Canada

Fanatics Announces Appointment of Lydia Jett and Jonathan Mildenhall to Board of Directors

Published

4 years ago

May 9, 2022

Digital sports platform Fanatics has announced the appointment of preeminent fintech, e-commerce, and marketing executives Lydia Jett and Jonathan Mildenhall to its board of directors.

Jett, Managing Partner and Head of Global eCommerce and US Consumer Internet Sector Investments at SoftBank Investment Advisers (SBIA), and Mildenhall, co-founder and Executive Chairman of TwentyFirstCenturyBrand and former CMO of Airbnb, bring decades of experience advising and building some of the world’s most influential tech companies and consumer brands.

Both well-admired leaders will play vital roles in uncovering and amplifying opportunities for Fanatics to continue scaling its businesses worldwide, which currently include licensed merchandise and e-commerce, trading cards and collectibles, digital collectibles and NFT’s, and online sports betting and iGaming.

“Fanatics is in the midst of incredible transformation and the deep expertise and insight that Lydia and Jonathan both bring to the board will be vital as we unlock a new digital experience for sports fans globally. They are both visionaries in their respective fields that will provide invaluable support and guidance as we continue building a revolutionary sports platform,” Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin said.

Lydia, the first female to hold the title of Managing Partner within SoftBank’s Vision Fund, has nearly twenty years of experience investing in and serving on the boards of market leading technology businesses. Since SoftBank’s initial backing of Fanatics in 2017 – when the firm led a more than $1 billion investment round – she has been a driving force behind the company’s innovation across the licensed sports industry and recent expansion beyond merchandise.

“Over my past five years with the Fanatics management team, I have seen an extraordinary focus, agility and creativity targeted towards fundamentally remaking an industry to better serve its ultimate customers: leagues, athletes and fans. As we enter the next half decade together, Fanatics is better positioned than ever to be a driving force behind improving a global sports fan’s experience across the digital and physical world,” Jett said.

Jonathan, a globally respected marketing and advertising professional, co-founded the influential brand building and marketing consultancy firm, TwentyFirstCenturyBrand, and serves as Executive Chairman. Mildenhall also previously served as CMO of Airbnb from 2014 to 2018, a time in which the company’s valuation increased from $1 billion to more than $31 billion. Mildenhall’s expertise is defining company purpose and values, brand strategy and digital transformation, assets that will be invaluable to Fanatics as the company continues to build its brand globally and unlock opportunities to engage with sports fans across current and emerging verticals.

“Over the last six months I have gotten to know Michael, his executive team, and the Fanatics business in a deep and substantial way. The deeper my understanding of the incredible opportunity ahead the more irresistible the idea of joining the board became. Fanatics will become a culturally significant global brand that will define this and further generations to come,” Mildenhall said.

Alberta

EveryMatrix gets conditional AGLC approval ahead of Alberta iGaming launch

Published

11 hours ago

May 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

everymatrix-gets-conditional-aglc-approval-ahead-of-alberta-igaming-launch

EveryMatrix has received conditional licensing approval from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) to offer its iGaming technology in Alberta.

The approval allows the supplier to provide casino and sports platform technologies to licensed operators in the province, which is expected to launch a regulated iGaming market in July. Alberta would become Canada’s second regulated iGaming territory after Ontario.

At launch, EveryMatrix said it will offer titles from its in-house studio Fantasma Games and aggregated content, with plans to expand its portfolio over time.

The company said the Alberta approval adds to its North American licensing footprint, which includes Ontario (since 2022) and US states New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. EveryMatrix also said it has signed agreements to deliver platform and in-house gaming content in Alberta.

Rani Axon, Market Manager, North America, EveryMatrix, said: “Entering Alberta marks an exciting step for the Group as we expand further into one of North America’s most attractive regulated markets. This approval shows the strength of our compliance team and our readiness to meet regulatory requirements in any market.”

The post EveryMatrix gets conditional AGLC approval ahead of Alberta iGaming launch appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGLC

EveryMatrix secures licensing approval in Alberta Canada

Published

12 hours ago

May 19, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

everymatrix-secures-licensing-approval-in-alberta-canada

EveryMatrix has received conditional licensing approval from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) to offer its iGaming technology in the Canadian province, marking another step in the company’s expansion across North America.

The approval enables the Group to provide its award-winning casino and sports platform technologies to licensed operators in Alberta, soon to become Canada’s second regulated iGaming territory following Ontario.

Alberta’s regulated iGaming market is expected to launch in July this year, opening the door for licensed operators to enter the province under its new framework.

At launch EveryMatrix will offer premium titles from its in-house studio, Fantasma Games, as well as aggregated content with further opportunities to expand its portfolio.

The approval further strengthens EveryMatrix’s position as a tier-1 provider in North America, where it already holds licences in multiple North American jurisdictions, including Ontario since 2022, New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.

With a population of approximately five million, high digital adoption, and one of the strongest GDP per capita profiles in North America, Alberta is a high-potential iGaming jurisdiction.

EveryMatrix has already secured commercial opportunities in the province, with agreements in place to deliver both platform and in-house gaming content.

The post EveryMatrix secures licensing approval in Alberta Canada appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

BetGuard

iGaming Ontario Launches BetGuard Self-exclusion Tool

Published

12 hours ago

May 19, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

igaming-ontario-launches-betguard-self-exclusion-tool

iGaming Ontario has launched BetGuard, a tool that enables individuals aged 19 and older to voluntarily opt out of all Ontario regulated online gaming platforms through one online portal. By opting out through BetGuard.ca, players are prevented from accessing their existing accounts, creating new accounts, or receive marketing communications from any regulated igaming site in Ontario. This launch supports the government’s commitment to protecting players through strong and responsible gaming safeguards.

“BetGuard is designed with one simple principle in mind: if you need take a break from the entire regulated igaming market, you can. Player choice is key to the sustainability of our market, and that includes the choice to opt out,” said iGaming Ontario President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Hillier.

BetGuard benefits:

• Offers a dedicated website where anyone 19 years of age and older can opt out of online gaming in a few minutes without the need to visit individual igaming websites.

• Incorporates all igaming websites in Ontario’s regulated market, including OLG’s.

• Allows Ontarians to choose to opt out of online gambling for a term of 6 months, 1 year, 5 years or a custom term.

• Informs operators not to send direct marketing to individuals who have opted out.

• Offers a dedicated customer care line.

The launch of BetGuard reflects a shared commitment across government, industry and the responsible gaming community to provide Ontarians with an igaming market that has robust safeguards the unregulated market does not.

Ontario’s open and competitive igaming market has generated $262 million in 2025-26 in revenue that has been re-invested back into the province. The Government of Ontario has also invested over $421 million since 2018 in initiatives such as gambling-related public education and awareness programs, responsible gaming support, campaigns, and research.

The post iGaming Ontario Launches BetGuard Self-exclusion Tool appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.