance for both US and UK publicly listed businesses, his strong financial management and his proven track record for driving growth, value creation, and technical accounting expertise make him an ideal fit for our company as we continue to execute our strategic initiatives and deliver value to our shareholders.
“The combination of James’ leadership and experience across multiple sectors, particularly the gaming industry, will allow him to make an immediate contribution.”
Richardson joins Inspired from Manchester Airports Group (MAG), where he oversaw financial operations for London Stansted and East Midlands airports as its Group Commercial Finance Director and Finance Director.
Before MAG, he was the Global Finance Director for William Hill plc’s online betting and gaming business. Beginning his career at PwC, he has also held senior financial positions at DFC Global Corp and Global Payments Inc.
Commenting on his new role, Richardson said: “I am excited to join Inspired Entertainment and contribute to its next phase of growth. I look forward to working with the talented team at Inspired to build on the company’s strong foundation and its ongoing expansion of its digital vertical in order to drive continued growth and success.”
Enteractive
Enteractive has appointed Lukasz Zebrowski as its new Head of Compliance.
Zebrowski brings experience in regulatory compliance to the role and will help Enteractive in providing safe, responsible and effective reactivation services to operators, tailored and compliant with regulatory requirements in each market.
“At Enteractive, my focus will be on aligning our services with the highest industry standards, ensuring regulatory alignment in all the markets we operate in,” commented Zebrowski.
“We are dedicated to maintaining a compliance-first approach, particularly in player protection and fraud prevention, with comprehensive training programs to uphold these values at every level.”
Andrew Foster, Chief Business Development Officer at Enteractive, added: “Lukasz’s expertise in navigating complex regulatory landscapes will strengthen our compliance efforts, helping us deliver even greater value to our clients across diverse jurisdictions.
“His leadership will ensure we maintain the highest standards in responsible gambling and fraud detection, reinforcing our commitment to safeguarding operators and their players.”
