Industry News

GVC Announces CEO Keith Alexander’s Retirement

Published

6 years ago

July 17, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

GVC Holdings has announced that its CEO Keith Alexander is going to retire from the Board and the company after 13 years of his service. He will be succeeded by Shay Segev, GVC’s Chief Operating Officer.

Kenneth joined GVC as CEO in 2007 and has overseen its development from a small AIM-listed company to an FTSE 100 global sports betting and gaming business, with over 25,000 colleagues in 20 offices across five continents.

Shay has been the COO of GVC since March 2016, joining shortly after GVC had acquired bwin.party digital entertainment plc. As part of the succession planning process, Shay already has direct responsibility for GVC’s industry-leading proprietary technology platform, its US joint venture with MGM Resorts, all Group M&A and Corporate Development activity, its retail business, as well as the product, trading and customer service teams, among others. He has also been instrumental in delivering the highly successful integrations of both bwin and Ladbrokes Coral.

Kenneth Alexander said:

“I have given 13 years to GVC and I now want to give some time to my family. I have enjoyed every minute of helping to grow GVC into the business that it is today, and am proud of all that has been achieved. We have the best people, brands and technology in our sector, and our joint venture in the US with MGM Resorts positions us very strongly for growth in that hugely exciting market.

“I have spent the last four months working from home and reflecting on my future plans, and this feels like the right moment. Whilst it is never easy to hand the baton on, it has been very clear for a number of years now that Shay is the right person to succeed me. He is an outstanding leader with a clear strategic vision and unrivalled technological expertise. As a shareholder, I know that our Company will be in good hands. He is also a firm advocate for the strongest possible protection for customers, and shares my philosophy that only a responsible company can be a sustainable and successful company.”

Barry Gibson, Chairman of GVC, said:

“Kenny has built a remarkable global business, and has achieved more in the past 13 years than most people manage in a lifetime. We will miss him, but we also understand his wishes to hand over the reins after such a long and successful stint at the top of the Company. On behalf of the Board, I would like to sincerely thank him for his significant contribution to GVC.

“The Board has kept succession plans under constant review, and has been extremely impressed by Shay’s contribution and leadership. We are very fortunate to have such a well-qualified and natural successor. He has a long track record of leading technology businesses, overseeing complex integration projects, and running large teams at a senior level. Today’s trading update shows just how strong this business is, and we look to the future with confidence under Shay’s leadership.”

Shay Segev said:

“I am hugely honoured to have been given this opportunity by the Board to lead GVC into the next phase of its development. Kenny has been a fantastic colleague and leader during the four years I have worked with him. Thanks to his stewardship I am succeeding him at a time when the business is in robust financial health with an exceptional team and exciting opportunities ahead of it, especially in the US. Our strategy will continue to be focused on our industry-leading technology, brands, products, marketing capabilities and people, as well as being absolutely committed to making gambling as safe and enjoyable as possible for our customers around the world.”

Balkans

CT Interactive Appoints Martin Dimitrov as its New Commercial Manager

Published

3 days ago

January 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

ct-interactive-appoints-martin-dimitrov-as-its-new-commercial-manager

CT Interactive has appointed Martin Dimitrov as its new Commercial Manager. Martin brings over eight years of experience in sales, client management and business development, with the past two years dedicated to the dynamic iGaming industry.

Throughout his career, Martin has managed a diverse portfolio of clients and partners, successfully developing and strengthening long-term commercial relationships. His active participation in key industry events has enabled him to build an extensive professional network and maintain a strong, up-to-date understanding of market trends and dynamics.

Martin’s strong leadership and strategic thinking allow him to identify new business opportunities, drive sustainable growth and support partners with tailored commercial solutions. His collaborative approach and results-driven mindset make him a trusted point of contact for clients and colleagues alike.

With his deep understanding of the iGaming landscape and proven commercial expertise, Martin Dimitrov is a valuable addition to the CT Interactive team.

The post CT Interactive Appoints Martin Dimitrov as its New Commercial Manager appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

blask

Greece Led Europe’s iGaming Growth in 2025 — Now the Drivers Are Fully Explained

Published

4 days ago

January 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

greece-led-europe’s-igaming-growth-in-2025-—-now-the-drivers-are-fully-explained

In the second half of 2025, Greece emerged as Europe’s fastest-growing iGaming market. While several major jurisdictions slowed or declined, Greek market demand rose by more than 50% between June and December, standing out as one of the year’s clearest growth stories.

According to data from Blask, the surge was not the result of a single tournament or seasonal spike. Instead, it reflected a structural shift driven by a combination of sports momentum, regulatory reform and casino market dynamics — factors that can now be traced in detail through Blask’s newly released Market Explanation feature.

Continuous sports momentum without demand gaps

Greece’s growth was underpinned by a tightly stacked sports calendar that sustained engagement across multiple months. EuroBasket 2025 in late August, the kickoff of the Stoiximan Super League, UEFA Champions League matchdays under the new league-phase format, and the EuroLeague season featuring Greek clubs created a continuous rhythm of high-interest betting cycles throughout autumn.

Rather than short-lived peaks followed by sharp declines, demand remained elevated well beyond individual events. This is a pattern clearly visible on the Blask Index trend line.

Casino reform reshaped demand behavior

One of the most significant contributors came from the casino segment. Greece’s decision to raise RNG stake limits from €2 to €20 altered the mechanics of the market, allowing online casinos to absorb demand during sports off-peak periods.

As sports-led acquisition increasingly converted into casino play, operators reported double-digit iGaming growth. Market Explanation analysis shows that this effect persisted over time, confirming the shift as structural rather than seasonal.

Enforcement redirected demand to licensed operators

Regulatory action further reinforced the upward trend. In December, Greek authorities blocked approximately 11,000 illegal gambling domains. Instead of suppressing demand, the move redirected player interest toward licensed platforms, strengthening regulated market performance.

The impact was amplified by the adoption of IRIS instant payments, which reduced deposit friction and improved conversion from interest to activity.

From tracking trends to understanding causes

To surface these drivers, Blask has introduced Market Explanation — an AI-powered layer within the Blask Index that allows users to click on any country’s trend line and instantly see a sourced breakdown of the forces behind the movement. Sports calendars, regulatory changes, casino dynamics and macro factors are analyzed together, turning raw demand signals into actionable market context.

Greece’s 2025 performance illustrates how this approach changes market analysis. Rather than simply observing that demand is rising, operators, suppliers and investors can now see why it is happening — and which levers are shaping the trajectory of a market in real time.

The post Greece Led Europe’s iGaming Growth in 2025 — Now the Drivers Are Fully Explained appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Crypto Turnkey

GR8 Tech Delivers 1.6× Higher Deposit Conversion and 3× Reduction in Transaction Costs for Crypto Turnkey Clients

Published

4 days ago

January 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

gr8-tech-delivers-1.6×-higher-deposit-conversion-and-3×-reduction-in-transaction-costs-for-crypto-turnkey-clients

Initial performance metrics from providers utilizing GR8 Tech’s Crypto Turnkey solution indicate notable enhancements in player conversion and operational efficiency within months of transitioning to cryptocurrency payments.

Operators utilizing Crypto Turnkey are indicating:

● 1.6 times greater conversion for initial and subsequent deposits

● Cost per transaction can be as much as 3 times lower than conventional payment methods.

● Withdrawal processing up to 2.5 times quicker

“The conversion improvements and cost reductions we see would take much longer to achieve through payment optimization alone,” said Denys Parkhomenko, GR8 Tech CPO. “Crypto Turnkey unlocks access to the fastest-growing and highly valuable player demographic in iGaming. When over half of your target audience is already using crypto for investments, offering it as a payment method is a must—numbers prove it.”

The findings confirm the business rationale presented at Crypto Turnkey’s inception: cryptocurrency eliminates reliance on payment providers and draws higher-value participants who deposit larger amounts and wager more often. With settlement finishing within minutes rather than days, operators are experiencing enhanced margins and clearly superior player satisfaction.

Crypto Turnkey is now accessible worldwide and can be implemented as a new option or transitioned from Hyper Turnkey.

Unlock Your Crypto Advantage at ICE Barcelona 2026

The post GR8 Tech Delivers 1.6× Higher Deposit Conversion and 3× Reduction in Transaction Costs for Crypto Turnkey Clients appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.