Press Releases
Playmaker Taps Taz Patel, Kristine Bill for C-Suite Positions to Accelerate Growth in 2023

Playmaker, a leading social media sports and entertainment content platform, announced two C-Suite appointments, bringing nearly three decades of experience across sports media, strategic marketing and business development to its team. Taz Patel joins the company to assume the role of Chief Business Officer, and Kristine Bill has been promoted to Chief Operations Officer. The position of Chief Business Officer is a role new to Playmaker, while Bill is succeeding former COO Rob Elder.
âThe appointments of both Taz and Kristine clearly articulate the strategic vision and aggressive growth goals we have set for ourselves in 2023,â said Brandon Harris, CEO of Playmaker. âIn the coming months, Playmaker is keenly focused on expanding our roster of creative talent, bringing to life more public-facing events and developing and redefining strategic brand partnerships, all while continuing to publish the first-rate sports and entertainment content Playmaker has become so well known for. Taz and Kristine will be instrumental in leaning into the momentum Playmaker created in 2022, and springboarding our brand to new levels of creativity, influence and notoriety.â
Patelâs responsibilities as Chief Business Officer include scaling the brandâs revenue, expanding platform integrations and securing strategic partnerships to further enhance the company’s progression. Patel is a renowned early-stage startup operator with multiple exits over the past decade and previously founded Captiv8, a leading venture backed AI Influencer Marketing platform. His most notable exits included BlueLithium and Interclick, both acquired by Yahoo!, where Patel contributed to meaningful revenue growth via agency and brand partnerships.
âThe early-stage companies that successfully scale talent, resources and profit have many of the characteristics Playmaker currently exhibits, most notably a lean operation, correctly leveraging technology and partnerships to maximize its output,â said Patel. âThe sports industry is currently in a renaissance period, moving from its traditional state to the true intersection of entertainment, media and technology. Iâm looking forward to utilizing my experience to broaden Playmakerâs sphere of influence and industry market share.â
Bill has been with Playmaker since July 2022, where she most recently served as Senior Vice President of Marketing & Events. In this new position, she will be tasked with leading all initiatives related to marketing, public relations, social media, creator content and e-commerce. Prior to joining Playmaker, she held roles with STN Digital, Blast Motion Inc. and GMR Marketing.
âThe needs of todayâs sports fans are rapidly changing and, as a company, Playmaker is constantly seeking to identify the next great experience, digitally or in-person,â said Bill. âThis year weâll be expanding Playmakerâs influencer program and developing engaging newsletters focused on specific areas within sports, entertainment and culture, as well as expanding our brand footprint with sponsorships and creative content activations at key tentpole sporting events. Iâm excited to work with our world-class team of creatives and partners to provide our engaged audience with the exceptional experiences they demand.â
Playmaker experienced exponential growth throughout 2022 despite a series of market challenges brought on throughout the year. The rising platform saw a 300% jump in year-over-year revenue anchored by significant growth across its 30 social media channels, reaching more than 20 million followers and gaining new strategic partnerships with companies such as Pepsi, PointsBet and No House Advantage. Playmaker supported its financial growth by investing in people â specifically operational, marketing and financial employees â as well as new popular and emerging content creators such as Adam Garfield, Cam Smith and Nyrie Iskandarian. This expansion of talent brought Playmakerâs headcount from 12 to 60 in 2022, a 400% increase. In December 2022, Playmaker was named one of the Best Employers in Sports by notable sports business outlet Front Office Sports.
Latest News
BMM INNOVATION GROUP TO SHOWCASE ITS WORLD-LEADING TESTING SERVICES FOR BRAZILâS FAST-GROWING GAMING MARKET AT BIS SIGMA AMERICAS SUMMIT APRIL 7â10

