Gaming Awards
Deutsche Bank is the American Gambling Awards Dealmaker of the Year
The 2022 edition of the American Gambling Awards is pleased to announce Deutsche Bank is the 2022 “Dealmaker of the Year.” The American Gambling Awards are produced by Gambling.com Group Limited, a leading provider of player acquisition services for the regulated global online gambling industry.
Deutsche Bank was the sole advisor to Caesars Entertainment for its completed acquisition of William Hill PLC for approximately £2.9 billion in April 2021 and subsequent sale of the non-U.S. assets of William Hill to 888 Holdings PLC for an enterprise value of between £1.95 billion and £2.05 billion. The deal created one of the largest U.S. omnichannel gaming operators and was the first multi-billion-dollar outbound deal by a leading traditional U.S. gaming operator. Judges cited how the deal helped change the U.S. gaming landscape and opened the door for other multi-stage, cross-border transactions.
Charles Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer of Gambling.com Group, said, “Caesars Entertainment’s acquisition of William Hill combined two of the premier operations in the sports betting and iGaming industries, and Deutsche Bank’s role as the sole advisor for the transaction makes it very deserving of receiving the Dealmaker of the Year award. Deutsche Bank brings an intimate knowledge of the global gaming industry and proven track record in complex, cross-border transactions.”
Compliance Updates
Rush Street Interactive’s Laura McAllister Cox Named Chief Compliance Officer of the Year at Vixio Global Regulatory Awards
Rush Street Interactive, Inc. is proud to announce that Laura McAllister Cox, RSI’s Chief Compliance Officer, has been awarded the highly coveted Chief Compliance Officer of the Year award at the prestigious Vixio Global Regulatory Awards in London. This recognition celebrates Laura’s exceptional leadership, her instrumental role in navigating the ever-evolving regulatory landscape, and her unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of compliance and responsible gaming at RSI.
The Chief Compliance Officer of the Year award highlights compliance leaders who go beyond the call of duty, leading their departments through the complexities of regulatory change while significantly elevating compliance standards across their organizations. Laura’s nomination reflects her steadfast dedication to these principles and her unmatched contributions to the gaming industry.
“Laura McAllister Cox exemplifies the qualities of a transformative compliance leader,” said Richard Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer of Rush Street Interactive. “Her vision, expertise, and unwavering commitment to regulatory excellence have not only positioned RSI as a pioneer in responsible gaming practices but also ensured that RSI consistently sets the industry standard for compliance and innovation. This award is a testament to her extraordinary impact on our company and the broader gaming landscape.”
Laura’s achievements include leading RSI to become the first U.S. operator to receive the Responsible Gaming Council’s RG Check Accreditation, an honor that underscores the company’s dedication to the safety and well-being of its customers while fostering a sustainable gaming environment. Under her guidance, RSI has also achieved market-leading profitability and strategic expansion into new jurisdictions, all while navigating complex regulatory frameworks with precision.
As Chief Compliance Officer of publicly traded Rush Street Interactive, Laura oversees the company’s compliance strategy across a range of critical areas, including regulatory, licensing, anti-money laundering, technical compliance, and responsible gaming. Her leadership has been instrumental in building RSI’s compliance department into a world-class operation with specialized subject matter experts across these domains.
Beyond her achievements at RSI, Laura is widely regarded as one of the most respected voices in the global gaming industry. Her distinguished career spans nearly four decades and includes serving as President of the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) from 2017 to 2018, as well as legal and compliance leadership roles at esteemed organizations such as Rush Street Gaming, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, and Gaming Partners International Corporation. Her expertise in gaming law and corporate compliance has solidified her reputation as a trusted authority in the field.
Laura’s ability to identify and cultivate exceptional talent, foster collaborative relationships with regulators, and implement forward-thinking compliance strategies has made her an unparalleled leader in the gaming industry. Her initiatives, such as yearly team summits and ongoing training programs, ensure RSI’s compliance team remains agile and equipped to address the ever-changing regulatory landscape.
