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.
NetGaming, a fast-growing online casino content supplier, is proud to announce its launch in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive, Inc., a leading online casino and sports betting company in the United States, Canada and Latin America. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone for NetGaming as it continues to expand its footprint across regulated North American markets.
As part of the launch, Ontario players on BetRivers can now enjoy a diverse portfolio of NetGaming titles, known for their high-quality graphics, immersive gameplay, and unique themes. Standout games such as Zeus’s Thunderbolt, Bison Gold, and Fireball Inferno are among the first to go live, with additional titles set to follow soon.
This partnership is just the beginning. NetGaming plans to extend its collaboration with Rush Street Interactive into Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Mexico over the coming months.
Pallavi Deshmukh, CEO of NetGaming, commented: âWe are thrilled to go live with Rush Street Interactive, a powerhouse operator with a strong presence and loyal player base. This launch marks a significant milestone in our
North American expansion strategy and underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences tailored to local player preferences across the region.â
Richard Schwartz, CEO of Rush Street Interactive, commented: âWe are pleased to partner with NetGaming to bring innovative, premium games to our players in Ontario. This collaboration aligns with our strategy to offer world-class
entertainment through engaging, action-packed online casino games. We look forward to expanding this partnership into additional regulated markets in the months ahead.â
This strategic partnership highlights both companies’ dedication to providing high- quality, innovative, and responsible entertainment to players in regulated markets.
Canada
Vancouver Resident Purchased Winning $40 Million Lotto Max Ticket While Quenching Sparkling Water Craving
Phuc Duc (Daniel) Chau loves the Bubly brand of sparkling water and stopped in a convenience store to purchase a can. Chau likes to buy lottery tickets based on a gut feeling, and due to the employeeâs bubbly nature while he purchased his Bubly, Chau also purchased a Lotto Max ticket for the May 23, 2025 draw. Â
It was this ticket that ended up scoring Chau a whopping $40-million jackpot. Â
âI was at work when I found out,â recalled Chau of the moment he realized he won. âI was going through my bag to find a cough drop, but I saw that I had two lottery tickets in my bag and decided to scan the tickets, but I needed to update the [BCLC Lotto!] app first. The first ticket I didnât win anything, but the second said $40 million. I have never seen that many zeroes in my life, ever. I dropped my phone and then called BCLC right away!âÂ
At the time of the prize claim, the Vancouver resident hadnât yet shared the news of his win. Â
âMy partner doesnât know yet! I want to share the news with them in a special way.â Â
Chau shared that his dream has always been to travel the world. âThere are so many places I want to go to, so I havenât fully decided!âÂ
When asked if he will quit his job, he said, âI havenât decided, but I want to continue to support my community in a different way.âÂ
On how it feels to be a multimillionaire? Â
âIt means a lot to me. It opens up an opportunity for me to give back to my family, community and the world all around me. Itâs not meaningful unless you can share this with those who need it.â Â
Chau purchased the winning ticket at the 7-Eleven on Imperial Street and Boundary Road in Burnaby. Â
So far in 2025, B.C. lottery players have redeemed more than $146 million from Lotto Max. Lotto Max is a nationwide lottery game drawn on Tuesdays and Fridays after 7:30 p.m. (PST). Â
Players can purchase tickets at lottery retailers or at PlayNow.com. Winning numbers and group release forms can be found online at www.bclc.com. Players can check their lottery tickets anytime, anywhere on iOS and Android devices.Â
BCLC offers socially responsible gambling entertainment while generating income to benefit all British Columbians. Players can visit PlayNow.com to learn how to set time and money limits.
Latest News
ACR POKER AND CHRIS MONEYMAKER TO SEND PLAYERS TO $300,000 GTD MONEYMAKER TOUR MAIN EVENT THIS SEPTEMBER
Play in the Beast Mega Satellite this Sunday for a chance to win a share of over $44,000 in Moneymaker Tour packages to Aruba
Players now have an opportunity to win an unforgettable poker vacation to one of the hottest live events in Aruba this fall. ACR Poker and poker legend Chris Moneymaker are guaranteeing a host of exclusive packages to the $300,000 GTD Moneymaker Tour Aruba Main Event in September.
ACR Pokerâs online Beast Mega Satellite, on Sunday, June 22nd at 5:05pm ET, will guarantee 12 Moneymaker Tour packages worth $3,700 each, totaling $44,400 in value. Players can buy-in for just $95 or qualify for free by placing on the Beast weekly leaderboard.
Each package includes the $1,700 Main Event buy-in, a four-night hotel stay (September 25th to 29th), and $1,000 in airfare. Players will then compete for a share of the $300,000 GTD prize pool, all while enjoying epic poker and off-the-felt experiences set against the stunning backdrop of Aruba.
“Weâre all about making poker fun and accessible, and this Aruba stop is the perfect mix of serious competition and a great vacation,â said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. âWhether youâre chasing the title or just chasing the sun, this satellite gives players a chance to play poker in an incredible location and hang out with fellow poker fansâall for a small buy-in. Canât wait to see who wins their way there this fall.â
This exclusive opportunity is part of Chris Moneymakerâs popular land-based poker tour, which includes stops in Las Vegas, Florida, and Canada. From September 26th to 28th, the $300,000 GTD Main Event in Aruba offers players the very best of live poker in a stunning paradise setting. Beyond the poker tables, players can enjoy pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and the vibrant island culture of this Caribbean gem.
Also this Sunday, players can join the penultimate Vegas Main Event Satellite at 2:05pm ET, where 10 packages (worth $12,500 each) to the $10,000 buy-in Main Event in Las Vegas will be awarded. In addition, the Sunday Moneymaker Tournament will take place at 1:05pm ET with a $109 buy-in and a guaranteed prize pool of $300,000.
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