Allwyn has appointed Francesco Rodano, previously of Playtech, 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, more recently, chief sustainable gambling officer from January 2022 to August 2026. His leadership in player-protection initiatives included the implementation of BetBuddy, an AI-driven behavioral analytics platform aimed at identifying and mitigating risky gambling behaviors.
Before joining the private sector, Rodano spent almost ten years as the director of remote gaming at Italy’s Agenzia Dogane e Monopoli, where he was vital in developing Italy's national online gaming regulations and collaborating with international regulatory organizations. Additionally, he contributed as a member of an EU expert group on gaming issues.
With 20 years in the gaming sector, Rodano stated during an interview on Allwyn's LinkedIn page that he has tackled player protection from various angles. His new role is seen as a reflection of Allwyn’s dedication to responsible gaming, which is embedded in its growth strategy. The company currently holds Level 4 accreditation, the highest possible, under the World Lottery Association’s responsible gaming framework.
Robert Chvátal, Allwyn’s CEO, commented that Rodano's appointment supports the company’s long-term vision of integrating integrity and player safety into its products and markets. Rodano expressed enthusiasm for scaling responsible gaming initiatives at Allwyn, noting that the company can learn from its diverse market operations.
This appointment follows several leadership changes within Allwyn, including Phil Walker's appointment to head the UK business, Katie Harbron’s recruitment as director of games in the UK, and Khalid Reede Jones’ selection as CEO for North America.
