Latest News
FDJ Makes Changes to its Executive Committee Following the Integration of Kindred

In line with recent major strategic operations, including in particular the acquisition of Kindred, FDJ has made changes to its Executive Committee.
FDJ Group’s acquisition of Kindred creates a European champion with a diversified, balanced profile, underpinned by businesses under exclusive rights – chiefly the lottery in France and Ireland – and businesses open to competition in the European online betting and gaming market.
The Group’s new operating model highlights the digitalisation, diversification and globalisation of its activities. It represents the newest phase in the organisational transformation of the Group, which is now present in nearly 15 countries.
FDJ Group is now structured around four business units:
• French lottery and retail sports betting, responsible for operating lottery games at points of sale and online as well as sports betting at points of sale (activities subject to exclusive rights).
• Online betting and gaming, responsible for sports and horse-race betting, poker and online casino gaming open to competition, in the markets where these activities are authorised.
• International lottery, notably including Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI), which operates the Irish lottery.
• Payment and services, with activities combined under the Nirio brand.
These four business units will be supported by cross-functional departments covering areas such as innovation, technology, digital acceleration, data and AI as well as Group functions (finance, strategy, legal, corporate social responsibility, communications, etc.).
Composition of FDJ Group’s Executive Committee
• Stéphane Pallez, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of FDJ Group
• Charles Lantieri, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the FDJ Corporate Foundation
• Pascal Chaffard, Chief Financial Officer, Strategy and Performance leader
• Patrick Buffard, Chief French Lottery and Retail Sports betting Officer
• Nils Andén, Chief Online Betting and Gaming Officer
• Giovanna D’Esposito, Chief International Lottery Officer
• Raphaël Botbol, Chief Payment and Services Officer, Innovation leader
• Valérie Berche, Chief Audit and Risks Officer
• Dominique Cavalié, Chief Human Resources and Transformation Officer
• Xavier Etienne, Chief Technology Officer
• Cécile Lagé, Chief Executive Advisor
• Nathalie Le Garlantezec, Chief Communications Officer
• Elisabeth Monégier du Sorbier, General counsel and Secretary to the Board of Directors
• Vincent Perrotin, Chief Sustainability Officer
• Sébastien Rozanes, Chief Digital, Data & AI Officer
• Celia Verot, Chief Regulatory Officer
The post FDJ Makes Changes to its Executive Committee Following the Integration of Kindred appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Greece
Spinmatic goes live with Betsson in Greece

Spinmatic, B2B provider of premium casino games, and Betsson, a giant behind one of the world’s largest betting and online casino platforms, have partnered to bring some of the industry’s most exciting titles to Greece.
Following recent launches with leading operators in the region, Spinmatic continues its upward trajectory, delivering a portfolio that’s not only tuned to local markets but also stands out globally for its quality and creativity.
This exciting new deal builds on a long-standing partnership between Spinmatic’s sister company, GoldenRace, and Betsson – who have been enjoying the most realistic Virtual Sports and solutions on the market.
Anastasios Apostolou, Gaming Manager Greece at Betsson, proudly shared “We’re pleased to launch Spinmatic’s portfolio for our players in Greece. This addition enhances our offering with a selection of visually appealing and entertaining titles. At Betsson, we’re committed to continually broadening our content library to suit a wide range of player preferences, and Spinmatic’s games are a welcome addition to our diverse line-up.”
From fast-paced Crash games like Meteoroid Deluxe to the adventure-packed Ed Jones and the Book of Seth, Betsson players now have access to some of Spinmatic’s flagship titles. Whether they’re Jackpot chasers, retro lovers or high-speed thrill seekers, there’s a Spinmatic game ready to hit the mark.
“We are proud to see our games live with Betsson, a brand known for its high standards and player loyalty,” said Norbert Mathies, Managing Director at Spinmatic. “This partnership confirms that Spinmatic’s commitment to quality and innovation is exactly what leading operators are looking for.”
Greece’s regulated igaming market continues to offer exciting opportunities for forward-thinking brands. With major partnerships already live and more launches ahead, Spinmatic is demonstrating it’s ready to push even further.
The post Spinmatic goes live with Betsson in Greece appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Bill Hornbuckle
MGM Resorts Announces New Employment Agreement with CEO & President Bill Hornbuckle

