The Global Gaming Awards EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) is an annual event that recognizes outstanding achievements in the gaming industry within the specified regions. The award categories include best games, gaming hardware, technology providers, and industry professionals.
The Global Gaming Awards are organized by Gambling Insider. It is a leading B2B (business-to-business) publication in the gaming industry. The awards ceremony aims to acknowledge excellence and innovation across different aspects of the gaming world. It brings together industry leaders, professionals, and experts to celebrate and honor noteworthy contributions to the gaming sector. The Global Gaming Awards EMEA 2024 shortlisted for executive. Here is what we know so far.
Global Gaming Awards EMEA 2024: Shortlist for Executive of the Year Revealed
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Marina Ostrovtsova, CEO, BGaming
As one of the industry’s youngest CEOs, Marina Ostrovtsova has led BGaming to international expansion and commercial success. Her vision and leadership have strengthened BGaming’s brand image and fostered remarkable growth.
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Jesper Søgaard, CEO & Co-Founder, Better Collective
Jesper Søgaard’s strategic leadership has propelled Better Collective to new heights in the gaming affiliate space. Through a series of shrewd acquisitions, Søgaard has steered the company to solid growth, making it arguably the world’s biggest gaming affiliate.
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Uri Poliavich, CEO, Soft2Bet
Uri Poliavich, the founder of Soft2Bet, has been a driving force behind its success since its establishment in 2016. Under his leadership, the company has expanded into seven new markets, solidifying its position as a leading global B2B and B2C iGaming company.
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Tsachi Maimon, President, NeoGames
Tsachi Maimon’s impact on NeoGames has been monumental, marked by substantial global expansion and key acquisitions. His leadership role in overseeing NeoGames’ acquisition by industry giant Aristocrat underscores his strategic vision and influence in the gaming industry. In addition, when he was CEO of Aspire Global, he made a great impact.
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Karolina Pelc, Founder & CEO, BeyondPlay
Karolina Pelc’s entrepreneurial spirit shines as the Founder and CEO of BeyondPlay. With over 20 years of experience in the gaming industry, Pelc has quickly established BeyondPlay as one of the most intriguing ventures. It secured investor interest and launching innovative products.
Her Jackpot product has been launched on over 15 leading brands since last summer, with prominent customers secured for H1 2024.
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Kevin Reid, CEO, 1X2 Network
Kevin Reid’s leadership at 1X2 Network has transformed the company from an underdog to an industry heavyweight while maintaining its independent status. Under his guidance, the company has launched innovative brands and expanded into regulated markets, rivaling larger players in the sector.
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Cheryl Jones, President, Europe, Odds on Compliance
Cheryl Jones has played a critical role in the success of Odds on Compliance, particularly with the launch of PlayBook Europe. Her leadership has expanded the company’s reach across 30 European territories, establishing a strong presence in the EU market.
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Iain Hutchison, CRO, Digitain
With over 20 years of experience building and scaling successful technology start-ups in sports betting and digital marketing, Iain Hutchison has led Digitain’s sales team since February 2023.
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Josh Morris, SVP of Product and Technology, Anaxi
Josh Morris has been a dynamic force at Anaxi since joining in February 2023. His strategic acumen and industry insight have steered Anaxi towards new heights in its growth, expanding into six countries and managing a diverse portfolio of over 215 titles.
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Shelley Hannah, CPO, Relax Gaming
Shelley Hannah has been instrumental to Relax Gaming’s success throughout the years. Serving as the Director of Casino Products and later being promoted to Chief Product Officer in 2023, she played a key role in expanding the brand’s Powered By Relax and Silver Bullet aggregation streams.
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Simon Thomas, Executive Chairman, The Hippodrome Casino
Simon Thomas, as the Executive Chairman of The Hippodrome Casino, has played a key role in negotiations with the UK Government to revise the Gambling Act. His efforts have highlighted the economic and social benefits of entertainment-led casinos, contributing to the sector’s potential for long-term expansion. At the same time, he has addressed social responsibility concerns and sustainability concerns. As a result of his contribution, both single-site and multi-site operators can expect long term expansion.
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Marinos Shiapanis, CEO and Co-Founder, Campeόn Gaming
Marinos Shiapanis is a remarkable leader who has driven Campeόn Gaming to new heights. The company achieved an impressive 47% growth in the last 12 months, entered new markets, and launched seven new brands, all while maintaining a fantastic company culture.
