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THE STAR SYDNEY’S LEADERSHIP TEAM ACHIEVES EQUAL GENDER REPRESENTATION
The Star Sydney leadership team has reached a 50/50 split of men and women following two recent appointments to
the executive group reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO).
The Star Entertainment Group has a target of 45% women and 45% men representation in leadership roles across its
properties in Sydney and Queensland, while the remaining 10% reflects scope for any gender identity, including non-binary gender identities.
The result also signals the success of an ongoing commitment to improvement in gender representation. Five years
ago, the equivalent leadership team at The Star Sydney comprised 23% women.
The Star Sydney’s COO, Damian Quayle said that achieving gender equality in the leadership team was the result of a
focused effort including the development of a talent acquisition and recruitment pipeline, fostering an inclusive and
diverse work environment and implementing a group-wide gender equality strategy.
“I am incredibly proud to say that my leadership team reflects a more balanced representation of genders, of our
workforce, of our community and the millions of guests we welcome each year,” Mr Quayle said.
“I wholeheartedly believe that equal representation drives better teamwork, a wider base of experience to drawn upon
and ultimately greater performance.”
The Star Entertainment Group’s Chief People and Performance Officer, Kim Lee added, “We recognise that diversity –
of genders, different cultural backgrounds, experiences and ideas is critical to creating a welcoming environment for
our guests and team members. With more women being elevated to senior roles than ever, The Star is on track to
meet its targets.”
Following the appointments of Sandra Thefs and Christina Lambert, the team now comprises three women and three
men.
Speaking of the two appointments, Mr Quayle said: “Sandra adds over 25 years’ experience in the gaming industry to
the team. She most recently spearheaded delivery of Sovereign, The Star Sydney’s $250 million premium
entertainment and gaming venue.
“Since taking on the role as Director of Hotels, Christina has truly excelled. She has led The Darling Sydney in
maintaining its pre-eminent position as the only luxury hotel to receive the coveted Forbes’ Five Star award. She is now
also responsible for developing a program that ensures that level of service and guest experience is delivered across
our entire property.”
Sandra Thefs, who has been with The Star since 1995 – first as a dealer at Treasury Brisbane, then venturing south for
the launch of ‘Star City’ in 1997 said a strong network of advocates were key to her progression.
“Throughout my time with The Star, I have always been supported in my ambitions to progress my career by my peers
and my managers,” she said. “They instilled the confidence I needed and encouraged me to take up opportunities I
might not have otherwise pursued.
”As Chair of Balance at The Star, our gender equality network, I have seen firsthand the progress we have made in a
short space of time.
“Although there is more work to be done to achieve parity across the board, we have clear direction from our Executive
team, a newly released gender equality strategy to help our targets and a committed workforce all working towards the
same goal.”
The Star Sydney’s Director of Hotel and Guest Experiences, Christina Lambert, said she is thrilled to be part of a
leadership group that values equity, diversity, and inclusion.
“I have had the pleasure of leading The Star Sydney’s hotel team over the last two years, and excited to extend my role
into guest experience across the property,” Ms Lambert said.
“It is important for me to see a balanced representation of genders in our teams, and I’m grateful to be part of that and
ensuring it is reflected across all levels of The Star’s operations.”
Sandra and Christina join Samantha Apps on The Star Sydney‘s leadership team.
Ms Apps joined The Star Entertainment Group in 2017 as General Manager, Group Procurement where she led the
transformation of that function, increasing benefits delivery by 150% over her first two years.
She moved into The Star Sydney’s leadership team in February 2021 as General Manager, Hospitality and Group
Supply Chain. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Ms Apps is an active ally and member of the ‘Proud at
The Star’ committee that champions a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for LGBTQI+ team members and
guests, and NSW state representative on Chief Executive Women’s Connect Committee that supports the pathway to
the C-Suite for talented women across Australia.
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Arizona Department of Gaming and Arizona Lottery Announce Proclamation Recognizing September 2025 as Responsible Gaming Education Month
State agencies join forces to raise awareness, promote prevention, and provide tools for safe and responsible play.
The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) and the Arizona Lottery are proud to announce a joint effort in support of a new Proclamation recognizing September 2025 as Responsible Gaming Education Month in Arizona.
Responsible gaming is about ensuring that individuals who choose to play have the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to make informed decisions and enjoy gaming as a form of entertainment. While problem gambling initiatives focus on helping those already experiencing harm from gambling, responsible gaming emphasizes prevention by encouraging healthy play behaviors before they reach a critical point.
Throughout September, and continuing in the months ahead, the ADG and Arizona Lottery will work together to strengthen education and awareness initiatives. The goal is to equip players with strategies and resources that help them keep gaming fun and safe, while helping reduce the risks associated with problem gambling.
