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PlayStar names Per Hellberg as CEO

Published

5 years ago

March 8, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

PlayStar, the challenger online casino brand set to make its New Jersey market debut later this year, has named industry heavyweight Per Hellberg as Chief Executive Officer.

Hellberg is an industry veteran with unrivalled corporate experience and success who most recently served as the CEO of affiliate powerhouse Catena Media.

Prior to joining Catena Media, he served as CEO and Chairman of Readly, taking the business from start-up and putting it on the path to being listed on the NASDAQ Stockholm.

Hellberg’s industry experience is extensive; he joined Nordic Gaming Group (NordicBet) as Chief Marketing Officer in 2009 before being promoted to Chief Executive Officer just five months later.

Over the next three years the business grew significantly under his leadership before it was acquired by Betsson Group in 2012.

Hellberg will now spearhead PlayStar’s ambitious plans for the regulated US market, starting with its New Jersey debut with additional state launches planned for next year.

At the heart of PlayStar’s offering is the immersive experience that visitors receive each and every time they walk through the casino’s digital doors.

This will be achieved through personalisation, engagement and exemplary customer support that makes players feel like they are the star of the show at all times.

Per Hellberg, Chief Executive Officer of PlayStar, said: “I am delighted to join PlayStar as the team gets ready to launch into the New Jersey market later this year.

“In PlayStar I see a challenger brand that has what it takes, both in terms of product and management team, to become a major player in the US market as it continues to roll out.

“I also believe PlayStar presents a tremendous opportunity for investors looking to leverage the gigantic potential in the US market and I look forward to working closely with them as we grow the business.”

Adam Noble, Executive Vice President at PlayStar Casino, said: “It is a great time for Per to join PlayStar as we get ready to bring our concept to market and really start to build momentum behind the business.

“With Per’s expertise and experience in online gambling, his intimate knowledge of the affiliate space and of course corporate leadership, it’s the perfect time for Per to join and set the company up for success.”

Alona Shevtsova

Sends CEO Alona Shevtsova moderates Global Gaming Expansion panel in Riyadh

Published

56 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

sends-ceo-alona-shevtsova-moderates-global-gaming-expansion-panel-in-riyadh

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, will moderate a panel at The Blockchain show on 29^th June, bringing together experts from entertainment, location-based gaming, and content localisation to examine what it takes to build sustainable gaming ecosystems across emerging markets.

The panel, titled “Global Gaming Expansion: Lessons from Untapped Markets,” will structure its discussion across four themes: the growth dynamics reshaping emerging gaming markets; the role of localisation in creating experiences that genuinely connect with new audiences; the infrastructure and communities needed to build gaming ecosystems beyond the game itself; and the lessons and opportunities that will define successful expansion in the years ahead.

Alona Shevtsova plans to frame the discussion around the central challenge for companies looking to expand globally: entering a new market requires far more than bringing an existing product to a new audience. Understanding local cultures, building communities, adapting experiences, and creating ecosystems that allow gaming to grow sustainably are all as important as the product itself.

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, said:

“The future growth of gaming will come not only from new technologies, but from understanding people — their cultures, communities, and the experiences they want to be part of. Successful expansion will belong to those who can combine global ambition with local understanding.”

The first segment will examine why regions including the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia are becoming increasingly significant for developers, operators, and investors — driven by young audiences, accelerating digital adoption, and new entertainment models creating substantial growth potential. Panellists will explore how consumer preferences differ across markets and what trends among younger audiences are shaping the future of gaming and entertainment.

The third segment will broaden the lens beyond the game itself, exploring the role of location-based entertainment, gaming centres, esports, and experiential destinations in attracting new audiences and building long-term communities. Panellists plan to address how entertainment ecosystems — spanning physical venues, events, and community infrastructure — accelerate gaming adoption in markets where the category is still establishing itself.

Earlier this month, Alona Shevtsova was shortlisted for the 2026 Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the Established Business of the Year category. Her team is also preparing for the Fintech Connect conference in London later this year. Sends will be a leading sponsor of this event.

*Sends is a trade name of SMARTFLOW PAYMENTS LIMITED, registered in England and Wales (Company No.11070048). For more information, visit sends.co .

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