People news 9 October 2014
The latest people news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (3 October to 9 October 2014)
Betfair “fully committed” to Gibraltar despite dual director exits
Operator pledges to “retain a presence” on peninsula as eGR learns of two senior departures from its Waterport Place offices
Betfair says it remains committed to retaining a presence in Gibraltar after eGaming Review learned two senior members of its Gibraltar-based operations exited the firm.
Director of gaming Matt Robinson and director of VIP Bernadette Edwards both left the operator last week while director of sports VIP Tim Edwards is also believed to leaving the firm.
Betfair COO Mark Brooker is said to have travelled to the peninsula to finalise the departures in a move which has reignited speculation the operator may be planning to withdraw or downsize its Gibraltar-based operations.
However, while declining to comment specifically on the departures, a spokesperson for Betfair rejected the suggestion the operator could be about to leave the peninsula.
Gala changes continue with new casino head
Gala Interactive has promoted head of social Gavin Grimes to the role of head of casino as the operator continues to reshuffle its management pack.
Grimes, who joined Gala in April 2013, will report into the operator’s recently appointed gaming director Alison Digges following the earlier departure of casino director Kasper Trier-Poulsen.
Digges had previously been Gala’s director of bingo but took on an extended brief this summer after Trier-Poulsen decided to relocate to the UK from Gala’s Gibraltar base.
Seven days in people news:
Paddy Power’s head of live casino leaves for Sky Bet
Sky Betting and Gaming has appointed Paddy Power’s former live casino head Tom Murgatroyd to lead its new Sky Casino brand.
Murgatroyd left Paddy Power earlier this year and has since been on gardening leave before taking up his new role at Sky last Wednesday.
During his time at Paddy Power he was responsible for launching and growing revenues from new casino propositions with partners including Evolution Gaming and Playtech.
PMU elects Xavier Hürstel as CEO
Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) has elected managing director Xavier Hürstel to succeed Philippe Germond as the company’s chairman and chief executive following a meeting of the General Assembly on Monday.
The appointment, which was made with immediate effect, sees Hürstel retain the duties he had carried out on an interim basis since Germond decided to leave the French operator and join European car rental company Europcar last month.
Hürstel’s appointment comes following recommendations made by two parent companies of French racing, France Galop and LeTrot, with Hürstel having stated his desire to continue with the Paris-based company’s long-term strategy.
Online payments provider Skrill has appointed Christopher Russell as CEO of its US business, replacing outgoing chief exec Neil Steinhardt who joined the firm in March 2013.
Russell joins Skrill from World First USA, a currency exchange and international payments processor, where he served as president and CEO.
In his new role, Russell will oversee all of Skrill’s US operations, leveraging his experience in the payments industry to expand Skrills presence in North America.