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Superbet Group appoints Jimmy Maymann as Chief Executive Officer

Published

2 years ago

November 20, 2023

superbet-group-appoints-jimmy-maymann-as-chief-executive-officer

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Johnny Hartnett, CEO, will be stepping down from his position and moving to its Board as Non-executive Director effective 15 January 2024.

Jimmy Maymann, Deputy Chairman of Superbet, will succeed Johnny as CEO effective 15 January 2024. Jimmy brings extensive senior and board-level leadership experience, combined with a proven track-record as an innovator and entrepreneur specializing in the creation, development, and transformation of companies across the technology & media sectors, digital services, telecoms, and NGOs.

As a seasoned tech investor, Jimmy has played a pivotal role in the creation and growth journeys of more than 10 companies, whilst also being involved in several of their successful exits, with one of the most relevant examples being the online video distribution platform GoViral, which he co-founded and was later sold to AOL in 2011.

Jimmy previously served as Executive VP of AOL’s portfolio of content brands, reaching a global audience of 499 million unique visitors every month. Prior to this, he was the CEO of The Huffington Post, being responsible for designing and executing on an international expansion strategy that saw the establishment of editions in 15 international markets and which helped fuel its audience growth from 35 million to around 210 million unique visitors each month.

“Superbet has tremendous potential in terms of business scalability and expansion into international markets, all within a solid framework of trust between the Group, its customers and market stakeholders. The progressive thinking of the leadership team is a testament to this highly talented and visionary group.

I am delighted to take on the role of CEO and offer my expertise and passion, closely working with Superbet’s Board to accomplish the company’s goal of becoming a global leader in the tech and entertainment industry, while fostering an exemplary environment of responsible gaming. I look forward to building on the great work done to date and leading the team in its next phase of growth.”

Jimmy Maymann, Deputy Chairman of the Board and Incoming CEO, Superbet Group. 

“Jimmy Maymann has an impressive background, which seamlessly blends successful entrepreneurial endeavors with significant experience of creating global scale. As such, he is a perfect fit for the mindset and next stage of growth and scaling for Superbet.

We are confident that Jimmy will have a strong positive impact on the Group’s strategy and business model, while working together with the team to realize the growth opportunity for Superbet.”

Hans Holger-Albrecht, Chairman of the Board, Superbet Group.

“The last five years have been the ride of a lifetime. I’d like to thank Sacha and the Dragic family for the opportunity they gave me and the unwavering trust, support, guidance, and friendship over my five-year tenure. I took over a business with an incredible foundation to work from and hopefully the building blocks we’ve put on top of that will set the business up well for the next phase of its growth.

Thank you to all my colleagues who worked with me during that time. I’m immensely proud of all we’ve done together and look forward to continuing to support you all from a different seat on the bus.

Superbet is very fortunate to have someone of Jimmy Maymann’s experience, capability, and leadership to take over as CEO. I look forward to ensuring a seamless transition with Jimmy and to continued commitment to the Superbet journey in my next role on the Board of Directors.”

Johnny Hartnett, CEO, Superbet Group. 

“I am grateful to Johnny for his tremendous impact on Superbet’s growth and performance over the last five years and I am delighted he will take up a new role on the Board. He leaves a great team ready to further scale and continue our journey of growth.

Furthermore, I am delighted with Jimmy’s appointment, as he brings enormous leadership and remarkable experience to continue and accelerate our growth through our people. Having Jimmy as CEO is a clear statement that we are continuing to build and develop a long-term strategy of global expansion. I look forward to continuing to work with both Jimmy and Johnny in their new capacities, as we bring Superbet on its next chapter of growth.”

Sacha Dragic, Founder and Board Member, Superbet Group. 

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Belatra Games

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

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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: