Affinity Interactive

Affinity Interactive Appoints Andrei Scrivens as CEO

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Affinity Interactive, an omni-channel gaming industry leader, announced the appointment of Andrei Scrivens as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2023.

Mr. Scrivens has served as AI’s Chief Financial Officer since 2019 and succeeds Mary Beth Higgins, who is retiring after a distinguished 25-year career in gaming. Ms. Higgins will stay on in an advisory role through June 2023 to help ensure a smooth transition.

“Andrei has been instrumental in establishing Affinity Interactive as the industry-leading platform it is today, and I am confident he has the vision to lead AI to even greater success. We are well positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for omni-channel casino and online gaming products, and Andrei’s gaming industry experience — both as an investment professional and operator — will continue to be invaluable. I look forward to continuing to partner together as we further enhance our best-in-class gaming offerings and products for customers and guests,” James J. Zenni Jr., Chairman of Affinity Interactive, said.

Mr. Scrivens has more than a decade of experience in the gaming and hospitality industry. As CFO, he played a key role in the formation of AI through the merger of Affinity Gaming and Sports Information Group in 2021. Prior to joining AI, he served as a Managing Director at Z Capital Partners LLC (ZCG), for seven years, where he focused on gaming and hospitality investments, and led teams specializing in opportunities that required hands-on financial and operational leadership. Before joining ZCG, he served as Director at Chilmark Partners, a middle market private equity firm and boutique investment bank.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

“This is an incredible opportunity to lead AI during such an exciting phase of its growth trajectory. Since I began working with the company in 2014, I have been continuously impressed by the talent and commitment across the organization. I am excited to work closely with ZCG and lead a world-class team as we expand our footprint across physical casino locations, online gaming platforms and digital media. I am grateful for Mary Beth’s leadership over the past few years, and I am looking forward to building on the strong foundation we’ve put in place together,” Mr. Scrivens said.

“We thank Mary Beth for her leadership, dedication and countless contributions, which have been pivotal to the growth and success of AI. We wish her well in her retirement,” Mr. Zenni said.

“Leading AI has been a privilege and an incredible journey, and I am so proud of all we have accomplished together. This is the right time for AI to transition to its next generation of leadership, and I could not be more confident in Andrei’s ability to execute on all of the exciting developments we have been working on and more,” Ms. Higgins said.

Affinity Interactive

Affinity Interactive Appoints Scott Butera as President & Chief Executive Officer

Published

7 months ago

April 26, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

affinity-interactive-appoints-scott-butera-as-president-&-chief-executive-officer

Affinity Interactive has announced the appointment of Scott Butera as President & Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Mr. Butera, who most recently led AI’s Sports Information Group (SIG) business, brings over 30 years of experience in gaming, hospitality, media, entertainment, and sports to the pivotal role. In his new capacity, Mr. Butera will set strategy and oversee operations of the Company’s diversified portfolio of casinos resorts across Nevada, Missouri, and Iowa. He will also continue to oversee all print and online media platforms, including Daily Racing Form.

Mr. Butera is an industry veteran who has a history of leading growth and innovation at numerous companies. As CEO of SIG, he led initiatives to develop retail and business products and optimize ecommerce sales for the Daily Racing Form. Under his leadership, SIG experienced significant growth in market share and revenue. Previously, Mr. Butera served as President of Fubo Gaming at Fubo TV Inc. He has also held CEO and President positions at MGM Resorts International, the Arena Football League, Foxwoods Resort & Casino, Tropicana Entertainment, and Trump Entertainment, among others. Earlier in his career, he worked as an investment banker for more than a decade, gaining valuable financial expertise that he later applied to strategic decision-making in the gaming industry. Mr. Butera has a B.A. from Trinity College, where he served as a Trustee, and an MBA from New York University.

“Scott’s operating acumen and deep knowledge of the gaming and entertainment industries have helped AI and Sports Information Group expand product offerings and improve the sports and gaming experience for consumers around the world. I am confident Scott will integrate seamlessly into this expanded role, and under his leadership, Affinity will achieve greater success, continuing to deliver world-class experiences to nearly 1 million users and guests across platforms,” James J. Zenni Jr., Chairman of Affinity Interactive, said.

“Affinity’s mission to elevate the gaming industry through advanced technology and unparalleled customer offerings – both across digital media platforms as well as in-person gaming – remains a driving force behind the business’ success. I am eager to collaborate with Jim and leverage my familiarity with the business as well as my passion for driving innovative change to execute on AI’s long-term strategic priorities,” Mr. Butera said.

