Leadership Changes in Betting and Gaming Industry

Author:

Olivia Phillips

|Published: January 9th, 2024

As the new year unfolds, the betting and gaming industry witnesses a series of changes in executive roles and board positions. Notable among these transitions are the departure of Kambi co-founder and CEO Kristian Nylen and the exit of Enthusiast Gaming's CEO Nick Brien.

Kambi CEO Transition

Kambi co-founder Kristian Nylen has decided to step down from his role as CEO. Nylen, who played a pivotal role in forming the company in 2010 after a decade with Kindred Group, will remain with Kambi until his successor assumes the position. Nylen stated that his decision is driven by a desire to spend more time with his growing family.

The departure aligns with Kambi's upcoming launch of Tzeract, a new brand for the company's AI-powered trading division. Plans also include the addition of in-play tennis and soccer to the A.I. trading division by the end of the first quarter. The board of directors at Kambi has witnessed changes, with Nylen and Benjie Cherniak, an igaming industry advisor and investor, elected as new members. Anders Strom assumes the role of the new chair of the Kambi board.

Enthusiast Gaming CEO Change

Enthusiast Gaming has announced the immediate departure of CEO Nick Brien. Board chair Adrian Montgomery, who stepped down from the CEO position in March 2023, will serve as the interim CEO. Hampus Eriksson, formerly Chief Product Officer at PressEnter Group, has been promoted to Deputy CEO. Eriksson played a crucial role in overseeing the regulated market launch in Ontario.

Other Notable Changes

Nick Dutton, an industry veteran, takes on the role of Chief Operating Officer at Fitzdares, an Ontario-licensed operator.
Natasha Questel joins BCLC as Chief Social Purpose Officer and Vice President of Marketing, commencing on January 22.
Michail Koutsoukos, formerly associated with Kaizen Gaming and Kindred Group, assumes the position of Head of Customer Engagement at Boylesports.

These shifts in leadership highlight the dynamic nature of the betting and gaming sector as organizations adapt to new opportunities and challenges.