SUZOHAPP has announced the appointment of Jim Kirner as its new Sales Director for North America.

With over 20 years of experience in the gaming industry, Jim brings a wealth of expertise to his role and will be pivotal in driving SUZOHAPP’s sales and product strategies across the region.

Throughout his career, Jim has been instrumental in driving transformational changes in the gaming sector, helping companies innovate and enhance the player experience. In the past, he directly worked on driving the adoption of Ticket-In, Ticket-Out (TITO) systems from the ground up and he played a critical role in the development of bonusing software solutions, as well as strategic accounts initiatives. His extensive experience spans a wide range of gaming sectors, including electronic table games, cash access services, ticket redemption kiosks, and slot machine sales at both the property and corporate levels. Prior to joining SUZOHAPP, Jim held key leadership positions at IGT, DiTRONICS, Interblock, and Aruze Gaming Global.

“I’m excited to join SUZOHAPP and leverage my experience to help drive growth and innovation across North America. Our industry is evolving rapidly, and I look forward to working closely with our talented team to deliver cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers while enhancing the gaming experience for players everywhere,” said Jim Kirner.

“Jim’s extensive background and in-depth understanding of SUZOHAPP’s customer base will be invaluable in refining our sales and product strategy. We are confident that his leadership and industry knowledge will be crucial to our continued success in North America, and we look forward to his contributions in strengthening relationships with customers and partners across the region,” said Geoff Mc Dowell, President of SUZOHAPP.

Altenar has increased its focus on the North American iGaming market with the appointment of Matthew Ferrara as Sales Manager.

Based in Miami, Ferrara has previously spent two years working in Croatia as a live trader on US sports for Superbet before returning to the United States to join micro-betting provider Kero Sports as Business Development Manager, specialising in outbound sales and strategic partnerships.

He now strengthens Altenar’s sales team and will focus primarily on the North American market as the sportsbook provider looks to expand its operation.

Matthew Ferrara, Sales Manager at Altenar, said: “My previous roles have given me a good understanding of the sports betting industry from both a B2B and B2C perspective, understanding the pain points and what an operator is looking for in a sportsbook solution.

“There was a lot of appeal about joining Altenar, especially the back office tools and trading team. Paired with the use of official data and top data providers, operators will have a significant competitive edge and offering tailored to their regulatory needs.

The fact that Altenar already has so many clients also means the company has the expertise of what works best in each market and what the user preferences are in each region. Having such a strong product is a huge appeal and I’m excited to meet potential new clients to highlight what we can do.”

Charlie Williams, Commercial Director at Altenar, said: “We are delighted to have brought Matthew on board to strengthen our sales operation in North America amongst other markets. He has a strong understanding of the needs of operators and he will be a valuable asset as we look to bring more clients from North America on board.”

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Duranbah Limited N.V., the operator of MyBookie.ag, based in Curaçao. The site offers a variety of casino-style games, such as slots, poker, and live-dealer games like blackjack, roulette, and craps. It also allows users to place bets on sporting events and horse races.

MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams stressed the agency’s dedication to safeguarding consumers and ensuring compliance with Michigan’s gaming regulations.

“Our investigation into MyBookie.ag found that their operations were accessible to Michigan citizens, which violates state laws. We are taking strong action to uphold the principles of fair and legal gaming,” Williams said.

MyBookie.ag offers numerous payment methods for deposits and the funding of players’ accounts, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, PayPal, various cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and others), and MoneyGram. However, withdrawals can only be made via Bitcoin or bank wire transfer.

The MGCB’s investigation revealed that MyBookie.ag’s operation of online casino-style games for paying customers, without a valid Michigan gambling license, breaches several state laws, including:

• Lawful Internet Gaming Act: Internet gaming is only permitted by licensed operators. Only casinos licensed under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act and federally authorized tribal casinos within Michigan may apply for such a license.

• Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act: Operating a gambling business without an MGCB-issued license is a felony, carrying penalties of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, or both.

• Michigan Penal Code: Gambling, which involves consideration, prize, and chance, is broadly prohibited. Accepting money or anything of value with the understanding that it will be paid based on the outcome of an uncertain event is illegal.

Duranbah Limited N.V. has 14 days from receipt of the letter to cease offering gambling services to Michigan residents, as required by the cease-and-desist letter. If the company fails to comply, the MGCB is prepared to collaborate with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office for further legal actions.

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