Company to share expert insights and highlight its fast-track product certification and lottery support at SĂŁo Paulo, Brazil show
BMM Innovation Group (âBMM,â âBIG Group,â or âBIGâ), a technology conglomerate focused on product compliance testing, cybersecurity solutions, and virtual training for the global gaming industry, will exhibit at BiS SiGMA Americas April 7-10 at the Transamerica Expo Center in SĂŁo Paulo, Brazil in Stand No. F133.
As Brazilâs gaming landscape undergoes a significant transformation under new federal regulations, BMM is heavily partnered with operators, suppliers, and regulators through this transition. With its three expert divisions â BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training â the BIG Group brings unmatched expertise in product testing, cybersecurity, and responsible gaming education, all vital for success in the dynamic Brazilian market.
At the show, BMM will highlight its fast-track product testing and certification process, developed specifically to address Brazilâs recertification requirements for B2B and B2C operators. This streamlined service ensures that gaming companies meet all regulatory standards while maintaining their operating licenses with minimal disruption.
BMM Testlabsâ Marzia Turrini, President of iGaming & Cybersecurity, said, âBMM is committed to guiding customers through the certification process with speed, precision, and expert support. Our goal is to reduce regulatory risks and accelerate time to market in Brazilâs evolving regulatory environment.â
At BiS SiGMA, BMM will highlight its support for Brazilâs expanding state lottery market, working closely with operators to support multi-jurisdictional entry and growth. BMMâs lottery and iLottery testing services help ensure full compliance while enabling faster, broader market access.
Visitors to BMM Innovation Groupâs stand at BiS SiGMA Americas will gain insights into the Companyâs full suite of services for cybersecurity and defense, as well as responsible gaming, including:
- Vulnerability assessments, penetration tests, PCI:DSS evaluations, and a suite of managed security services featuring CYREBROâs Security Operations Center, KnowBe4âs security awareness training, and Maxxsureâs risk management platform.
- RG24seven Virtual Training, offering expert-led education on responsible gaming, anti-money laundering, and many other important topics, available in Portuguese, Spanish, and English for gaming professionals worldwide.
Turrini added, âBMM is more than just a test lab. We are a long-term strategic partner, helping shape a secure, responsible, and compliant gaming industry in Brazil and globally.â
BMM invites all BiS SiGMA attendees to stop by Stand No. F133 and discover how the Company drives innovation, reliability, and trust across Brazilâs regulated gaming industry. For more information on BMM’s Brazil support, visit the BMM Brazil Hub at brazil.bmm.com/.
Latest News
No fooling! The All-Inclusive Hotel Room Package is back for summer stays at the Plaza Hotel & Casino

Tomorrow might be April Foolâs Day but this is no joke, the Plaza Hotel & Casino is bringing back Las Vegasâ only all-inclusive hotel room package starting at $125 per person per night.
The Plaza introduced its all-inclusive hotel room package last summer. It was so well received by guests that the iconic downtown Las Vegas property is bringing it back and extending it for all of June, July and August.
âAt a time when tourists are concerned about increasing costs in Las Vegas, including resort fees and paying to park, we wanted to give our guests a more affordable summer vacation option by again offering our all-inclusive hotel room package,â said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino.
The Plazaâ all-inclusive hotel room package waives all resort fees, but guests will still have free access to the fitness center, self-parking, and rooftop pool. It also includes bottomless drinks from the Omaha Bar and Sports Book Bar on the casino floor as well as breakfast and dinner from various dining outlets, and more.
The Plazaâs all-inclusive hotel room package is available for booking beginning today. Rooms must be booked online by Aug. 29 for a stay June 1 through Aug. 30.
Latest News
Jogo da Zebra: The Most Thrilling Version of the Classic Minesweeper Arrives from Vibra Gaming

Vibra Gaming, the leading game and platform developer in the LatAm market, unveils its latest and most exciting release: Jogo da Zebra, a high-adrenaline experience where every click can multiply your winnings. Designed especially for the Brazilian audience, this game reimagines the classic Minesweeper with visuals and gameplay that resonate with local culture.
The game unfolds on a 5×5 grid with 25 hidden tiles. Players can choose how much to bet and how many zebras will appear on the board, directly influencing the level of risk and potential rewards.
To win, players click on the tiles to reveal golden squares, increasing their bet multiplier. At any moment, they can cash out and secure their winnings before encountering a zebra.
The game also incorporates innovative mechanics to enhance the excitement. By selecting the number of hidden zebras on the board (from 1 to 20), players can adjust the difficulty and raise the prize multiplier as they progress. Additionally, if a zebra is revealed followed by a heart, the game grants an extra life, allowing the player to continue without ending the round. This unique feature adds a new layer of thrill and strategy, as only one extra life can be earned per game.
Jogo da Zebra also includes a Turbo Button, which speeds up tile reveals for a more dynamic gaming experience. A Cash Out button allows players to stop and collect their winnings before risking another click.
Ramiro Atucha, CEO of Vibra Gaming, commented: “Jogo da Zebra combines the nostalgia of a classic with captivating gameplay and big rewards. Itâs the perfect game for thrill-seekers who enjoy risk, where every click can make a difference in winning big. We developed it with the Brazilian audience in mind, incorporating a local theme that connects with their culture and gaming preferences.”
-
Canada6 days ago
Online casino with a Nordic twist enters yet another market as it continues to deploy its ambitious international expansion plans
-
eSports7 days ago
PlayVS Announces Multi-year Partnership with Zenni Optical
-
Compliance Updates7 days ago
4ThePlayer Games Secures Certification for the Brazilian Market!
-
partnerships6 days ago
Delaware Park Converts from VizExplorer to Quick Custom Intelligenceâs (QCI) Enterprise Platform
-
Latest News6 days ago
Blokotech appoints Nicolas Castearena as Commercial Director LATAM
-
Canada5 days ago
BCLC Launches âWhatâs played here stays hereâ Campaign
-
Latest News6 days ago
Confut USA and BetExpo explore the football and iGaming market
-
Latest News6 days ago
Eugene Ravdin from SEOBROTHERS joins the SiGMA Awards Americas jury