“I am deeply honored to be named the Chief Compliance Officer of the Year,” said Laura McAllister Cox. “This recognition is a reflection of the incredible work of my team and RSI’s unwavering commitment to compliance excellence and responsible gaming. At RSI, we strive to lead by example and set the standard for innovation, integrity, and collaboration in the gaming industry. I am grateful to be part of a company that values these principles and to work alongside such talented professionals every day.”
The Vixio Global Regulatory Awards celebrate achievements and innovation in compliance and responsible gaming across the global gambling industry.
Gaming Awards
Groove Wins SBC Award for Women’s Empowerment Initiative of the Year 2024
Groove, a leading iGaming platform and aggregator, proudly claimed the Women’s Empowerment Initiative of the Year at the SBC Awards Latinoamérica 2024, celebrating a strong commitment to championing female talent and leadership.
At SBC Awards Latinoamérica, Groove’s win shines as a testament to how empowerment and inclusion propel the iGaming industry forward.
The award was accepted by Carolina Diniz Flauzino, Groove’s Latin America Business Development Manager, acknowledging Groove’s impactful diversity-driven culture.
Over the years, Groove has spotlighted the exceptional women in roles spanning account management, legal, finance, project leadership, tech, and creative design. From Liz Cohen’s pivotal oversight in account management to Salome Janashvili’s transformative graphic contributions and Sapir Hen’s rise in technical management, Groove’s success story is one written in part by the remarkable women across its global team.
Groove’s progressive tech ecosystem with over 15,000 games from 100+ top providers continues driving innovation with new technology soon to be released including an AI-Assistant, gamification tools, and the immersive Smart Lobby. Each feature is crafted to enhance engagement, supporting Groove’s dedication to transforming iGaming while celebrating its talented team.
As Groove innovates with new AI-driven tools and a suite of gamification features, the company reinforces its core belief: a diverse team, empowered and celebrated, drives real success in a competitive market.
Yahale Meltzer, COO and Co-founder, remarked, “This award showcases the impact of our talented team. From its inception in 2016, Groove has championed women’s leadership, featuring dynamic professionals across roles critical to the company’s growth. We’re proud to bring this recognition home, a tribute to the exceptional women who are instrumental in shaping Groove’s future.”
Gaming Awards
Andrew Cardno, CTO of Quick Custom Intelligence, Receives Prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from Gaming & Leisure
Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) is proud to announce that its Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Cardno, has been honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by Gaming & Leisure, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the gaming and hospitality industries over the course of his career.
Andrew Cardno, a seasoned technology leader with over 25 years of experience, has been at the forefront of driving technological advancements in gaming analytics, artificial intelligence, and business intelligence systems. His innovative work has transformed the way gaming operators leverage data to improve decision-making, optimize operations, and enhance the customer experience.
“It is an incredible honor to receive this recognition from Gaming & Leisure. I have dedicated much of my career to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with data and technology in the gaming industry, and this award reflects the collective effort of my team at QCI and our partners across the sector,” said Andrew Cardno, CTO of Quick Custom Intelligence.
Jeannie Caruso, CEO of Gaming & Leisure, praised Cardno’s impact across industries, stating, “Andrew is a rare and amazing human. The terms innovative and disruptive have been incredibly over-used, however, Andrew is the type of genius that actually brings innovative, disruptive and broad solutions to not only our industry, but many industries. He’s often sought after by vendors and properties alike for counsel on complex challenges they face. His passion extends beyond the walls of business to a role he’s devoted many years to as a Science Olympiad Coach to pass his incredible gift on to middle and high schoolers who compete in a broad range of science-related challenges. The world needs more Andrews, and it was my great honor to present him with the Lifetime Achievement Award this year, while still knowing he’ll bring boundless innovation to us far past this award.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded annually by Gaming & Leisure to individuals who have made substantial and lasting contributions to the gaming, hospitality, and entertainment industries. Cardno’s career is highlighted by a series of innovations, including the development of cutting-edge solutions that have enabled gaming operators to better understand their customers and optimize business strategies.
With this award, Andrew Cardno joins an elite group of industry pioneers whose work has had a profound and enduring impact on the gaming industry.
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