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Nueva Codere announces its CEO succession plan

Published

4 years ago

February 25, 2022

George Miller

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Vicente Di Loreto will step down from the CEO position, having completed both the operational transformation and financial restructuring of the Group and having reached an important personal milestone following an intensive professional career that has spanned 35 years.

The succession plan encompasses a transition period to be completed on June 30. From July 1, 2022, Alberto González del Solar and Alejandro Rodino, currently Retail COO and Chief Strategy & Corporate Areas Officer, respectively, will be appointed Co-CEOs of the Group.

From July 1, Di Loreto will continue his commitment to the Group as Board member and senior advisor to the management team.

Vicente Di Loreto, CEO of Codere Group since January 2018, has decided to gradually withdraw from his executive functions as CEO although will remain committed to the Group as Board member and senior advisor to the management team. This personal decision follows an intensive career spanning 35 year, most in an executive capacity, and will permit him to devote more time to his family and personal projects, while continuing to contribute his knowledge and experience to the Group in this new role.

In an orderly transition that, subject to shareholder approval, will be completed on June 30, Di Loreto will transfer his executive duties to Alberto González del Solar and Alejandro Rodino, both of whom will start to hold office as Co-CEOs on July 1, 2022.

“It has been an honour these last four years to be CEO of Codere Group. Alejandro, Alberto and I have been working together for many years and I am convinced that this new arrangement captures what is best for the Company. On completion of the restructuring, I have made a lifestyle decision and decided to pass on the baton of executive responsibility. This will allow me to have more time and flexibility, but my commitment to the project, the new board and the management team will remain intact in my new role as Director and senior advisor to the management”, declared Di Loreto.

Alejandro Rodino currently holds the position of Chief Strategy and Corporate Areas Officer. Previously he held the position of Retail COO for Spain and has been a key member of the executive team, with increasing responsibility for business operations and strategy. He has wide experience in the gaming industry and has been involved with Codere since 2003, either as a consultant or as an employee in various positions. He previously worked in investment banking, in several international assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, fund raising and strategic consultancy.

Alberto González del Solar has held the position of Retail COO since 2019. Before his current role he has been a key member of the executive team, assisting the previous Retail COO in Latin America, provisionally holding the position of IT and Platform Director and was part of the leading team implementing the Transformation Plan of the group. Previously, Mr. González del Solar managed the Argentinean business for several years, at a time when this business unit became the main EBITDA and cash contributor of the Group. Before joining Codere in 2005, he held management positions in several companies in Argentina.

Rodino and Gonzalez de Solar have worked closely together at Codere for over 15 years and have deep operational and strategic experience, both of the Group and the markets in which it operates. They are currently leading on the preparation of the Business Plan 2022-2026, which is under discussion with the Board and shortly to be finalized.

Christopher Bell, non-executive Chairman of Nueva Codere, explains: “Under the leadership of Vicente Di Loreto, the Company has achieved both an operational transformation and financial restructuring in extremely challenging circumstances. He has put all the pieces in place to allow the business return to growth after two years of pandemic. We are grateful for his achievements and fully support his decision, convinced that from his new position of responsibility he will continue to contribute knowledge and experience of great value to the Group. Alejandro Rodino and Alberto González del Solar are two professionals with in-depth knowledge of the industry and renowned throughout the Company, within which they have been cooperating from several positions of responsibility for more than 15 years. During the time we have spent together, we have been able to confirm their commitment and performance and I am excited and honored to be leading a business with a management team of this caliber and strength in depth”.

Belatra Games

From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Wladimir P.

from-‘mummyverse’-to-crash-games:-belatra-reviews-a-landmark-2025

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

BMM Testlabs

‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Wladimir P.

‘chaos-and-soul’:-ebaka-games-plots-global-expansion-after-viral-launch

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

ARC

Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Wladimir P.

racing-meets-nightlife:-sbk-backs-arc’s-new-‘friday-night-live’-series

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: