Slingo boss Roberts joins Sportech board
Rich Roberts will serve as non-exec director as John Barnes steps down from role after eight years' service
Social gaming veteran and current Slingo CEO Rich Roberts has been appointed as a non-executive director of Sportech as it looks to evolve its US business.
Roberts (pictured) has been chief executive of Slingo, the gaming firm which was sold to RealNetworks for $15.6m in July, since July 2010 and Sportech chairman Roger Withers said the appointment reflected its evolving business and growing online presence in the US market.
Sportech recently dumped its UK-facing gaming product Vernons, however, it is understood to be close to announcing a partner to launch B2C gaming in the US. CEO Ian Penrose told eGaming Review the appointment of Roberts was not linked to the formation of the company’s US gaming partnership.
The company currently offers B2C horseracing betting in one US state and B2B wagering services across many others.
“I am delighted to welcome Rich to the Sportech Board,” Withers said. “Rich’s experience and business knowledge within the mobile, social and iGaming markets, will be of considerable benefit to the Group.”
Roberts’ appointment comes as long-serving non-exec John Barnes steps down from the company’s board. Barnes joined the board in November 2005.
“I would like to thank John for his support and advice over the last eight years. During that time, Sportech has been transformed from a heavily indebted declining UK business, into one of the world’s leading pools and tote gaming Groups,” Penrose said.