Inspired Entertainment, Inc., a leading B2B provider of gaming content, technology, hardware, and services, is pleased to welcome Rafael Brunacci as its new Business Development Director for LATAM – Virtuals. In this strategic role, Mr. Brunacci will lead Inspired’s growth initiatives in Latin America, concentrating on expanding the company’s Virtual Sports footprint and advancing its business across this rapidly growing market.

With a strong background in the iGaming industry, payment services, and eSports, Rafael brings the ideal mix of skills to drive Inspired’s Virtuals business forward in LATAM, with a specific focus on the imminent regulated market opening in Brazil. His leadership will play a key role in enhancing Inspired’s presence and delivering value to both clients and partners across the region.

Most recently, Rafael served as Business Development Manager for LATAM at Oddin.gg, where he championed the integration of eSports solutions across Latin America. His efforts helped build market awareness and educate local stakeholders on best practices, positioning eSports as a high-potential sector within the LATAM betting industry. Rafael’s work was instrumental in establishing strategic partnerships, increasing the adoption of eSports, and solidifying the company’s presence within the region.

Prior to this, he was with CoinsPaid as a Business Development Manager LATAM, delivering Crypto Payment solutions to the iGaming industry. Rafael’s diverse experience also includes roles at Intralinks and Prudential Financial, where he honed his skills in digital transformation and financial market solutions across Latin America.

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“We are delighted to welcome Rafael to the Inspired team,” said Ian Freeman, Chief Commercial Officer – Virtual Sports at Inspired.

“Rafael brings a dynamic blend of experience in the iGaming industry, payment services and eSports, which is instrumental as we expand our Virtual Sports offerings across LATAM. As a native Brazilian, fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, his ability to navigate complex market environments makes him exceptionally qualified to drive growth and engagement in this critical region.”

“I am excited to join Inspired and contribute to the Company’s continued expansion in LATAM,” said Mr. Brunacci. “Inspired’s commitment to innovation in gaming technology aligns perfectly with my background, and I look forward to leveraging my experience to foster growth, support clients, and drive the adoption of Inspired’s Virtual Sports products in the region.”

FanDuel, North America’s premier online gaming company, announced a new partnership with the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) becoming an Official Sportsbook Partner and exclusive In-app Streaming Partner in the US.

This collaboration offers hockey fans unmatched access to the PWHL, with FanDuel streaming up to 90 regular season PWHL games and playoffs live on the FanDuel app. Fans can both watch and wager on their favorite teams and athletes throughout the season, with offerings including player prop bets, novelty markets and Same Game Parlays, all in one place. The partnership goes beyond the app, and starting at the beginning of the season, fans will see FanDuel as an integral part of PWHL games.

“FanDuel is proud to partner with the PWHL and support the league’s incredible athletes. This partnership is about creating a new era of fan engagement—one that brings hockey closer to fans while helping grow the visibility of women’s professional sports,” said Dale Hooper, General Manager of FanDuel Canada.

With this collaboration, FanDuel reinforces its leadership as the best sportsbook for fans to engage with their favorite teams and athletes, bringing them closer to the action and women’s hockey than ever before.

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The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians plans to open a gaming facility in Benzonia.

“The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians wishes to share with the public the exciting news that the tribe will open a new gaming facility on its trust land in Benzie County. The facility will create much-needed new employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth for the tribe and for the local community,” reads an undated press release on the tribe’s website.

The gaming facility will be located at the tribe’s community center at 7282 Hoadley Road, in Benzonia, according to the release.

At the Nov. 26 Benzie County Board of Commissioners, John Petoskey spoke to commissioners about the gaming facility on behalf of the tribe.

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Petoskey said he had been in contact with county officials about the gaming facility.

“What the tribe would like to do is to open a gaming facility on Hoadly Road just down the street from the Wesco gas station,” Petoskey said.

He said the tribe submitted a notice of notification to the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Office of Indian Gaming in the summer of 2023.

“In the view of the tribe, this site is eligible for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act under what’s know as restored land exception to the categorical prohibition of gaming after 1988. That was basically the same argument the tribe used for Turtle Creek and was successful in that case,” Petoskey said.

He said state officials also have been notified of the tribe’s intent.

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Petoskey said federal officials had 120 days to review the notice and object.

“At this point, they have not raised objections, so our internal gaming commission at the Grand Traverse Band issued a gaming license on Nov. 21,” he said.

He said after the license was issued, the tribe reached out to Benzie County officials so that they would know what was going on at tribal land and could answer questions from the public.

The tribal center will be renovated to accommodate gaming The tribe also has a housing development on the property.

Petoskey said the facility will feature slot machines and table games.

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Work on the renovation has already started, including electrical and architectural work.

Expanded parking may be constructed if “demand is sufficient” Petoskey said.

He also said the gaming facility would create between 20 and 50 jobs.