MGM Resorts announced that it has reached a new employment agreement with CEO & President Bill Hornbuckle through December 31, 2028. As part of his new employment contract, the Company has also agreed to offer Hornbuckle an advisory agreement at the end of the term to assist with its integrated resort project in Osaka, Japan until its opening.
“Bill is an exceptional, visionary leader who successfully guided the company through the COVID-19 pandemic while also positioning the business for long-term growth through new digital ventures, strategic M&A opportunities, and expansion into new international markets. Bill has earned the trust, respect and admiration of his employees, peers, shareholders and this Board. We’re thrilled that he has agreed to remain in his role for the foreseeable future,” said Paul Salem, Chairman of the MGM Resorts Board of Directors.
“I am honored to continue leading this company at an exciting time of both digital growth and resort expansion in places like New York, Japan, Brazil and the Middle East. Our best days remain in front of us, and I’m thankful to our Board for their continued trust and support. The success we’ve enjoyed over the last five years is a testament to our leadership team and our employees who have embraced our culture of guest-centricity and continuous improvement. Together, we will continue to pursue our vision to be the world’s premiere gaming entertainment company,” said Hornbuckle.
As CEO, Hornbuckle oversees all aspects of MGM Resorts’ strategy, operations and hospitality and gaming development projects. He leads the company’s global development efforts and its digital gaming strategy. He is a member of MGM Resorts’ Board of Directors and serves as Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of MGM China Holdings, which operates resorts in Macau. He is also Chair of the U.S. Travel Association, a non-profit organization focused on growing travel and tourism to the United States, and he previously served as Chairman of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which advises the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on policy, regulation, programs and issues that impact the travel and tourism industry in the US.
The post MGM Resorts Announces New Employment Agreement with CEO & President Bill Hornbuckle appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Annual American Business Awards
Scientific Games Wins Three 2025 American Business Awards for Lottery Retail Technology Innovation and Instant Scratch Game Achievement

Scientific Games was recognized with three prestigious honors in the 23rd Annual American Business Awards. The global lottery company won two Gold ABA awards for its retail technology, SCiQ and PlayCentral Powered by SCiQ, in the Operations Management Solutions and Emerging Technology categories, respectively. Scientific Games’ recently retired VP, Instant Game Production, Joe Bennett, earned a Silver ABA Award for Achievement in Management—Manufacturing, recognizing his career contributions in secure lottery instant game production.
Scientific Games President, Americas & Global Instant Products, John Schulz, said: “It’s an incredible honor to have SCiQ and PlayCentral Powered by SCiQ recognized with 2025 Gold American Business Awards. These awards reflect the strength of our innovation and the dedication of our teams to modernizing the retail lottery experience. We’re also deeply proud of Joe Bennett’s Silver Award. Joe’s leadership across three decades has helped define secure instant game manufacturing for Scientific Games and the industry during his tenure.”
This year, more than 3700 nominations from organizations of all sizes and industries were submitted to the ABAs. Winners were scored by more than 300 professionals worldwide during a rigorous judging process evaluating innovation, integrity, effectiveness, creativity, and growth. The Gold Award represents the highest honor in each category, reserved for the top-scoring entry, with the Silver Award representing the second-highest honor. The ABAs are nicknamed “Stevies” for the Greek word meaning “crowned”.
SCiQ is Scientific Games’ groundbreaking ecosystem designed to transform lottery instant game retailing. It brings advanced inventory management, security, and real-time sales tracking to retail locations, providing retailers, lotteries, and players with a smarter, more secure way to sell and purchase instant games. PlayCentral Powered by SCiQ extends the SCiQ ecosystem to lottery self-service retail environments. Integrating SCiQ technology into PlayCentral HD self-service vending machines allows for unprecedented inventory control, improved game security, and seamless retail operations, enhancing the player experience while optimizing lottery revenues.
Over his 34-year career at Scientific Games, Joe Bennett has driven significant advancements in digital transformation, manufacturing efficiency, and security innovation. He led the transition to a fully integrated digital production ecosystem and introduced patented encryption technologies that protect the integrity of instant lottery games. Under his leadership, Scientific Games now produces more than 53 billion secure, high-quality instant games annually. Bennett retired from the company in April 2025.
The post Scientific Games Wins Three 2025 American Business Awards for Lottery Retail Technology Innovation and Instant Scratch Game Achievement appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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