Allwyn has confirmed the hiring of Francesco Rodano, a former Playtech executive, as its new group head of responsible gaming. Rodano brings nearly a decade of experience from Playtech, where he served as chief policy officer and later as chief sustainable gambling officer, overseeing global player protection initiatives from January 2022 until August 2026.
During his time at Playtech, he was key in implementing BetBuddy, an AI-driven behavioral analytics platform aimed at detecting and addressing potentially harmful gambling behaviors.
Prior to joining Playtech, Rodano spent almost ten years as the director of remote gaming at Italy's regulatory body, Agenzia Dogane e Monopoli, where he was pivotal in shaping the national online gaming framework and collaborating with international regulatory authorities. He also contributed as a member of a group of gaming experts established by the EU. This depth of experience means Rodano has been involved in the gaming industry for 20 years.
In an interview shared on Allwyn's LinkedIn page, Rodano expressed his comprehensive approach to player protection, stating that he has engaged with it "from every angle".
Allwyn stated that Rodano's appointment underscores its commitment to responsible gaming as part of its growth strategy. The company has achieved Level 4 accreditation— the highest level— under the World Lottery Association’s responsible gaming framework across its current businesses.
Robert Chvátal, CEO of Allwyn, remarked that this new role aligns with the company's long-term vision to integrate integrity and player safety into its operations. Rodano emphasized that with Allwyn's presence in various markets, there is a unique chance to share insights and improve player protection.
Rodano's hiring comes amid a series of leadership transitions at Allwyn, which has seen Phil Walker take charge of the UK business, Katie Harbron join as the director of games in the UK, and Khalid Reede Jones appointed as CEO for North America.