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Jennifer Innes, CEO, BettingJobs
With over 16 years of experience in the iGaming industry, Jennifer Innes is a highly respected and influential leader. As the CEO of BettingJobs, she has grown the company, directed successful projects and partnerships, and continues to mentor new team members, establishing BettingJobs as a premier recruitment solutions provider.
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Nadia Popova, CRO & VP Sales & Marketing, EGT
Since assuming the role of Chief Revenue Officer in 2021, Nadia Popova has been instrumental in EGT’s commercial success. Responsible for revenue generation processes, she has helped establish EGT as a leading supplier in Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
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Elena Shaterova, CCO, 7777 Gaming
Elena Shaterova focuses on expanding 7777 Gaming’s online casino products worldwide with over a decade of international experience. With her leadership, the company has secured deals in various regulated markets.
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Irina Cornides, COO, Pragmatic Play
Irina Cornides, as COO at Pragmatic Play since 2022, has driven growth across the company’s international business. Under her leadership, Pragmatic Play has expanded its presence in key and emerging markets, delivering innovative slot titles, Live Casino, Virtual Sports, and Bingo games.
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Jesper Svensson, CEO, Betsson Group
As CEO of Betsson Group since 2017, Jesper Svensson has propelled the company to new heights, achieving fantastic financial results in 2023. Under his leadership, Betsson has experienced consecutive quarters of growth, record revenue, and earnings.
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Erwin van Lambaart, CEO, Casinos Austria
In 2022, Erwin van Lambaart assumed the role of CEO of Casinos Austria and Austrian Lotteries after a successful tenure at Holland Casino. In addition to chairing the European Casino Association, he emphasizes entertainment value and launched a new social responsibility program called ‘Playsponsible.’
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Gustaf Hagman, Founder & CEO, LeoVegas Group
Gustaf Hagman, the Founder and CEO of LeoVegas Group, identified an untapped niche in the industry over a decade ago—the mobile casino. Under his leadership, LeoVegas became the “King of Casino” across European markets, and following the acquisition by MGM Resorts in 2022, Hagman is tasked with growing MGM internationally through LeoVegas.
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Sam Sadi, CEO, LiveScore Group
The CEO of LiveScore Group, Sam Sadi, has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s convergence strategy to connect sports media and betting. He has led LiveScore to significant revenue growth and increased employee headcount under his leadership.
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Brooks Pierce, President & CEO, Inspired Entertainment
Brooks Pierce has contributed significantly to Inspired Entertainment’s growth, culture, and team development since joining the company in 2018. He was promoted to President & Chief Executive Officer last year for his leadership across global markets.
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Matevž Mazij, CEO, Bragg
The founder of Oryx Gaming, Matev Mazij, played a pivotal role in its acquisition by Bragg Gaming Group in 2018. He became CEO of Bragg in 2023 after serving as CEO of Oryx Gaming. Strategic initiatives by Mazij include expanding into European, North American, and global regulated iGaming markets.
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Lisa O’Connor, Head of Safer Gambling Strategy, Flutter UK&I
In the UK & Ireland, Lisa O’Connor has been a key player in Flutter Entertainment’s responsible gambling efforts. In her current role, she is responsible for the design and delivery of Flutter’s safer gambling strategy, ensuring an active approach to responsible gaming.
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Daniela Johansson, Chief Responsibility Officer & Deputy CEO, Paf
Daniela Johansson has been involved in Paf’s responsible gaming strategy for more than a decade. She implemented lower loss limits for young customers, demonstrating a commitment to customer protection.
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Carsten Koerl, Founder & CEO, Sportradar
Since Sportradar was founded in 2001, Carsten Koerl has led its growth, making it a global leader in sports data and technology. Now listed on Nasdaq since 2021, Koerl’s company delivers game-changing products to clients in over 120 countries.
Final Words
Nominations, publicly disclosed in the official Shortlist magazine on GamblingInsider.com, provide specific reasons for each company and individual’s recognition. The final Shortlist is scrutinized by a panel of 50 C-level industry executives, ensuring transparency and fairness, with KPMG independently overseeing the voting process.
The Executive of the Year category, featuring 25 nominees, aims to acknowledge outstanding industry leaders. Winners will be revealed at the seventh edition of the Global Gaming Awards EMEA on February 5, presented at an invite-only ceremony in London’s Hippodrome Casino, with live streaming available on Gambling Insider’s website and LinkedIn page.
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