“For over 30 years, the Arizona Department of Gaming has safeguarded the integrity of gaming through strong consumer protections, enforcement against illegal operators, and support services for those impacted by problem gambling,” said Jackie Johnson, Arizona Department of Gaming Agency Director. “During Responsible Gaming Education Month, we remind everyone that part of playing responsibly is being informed—always double-check before you place your bet to ensure you are using a legal, regulated operator at gaming.az.gov/checkyourbet.”
The Arizona Lottery also remains steadfast in its commitment to responsible play and has a Level 2 certification with the World Lottery Association for responsible gaming. Lottery games benefit the people of Arizona by generating critical revenue that funds education, healthcare, environmental conservation, and economic development. At the same time, the Lottery prioritizes the well-being of its players. Each ticket includes clear odds of winning, vending machines display game odds, and the 1-800-NEXT-STEP helpline is featured across Lottery products and advertising.
“We are proud to deliver entertainment that benefits communities across our state, while recognizing our responsibility to promote safe play,” said Alec Thomson, Arizona Lottery Executive Director. “Through transparency and awareness, we want every player to have the tools they need to make informed decisions and enjoy the Lottery responsibly.”
As Arizona observes Responsible Gaming Education Month, ADG and the Arizona Lottery encourage all players to stay informed, know their limits, and seek help if needed. Together, we can ensure that gaming remains a source of entertainment that strengthens, rather than harms, Arizona communities.
For more information and resources, visit gaming.az.gov/ResponsibleGaming or ArizonaLottery.com/ResponsibleGaming. If you or someone you know may be struggling with problem gambling, call or text 1-800-NEXT-STEP for confidential support available 24/7.
The post Arizona Department of Gaming and Arizona Lottery Announce Proclamation Recognizing September 2025 as Responsible Gaming Education Month appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Internet Gaming Operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
This significant milestone authorizes absolutebet to offer regulated iGaming services in Ontario’s legal market under the oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO).
The registration marks a key step in absolutebet’s mission to bring a trusted, responsible, and innovative online casino experience to Ontario players. absolutebet is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, meeting all provincial standards for player protection, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and game integrity.
“Securing AGCO registration is more than a milestone—it’s the start of absolutebet’s journey in one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world,” said Chen Truman, Founder of absolutebet. “We are building a brand that will grow with the Ontario community and set the stage for future expansion.”
On the regulatory milestone, Krisztina Kalla, Legal & Regulatory Compliance Advisor of absolutebet, commented: “I’m incredibly proud to see all the hard work behind this license pay off. Securing AGCO registration has taken months of preparation and close collaboration with regulators and partners. I am very happy to see the result of that work, and even more excited as we move into the launch phase and open up the absolutebet community to Ontario players in a fun and responsible way.”
Ontario is recognized as one of the most competitive and fast-growing regulated iGaming markets in North America. With AGCO registration secured, absolutebet will move forward with the final stages of its iGO onboarding process in preparation for launch.
The post absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Seasoned iGaming executive brings decade of commercial expertise to drive B2B growth
VeliTech, the B2B technology division of Veli Group, today announced the appointment of Mats Lundin as Chief Sales Officer (CSO). Lundin brings over 10 years of commercial leadership experience across the iGaming sector to accelerate VeliTech expansion as operators worldwide seek battle-tested platform solutions.
In his new role, Lundin will spearhead VeliTech global sales strategy, focusing on delivering the company’s comprehensive suite of iGaming solutions to operators seeking proven technology backed by real-world performance. His appointment reinforces VeliTech commitment to partnering with operators who demand more than promises – they want technology that is already winning in the market.
“Mats embodies the kind of proven expertise that our operator partners expect,” said Giorgi Aleksidze, CEO at VeliTech.
“His track record of building meaningful relationships and driving revenue growth aligns perfectly with our approach of backing our technology with real results. When we say we bet on our tech, we need leaders who understand what that means in practice.”
Lundin joins VeliTech from Vegangster, where he served as Sales Manager. His career spans key roles including Director of Sales and Chief Commercial Officer at Gaming Corps, Head of Sales at iSoftBet, and various commercial positions where he consistently delivered revenue growth and market expansion
“What drew me to VeliTech is their unique position in the market,” said Lundin.
“This is not just another platform provider making bold claims – this is a team that operates their own gaming brands and proves their technology works where it matters most. That combination of technical excellence and real-world validation creates compelling value for operators.”
Throughout his career, Lundin has specialised in provider and operator relationship management, regulatory navigation, and market analysis. His expertise spans both B2B and B2C sectors, with a proven ability to identify growth opportunities and translate them into sustainable commercial success.
The VeliTech platforms cover all critical aspects of iGaming, including player account management, no-code CRM, payment gateway, content aggregation, and game development. The appointment of Lundin as CSO comes as the company continues expanding its presence across regulated markets, from European casinos to emerging African markets.
The post VeliTech Appoints Mats Lundin as Chief Sales Officer appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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