Industry News
Rootz Promotes Two Team Members
With Rootz having experienced one of the fastest initial growth periods in the history of European online casinos, we have decided to promote internally as Rootz expands its footprint and prepares to grow the company in 2020 and beyond.
We are pleased to announce the promotions of two of our team members – Melanie Hainzer and Tony Kjaldstrom – to C-level positions within the company.
Ms. Melanie Hainzer has been promoted from Head of Marketing to the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) role while Mr. Tony Kjaldstrom is being elevated from Head of Casino to Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Melanie Hainzer, CMO
Having joined Rootz in early 2019, Ms. Hainzer has demonstrated a robust understanding of the iGaming industry. With over 10 years of experience in roles ranging from CRM Manager to Country Manager, Melanie brings broad experience to this position. Melanie has been an integral part of the early successes. Most notably, Melanie has been at the forefront of the marketing efforts for Wildz Casino, Rootz’s first online casino brand.
Responding to the news of her promotion, Melanie remarked, “It’s an honour to be not only considered, but promoted to an executive position at Rootz. I’ve been very happy to work for this company and am excited to assume a larger role. I’m looking forward to 2020 and beyond.”
Tony Kjaldstrom, COO
Mr Kjaldstrom also joined in 2019 and helped shepherd Rootz through the opening months, demonstrating tremendous competence and the ability to troubleshoot and manage a brand new platform. Tony has helped build and manage the casino platform and is playing a central role in planning the future strategy.
Tony also had some comments related to his promotion. “These are exciting times at Rootz and Wildz. I’m very grateful for this new position and will remain committed to seeing that Rootz doesn’t rest on its previous success and instead redoubles its efforts to make fantastic casino products even better. Let’s go!”
CEO’s Statement
Lasse Rantala, the Rootz CEO, had the following to say about these latest promotions: “Melanie and Tony are two of the hardest-working people in a company full of impressive workers. To be able to excel where there are so many motivated people is a testament to their extraordinary work ethic and ability.
Both Melanie and Tony helped to guide the company through opening months. Those first month required extraordinary time commitments and a focused attention to detail as Rootz worked to finesse our strategies and our custom platform in those early months. I have no doubt that the elevation of these two talented individuals into C-level roles will be a tremendous asset to this company for many years to come.
It is especially satisfying that we were able to fill these roles with current Rootz team members. We take great pride in being able to promote internally and look to do so in the future as much as possible.”
About Rootz:
Rootz Ltd is an iGaming technology company providing a full-scope platform, Rootz. Automate the Game, the Rootz slogan, has influenced product development from Day 1. Rootz believes human beings should be left to pursue their creative talents while allowing repetitive tasks to be managed by machines. This focus has allowed Rootz to build the next generation casino product, Wildz.com, an online casino customised to each individual user. Rootz Ltd is based in Malta and holds an MGA license.
International Game Technology has won seven awards at the 2025 EKG Slot Awards Show. The EKG Slot Awards Show is a performance-based, annual programme produced by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming (EKG) that recognizes excellence in slot game development in the casino gaming industry. IGT won the most awards of any gaming industry supplier, taking home trophies for seven of the program’s 25 categories.
IGT won the following categories at the 2025 EKG Slot Awards Show:
• Top Performing NEW Premium Game: Tiger and Dragon Cash on Reels
• Most Innovative Land-Based Game: Tiger and Dragon Cash on Reels
• Top Performing 3rd Party IP Branded Game: Whitney Houston Slots
• Top Performing Game – EMEA: Magic Treasures Dragon
• Top Performing NEW Video Poker/Keno Game: Mega Hot Poker
• Top Performing NEW Online Table Game: Blackjack Poker & Pairs Surrender
• Best Overall Supplier of Online Content: IGT PlayDigital
“IGT winning seven awards at the 2025 EKG Slot Awards Show is a significant achievement that speaks to our performance momentum across multiple product categories and the immense talent and dedication of IGT employees worldwide. We look forward to continuing to help our customers benefit from these strong IGT themes in 2025 and beyond via follow-up games for Tiger and Dragon, Whitney Houston Slots, Magic Treasures and Mega Hot Poker,” said Nick Khin, IGT President, Global Gaming.
“It was exciting to see IGT PlayDigital honored at the 2025 EKG Slot Awards Show in the most esteemed iGaming category, ‘Best Overall Supplier of Online Content,’ and recognized with the ‘Top Performing NEW Online Table Game’ award for Blackjack Poker & Pairs Surrender. Developing and delivering market-leading content and performance tools is a cornerstone of IGT PlayDigital’s strategy and I wish to congratulate the entire team on these remarkable accomplishments,” said Gil Rotem, IGT PlayDigital President.
The post IGT Wins Seven Awards at the 2025 EKG Slot Awards Show appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
AskGamblers hits a new milestone by surpassing 700,000 registered members on the website. Since 2006, AskGamblers provides accurate and reliable information on online casinos, sportsbooks, bonuses and more, with the motto Get the Truth. Then Play.
The website has grown, but not only in numbers. In 2024, AskGamblers introduced a comprehensive sports betting section where users can access sportsbook reviews, live scores, odds calculators and find exclusive deals.
Additionally, AskGamblers hosts the annual AskGamblers Awards, a prestigious event where players can nominate and vote for their favourites in four categories: Best Casino, Best New Casino, Best New Slot and Best Sportsbook, but six additional industry awards are handed out during the gala ceremony.
Dijana Radunović, General Manager at AskGamblers, said: “Reaching the milestone of 700,000 registered players is remarkable. It’s great to see new players coming in daily, but the fact that they remain active is what’s truly special!”
The post AskGamblers Surpasses 700,000 Registered Members appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Irina Rusimova, Amusnet’s Chief Commercial Officer, gave a video interview at ICE Barcelona 2025, the premier iGaming event, sharing insights on the company’s business priorities and future strategic vision. The event provided an ideal platform for Amusnet to showcase its latest innovations and set the tone for the year ahead. With a strong presence across the Online Casino, Live Casino, and Land-Based verticals, the company reaffirmed its position as a leading all-casino solutions provider.
“In 2025, our strategic focus remains on expanding in key markets across Europe and Latin America. Our teams in Greece, Spain, the Netherlands, Croatia, Malta, Belgium, Italy, Romania, Georgia, Serbia, and LATAM will continue working closely with partners to deliver tailored content that meets regional player preferences,” said Irina Rusimova.
“We started the year strong with our successful launch in Brazil, certifying over 160 games and becoming one of the first providers in the newly regulated market. We aim to deepen our market position by offering localized content and collaborating with local operators.
“We will continue reinforcing our relationships with international partners to ensure Amusnet’s games reach diverse audiences worldwide.”
As part of its strategic expansion into LATAM, Amusnet participates as a Headline Platinum Sponsor at SBC Rio from February 25 to 27 at stand B680. The company will showcase popular slots such as 20 Golden Coins, Candy Palace, Cocktail Rush, and Hot Deco, along with new titles like Stoichkov #8, Cavemen & Dinosaurs, and Dancing Dead. It will also unveil new jackpot systems and promotional tools designed to boost player engagement. Attendees can explore Type S, Amusnet’s first-ever slot cabinet series, crafted to meet the highest standards of the global land-based casino industry, and discover Crazy Red, a highly anticipated cascade slot featuring the “tumbling reels” mechanic, vibrant characters and exciting features.
The post Amusnet CCO Irina Rusimova Unveils 2025 Business Strategy and Vision appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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