Affinity Interactive

Affinity Interactive Appoints Halise Ekmen Uysal as CFO

Published

2 years ago

May 5, 2023

GamingAmericas.com

Affinity Interactive (AI), an omni-channel gaming industry leader and ZCG portfolio company, announced the appointment of Halise Ekmen Uysal as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Ms. Ekmen Uysal will oversee AI’s talented finance organization in planning for and executing on AI’s growth initiatives across its casinos and digital and media platforms, including Daily Racing Form, DRF Bets, and DRF Sports.

Ms. Ekmen Uysal has more than 20 years of finance and accounting leadership experience in roles of increasing responsibility, from property-level management to the C-suite. Most recently, she served as Chief Finance, Strategy and Transformation Officer for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, which included the Chumash Casino Resort and its other diverse investments. Earlier in her career, she worked at Caesars Entertainment Corporation for 12 years in various finance roles.

“Halise is an accomplished finance executive across the gaming and hospitality industries, and we are excited to welcome her to AI as our new CFO. Her track record of driving sustainable financial results while building high-performing, diverse teams will benefit all of AI’s businesses and help us execute on our strategic priorities,” Andrei Scrivens, CEO of Affinity Interactive, said.

“The addition of Halise to the management team further strengthens AI’s leadership across its entire platform of premier casinos, online gaming offerings and digital media. I’m confident her two decades of diverse finance experience and extensive business acumen will be valuable across the organization as AI builds on its positive momentum, delivers world-class customer experiences and drives continued growth,” James J. Zenni Jr., Chairman of Affinity Interactive, said.

“Affinity Interactive is at the forefront of gaming innovation with a unique portfolio of technology, digital and media assets, and I look forward to joining the talented and hard-working team. Together with Andrei, Jim and the rest of the leadership team, I’m excited to execute on the Company’s compelling growth opportunities and contribute to its continued success as a gaming leader,” Ms. Ekmen Uysal said.

Affinity Interactive

Affinity Interactive Expands its Leadership Team

Published

2 years ago

April 3, 2023

GamingAmericas.com

Affinity Interactive (AI), an omni-channel gaming industry leader and ZCG portfolio company, announced it has appointed two industry veterans to its executive leadership team, effective April 1, 2023. The new additions include Scott Butera as Chief Executive Officer of Sports Information Group (SIG), AI’s New York-based B2B and B2C global omnichannel sports, technology, digital, media and wagering business, and Brad Egnor as Chief Marketing Officer of AI.

“Affinity Interactive is thrilled to welcome Scott and Brad to our leadership team, and we are certain that they will be valuable additions in helping us create deeper customer engagement and further captivate diverse audiences. As AI continues to lead the way in meeting the growing demand for online gaming products and omni-channel casinos, Scott and Brad bring relevant skills, networks and experiences that will inform our business strategy. We look forward to taking AI’s digital marketing performance to the next level and providing customers with a truly exceptional gaming experience,” Andrei Scrivens, CEO of Affinity Interactive, said.

“These exciting leadership appointments further position AI to harness the power of the company’s leading technology and proprietary sports data and intelligence for the benefit of each platform, users and guests everywhere. Scott and Brad both add distinct expertise and share our unwavering commitment to excellence, which will help pave the way for continued success and bold innovation as we further establish AI as the premier, industry-leading gaming platform,” James J. Zenni Jr., Chairman of Affinity Interactive, said.

Mr. Butera, an entertainment and hospitality executive with more than two decades of executive gaming experience, will be responsible for forming key partnerships and ventures that leverage SIG’s iconic Daily Racing Form content and brand, as well as overseeing the expansion of AI’s advance-deposit and sports wagering capabilities.

“I am thrilled to be joining such a dynamic, well-respected company and look forward to working closely with Andrei, Jim, Brad and the entire Affinity Interactive team to continue building on Sports Information Group’s world class digital offering. The industry is at a turning point, and AI is at the forefront of the next frontier where media, technology and gaming come together to deliver exciting new experiences for consumers globally. DRF’s content and brand is unparalleled, and I could not be more excited to bring to life their potential in new ways for the entire AI platform,” said Mr. Butera.

In his new role as Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Egnor will be responsible for enhancing AI’s digital performance marketing capabilities across its business units, including casino, Daily Racing Form, and DRF Bets, to provide customers with a cohesive digital journey and a comprehensive relationship with AI.

“Affinity Interactive is a clear leader in today’s gaming ecosystem and I am excited to join the AI team as we build on the company’s continued momentum. Together, we will continue to grow each platform’s dedicated following and foster even stronger customer relationships across the AI network to drive the company to new heights,” said Mr. Egnor.