Latest News
Paysafe appoints Afshin Yazdian as CEO of its U.S. Acquiring division

Yazdian’s appointment completes a new executive leadership team in Paysafe’s global payment processing business
Paysafe, a leading specialized payments platform, today announced the appointment of Afshin Yazdian as CEO of its newly formed U.S. Acquiring division. Joining on July 1st, Yazdian will be charged with bringing to life Paysafe’s vision of being the U.S.’s leading payments solutions provider.
Mr. Yazdian has over two decades of leadership experience in payments. Most recently, he was President of Priority Payment Systems (PPS), a Georgia-based payments technology company serving over 174,000 merchants throughout America. Before that, he served as President & CEO of New York-based Cynergy Data before its merger with PPS. Earlier in his career, he worked for iPayment for over a decade as Executive Vice President and General Counsel and was instrumental in the formation of the company – itself acquired by Paysafe in 2018.¹
The appointment of Yazdian completes the executive leadership team for Paysafe’s recently restructured Payment Processing business unit, which now operates as two, distinct customer-focused divisions. Yazdian takes charge of the U.S. Acquiring division, leading Paysafe’s third party and direct channels; meanwhile, Paulette Rowe² serves as CEO of its global Integrated and Ecommerce Solutions division. Both divisions report directly into Paysafe Group CEO Philip McHugh.
Rowe, who was recently named as one of PaymentsSource’s “most influential women in payments”, joined Paysafe earlier this year and previously worked for Facebook as its Head of Payments and Financial Services Partnerships, and before that Barclaycard. Her appointment to Paysafe’s executive leadership team is designed to accelerate the company’s global integrated payment offerings and cement Paysafe as a leading provider of ecommerce solutions.
Before the appointments of Rowe and Yazdian, Paysafe’s global Payment Processing division was headed-up by industry veteran, O.B. Rawls³, who moves into retirement at the end of June after a career in payments spanning almost four decades.
Philip McHugh, CEO of Paysafe Group, commented: “We’re delighted to complete our executive leadership team in payment processing with the appointment of Afshin. The current COVID-19 outbreak poses significant challenges for our direct merchant customers as well as our ISO and Agent partners, and we’re confident that Afshin, with his track record of building and managing high growth organizations, and his laser focus on customer service, will ensure that we all emerge stronger as the market stabilizes.
Paulette is also an incredible operator and inspirational leader and possesses vast and highly relevant payments experience. She has already had a major impact since joining the team earlier this year.
I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to O.B. – he is a true payments’ legend and has made an irrefutable mark on both Paysafe and the industry in general. We wish him good health and much happiness in his retirement, and he will be missed by all of us.”
Commenting on his appointment, Afshin Yazdian said: “I am incredibly excited to join the Paysafe family, a company I have long admired and an organization I believe is well-positioned for incredible growth and expansion. We will strive to rapidly change the payments industry and become the leading provider of payment solutions in the U.S. by both utilizing technology and focusing on an exceptional customer experience.
Latest News
Maryland Lottery and Gaming Comission Selects Intralot for Lottery System Contract

Intralot S.A. informs the investor community and its stakeholders that on July 15, 2025 the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission approved the recommendation to award a new Lottery Central Monitoring and Control System (LCMCS) contract to its US subsidiary, Intralot, Inc. following a competitive bidding process.
The vendor awarded the contract will manufacture the counter terminals and self-service vending machines that sell tickets at 4,300 Maryland Lottery retailer points of sale; develops the software that runs the system’s sales and accounting functions; and provide numerous related services that are necessary to operate the Maryland Lottery. The term of the contract is 10 years with a possible 5+1 year extension.
As part its proposal to the State, Intralot has engaged nine local business enterprises (MBE) to service the Maryland Lottery contract. Historically, vendors have used fewer MBE partners, but Intralot believes its new approach will create far greater opportunities for local communities.
Intralot’s financial proposal corresponds to a total estimated contract term price of $260,393,946.
The Gaming Control Commission’s approval is an intermediary step in the award process for
approving any future contract.
Latest News
ISI Sports Partners with Canton Gaming to Launch Retail Sportsbook at The Greene Turtle

Global race and sportsbook technology provider Internet Sports International (ISI) has entered into a partnership with Canton Gaming LLC, a retail sports wagering facility located at The Greene Turtle in Baltimore, Maryland. ISI is powering the retail sports wagering operation using its award-winning sportsbook system.
The Greene Turtle Sportsbook is now live, offering patrons a thrilling experience to wager on their favorite sporting events with real-time odds and live-action updates. The automated sportsbook kiosks feature a broad range of betting propositions suitable for both novice and veteran bettors alike.
“ISI Sports is the perfect partner to elevate our sportsbook offerings. In a competitive industry, ISI’s state-of-the-art kiosks enable us to set new service standards and continuously innovate for our guests’ entertainment. The seamless process from negotiations to opening was remarkable, thanks to ISI’s outstanding service,” said Jay Sapperstein, owner of Canton Gaming.
The Greene Turtle has been accepting sports wagers for two seasons and has now upgraded all 10 of its sports betting kiosks with ISI’s proven software. In the near future, the sportsbook plans to offer an increasing array of tailored betting options to meet the evolving preferences of Maryland customers.
“ISI’s advanced technology, combined with 25 years of industry experience, allows us to quickly support both start-up operations and providers transitioning from exiting platforms,” said Ernest Matthews, Vice President and General Counsel.
“With multiple sportsbook providers leaving markets across the US, more retail casino clients are seeking innovative, cost-effective ways to establish or replace their sports betting operations. Their existing hardware can often be reused, significantly reducing initial investment. The recent rollout went flawlessly, thanks to the top-tier facility and staff. We look forward to a long-term partnership, as we are confident that ISI is here for the long haul in retail sports betting,” Matthews added.
Latest News
NYC Council Rejects Bally’s $4B Bronx Casino Bid

The New York City Council has rejected Bally’s land-use rezoning proposal for its planned $4 billion Bronx casino.
The City Council voted 29-9, with four abstentions, against gaming giant Bally’s request to rezone parkland for commercial use at the Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point property it operates in the Bronx. The move effectively ended Bally’s shot to secure the required land use and other zoning approvals needed for winning a casino license. The motion to disapprove of Bally’s request was put forward by Bronx Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato.
The proposed $4 billion Bally’s Bronx hotel and casino resort, totaling more than 3 million square feet, was planned for roughly 16 acres of parking lots and the practice green area at Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point. The complex’s design includes a 500,000-square-foot casino with 3500 gaming machines and 250 table games, a 500-room upscale hotel and a 2000-person event center.
Bally’s, in its official application filed in late June with the New York State Gaming Commission, called Bally’s Bronx a “once-in-a-generation” investment. “This development represents an audacious vision to develop a former landfill and transform it into an economic engine for the Bronx — the borough’s single largest private development.”
Without Bally’s in the running, the field of New York casino contenders narrows to seven. Three developers previously ended their plans, including the $12 billion Hudson Yards West casino proposal from Related Cos., Oxford Properties and Wynn Resorts. The group dropped its bid following strong community opposition.
Three casino licenses are available for the downstate region that includes New York City. A viable bidder would have to secure a two-thirds majority vote from a community advisory committee before a proposal could advance to the next round and be considered by the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board, which will make its final decision by Dec. 1. In addition to a $1 million filing fee, the teams selected would each have to pay a $500 million license fee while also meeting the requirement of a $500 million minimum capital investment.
If none of the bids secures enough committee votes, the state will not issue any licenses.
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