The Merkur Group has appointed Manuel Kraft to the position of group chief information security officer (CISO), beginning his new role this month.

In his new position, Kraft will take responsibility for overseeing the group’s information security strategy.

“We are delighted that we have been able to recruit Mr. Kreft, a proven expert from within our own ranks, for this key position. With his many years of experience and deep understanding of the challenges of modern information security, he will make a significant contribution to further developing the digital resilience and security of the Group,” said Lars Felderhoff, chairman of the management board of the Merkur Group.

Kreft has been with the Group since 1997, when he started as the first dual student from East Westphalia. Most recently, he served as an authorised signatory and head of it infrastructure and operations.

The Minden native has been involved in all aspects of information security for more than 25 years and played a key role in establishing an information security management system in accordance with ISO 27001. Among other things, the 49-year-old will be responsible for setting up the company’s own competence centre for information security. In addition to a group-wide information security strategy, he will also implement uniform global standards within the 15,000-employee corporation.

“Information security is not a final state, but an ongoing process. Together with my colleagues, I want to help strengthen the digital resilience of the group and actively shape its future,” said Kreft.

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Football Feeds, a prominent source of pre-match data and insights for football via its Pre-Match Office platform, has revealed a new collaboration with Winamax, one of Europe’s most esteemed sports betting operators.

Pre-Match Office is the top pre-match player availability and lineup insight tool from Football Feeds. Covering over 80 events, Pre-Match Office provides daily tracking and updates on injuries, suspensions, and player unavailability.

Incorporating Pre-Match Office data into Winamax’s sportsbook will enhance market refinement speed and accuracy, facilitating better odds compilation and delivering a more captivating product for football enthusiasts.

Football Feeds’ information offers Winamax a dependable resource for pre-match insights, featuring continuous live updates on more than 1,500 injuries, 300 active suspensions, and anticipated line-ups, which are refreshed as team news is released.

After the complete integration of the Pre-Match Office platform within its football trading operations, Winamax will optimize their pre-match processes, minimizing manual research efforts and responding more effectively to recent team news, while ensuring accurate and competitive markets for their customers.

Football Feeds’ CEO Rasmus Hatting said: “We’re very pleased to be partnering with Winamax, a brand that shares our focus on quality and performance. Our Pre-Match Office platform is built to give trading teams reliable, timely insight into player availability and expected line-ups, and we’re proud to support Winamax with data that helps them operate with greater speed and confidence in such a competitive market.

“This agreement represents another important step in expanding our presence among leading European operators and reflects the growing demand for trusted, specialist pre-match intelligence. We look forward to working closely with Winamax and supporting their team with the accurate, actionable information they need every day.”

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Evoplay, the acclaimed game development studio, has named Ashley McCulloch as Vice President North America, strengthening its strategic emphasis on growth throughout the US and Canada.

McCulloch has over 15 years of experience that includes land-based, VLT, and online gaming. She has occupied high-level commercial positions at IGT and Light & Wonder and most recently worked as Director of Account Management North America at Inspired Gaming Group, where she led strategic account development and assisted with new market entry projects.

In addition to her commercial success, McCulloch serves as a board member for Women in Sports and Events, is part of Global Gaming Women, and was recognized in the 2024 Emerging Leaders in Gaming 40 Under 40, highlighting her influence in the industry.

At Evoplay, McCulloch will lead partnerships, regulatory licensing, product launches, and broader business development efforts as the provider speeds up its growth in the North American market.

Evoplay has secured a significant presence in the area, launching in Ontario via collaborations with prominent operators in the province, such as BetMGM and Caesars Entertainment.

In November 2025, Evoplay made a notable initial move into the United States by joining the lottery sector in Washington DC, establishing a connection to the US online gaming landscape.

With McCulloch’s hiring, the company aims to leverage this momentum and continue its expansion throughout regulated US states.

Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay, said: “North America represents one of the most exciting growth opportunities for Evoplay, and Ashley McCulloch’s appointment is a major step forward in realising our ambitions in the region.

“Her extensive experience across land-based and online gaming, combined with her track record in commercial strategy, makes her the ideal person to lead our efforts as we scale.”

Ashley McCulloch, Vice President North America at Evoplay, added: “I’m very excited to be joining the Evoplay team at such a pivotal moment in its growth journey.

“The studio has built a strong reputation for high-quality content, and I look forward to developing partnerships and driving sustainable growth across North America.”

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