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.”

game-mechanics

Microgaming rolls out Link & Merge mechanic with three-slot launch on 29 April

Published

2 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Wladimir P.

microgaming-rolls-out-link-&-merge-mechanic-with-three-slot-launch-on-29-april

Microgaming is launching a new slot mechanic, Link & Merge, on 29 April via the simultaneous release of three titles: Almighty Zeus Wilds Link&Merge, Lucky Twins Wilds Link&Merge and 123 Soccer Link&Merge.

The Link&Merge feature is positioned as a variation on Hold & Spin-style gameplay. When five or more adjacent Coin symbols land, they link and merge into a single higher-value symbol. The merge then triggers one of three bonus outcomes: Jackpot, Multiply or Spread, with the potential for additional Coin symbols to land and create further merges.

Microgaming is pairing the mechanic with three themes at launch: Almighty Zeus Wilds Link&Merge, Lucky Twins Wilds Link&Merge and 123 Soccer Link&Merge. The supplier said each title uses the Link&Merge bonus within a shared core framework that includes cluster wins, Wild Meter progression, Free Spins and Multiplier Trail functionality.

A Microgaming spokesperson said: “Link&Merge gives us a mechanic with real forward momentum. Each merge has the potential to change the shape of the feature, open up new opportunities and keep the round moving in a way that feels both familiar and fresh. By launching three games around it simultaneously, we are able to give the mechanic a much bigger stage from day one and show the range it can bring to the Microgaming portfolio.”

The post Microgaming rolls out Link & Merge mechanic with three-slot launch on 29 April appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Gaming Corps

Gaming Corps launches Instant Blitz scratchcard-style game vertical

Published

1 day ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

gaming-corps-launches-instant-blitz-scratchcard-style-game-vertical

Gaming Corps, the Sweden-based publicly listed game developer, has launched Instant Blitz, a new scratchcard-inspired product vertical. The first title, also called Instant Blitz, is now live.

Instant Blitz plays across four rounds on a 3×6 active grid, where clusters of three or more matching symbols pay prizes that are added to a central Prize Pot. The grid can expand up to 6×6 via Lightning symbols, while Wheel symbols trigger a bonus with guaranteed rewards ranging from 5x to 1,000x the stake.

Other feature symbols include Multiplier, which doubles the total Prize Pot win, and Extra Rounds, which adds two additional rounds.

Alexandros Mavroudis, Product Owner at Gaming Corps, said: “Instant Blitz is an exciting launch for us because it introduces a new way of thinking about scratchcard-style content. We wanted to create something that keeps the immediacy players expect from the format but adds more structure and points of anticipation within a single session. The result is a game that feels fast and accessible on the surface but has far more going on underneath.”

Gaming Corps said the release supports low entry stakes, with bets starting from as little as 5p, positioning Instant Blitz as an option for operators looking to add lower-stake instant win content alongside other formats.

The post Gaming Corps launches Instant Blitz scratchcard-style game vertical appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

casino suppliers

Eeze promotes Aarti Carl, Kurt Vella and Shaun Cini in leadership reshuffle

Published

2 days ago

April 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

eeze-promotes-aarti-carl,-kurt-vella-and-shaun-cini-in-leadership-reshuffle

Eeze has promoted three executives into senior leadership roles as the casino supplier scales its operations and reorganises key functions.

Aarti Carl has been appointed Chief People Officer to lead a newly repositioned People Function. Eeze said the function was previously HR and has been redefined to reflect a focus on culture, employee experience and organisational development.

Kurt Vella has been named Chief Legal Officer, responsible for overseeing Eeze’s global legal and compliance strategy.

Shaun Cini has been promoted to Vice President of Finance. Eeze said Cini will continue supporting strategic decision-making.

Lai Fatt Chiang, Chief Executive Officer at Eeze, said: “These appointments reflect both the strength of our internal talent and our commitment to building a leadership team that can support our continued growth.

“Aarti, Kurt, and Shaun have each made a significant impact on the business, and I am confident they will continue to play a key role in shaping our future.”

The post Eeze promotes Aarti Carl, Kurt Vella and Shaun Cini in leadership reshuffle appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.