Latest News
Appointment of Frank Suarez as President and CEO of the Connecticut Lottery Corporation
CT Lottery Corporation Board of Directors voted to appoint Frank Suarez, Executive Director of the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming, as the new permanent President and CEO of the Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC). The appointment of Mr. Suarez will be effective as of August 1, 2024.
The appointment is the culmination of a nationwide search that began eleven months ago, with nearly 300 candidates from across the country having applied for the position. Mr. Suarez was selected for the position, as his strategic vision, dedication to customer-centric solutions, and commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment best aligned with CLC’s core values and vision for the future.
Mr. Suarez brings with him a wealth of experience and a strong track record of success in the lottery and gaming industry. With over 10 years of progressive lottery leadership roles, including seven years with the North Carolina Education Lottery as Deputy Executive Director of Brand Management and Communications and, most recently, as Executive Director of the DC Lottery for the past 3 years, he is uniquely qualified to lead CLC into its next phase of growth and innovation.
“I am honored and excited to join the Connecticut Lottery Corporation and to work with the talented team here to drive continued growth and success,” said Suarez. “Our focus will be on maximizing revenue for the state while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and responsible gaming.”
Since 2014, Mr. Suarez has served in leadership roles at two state lotteries, the North Carolina Education Lottery and the DC Lottery. Under his leadership, the DC Lottery saw significant increases in revenue and profitability through innovative strategies and effective management. During his tenure, Mr. Suarez directed a remarkable turnaround in sports betting operations, transforming a loss into profitability in less than a year and establishing the DC Lottery sportsbook as the largest in the District. He also successfully negotiated and led the conversion to a new mobile and online sports betting platform, resulting in an astounding 887% growth in gross gaming revenue within the first 30 days of operation. Mr. Suarez also helped to revitalize iLottery marketing strategies, launch a new mobile app and expand the DC Lottery’s game portfolio. These efforts led to a 168% increase in gross gaming revenue, ensuring long-term growth and profitability for the iLottery segment. Mr. Suarez also currently serves as Vice Chair of Multi-State Lottery Association’s (MUSL) Product Development Committee and Chairman of the MUSL Fast Play Product Group.
In addition to his lottery experience, Mr. Suarez also possesses extensive private sector experience in Brand Marketing and Management, which includes strategy, planning, product innovation, and promotion, for several national and global brands. He holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A) degree from Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Virginia, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A) degree from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina.
“We are thrilled to welcome Frank Suarez as our new President and CEO,” said Robert T. Simmelkjaer, Board Chair of CLC. “His exceptional leadership skills, extensive industry experience, and visionary approach make him the perfect choice to guide our company into the next phase of growth and innovation. We are confident that, under his stewardship, we will continue to achieve remarkable success and continue to deliver value to our players and revenue to the State of Connecticut.”
As CLC welcomes Mr. Suarez to Connecticut, the Board of Directors would like to acknowledge and express gratitude to Greg Smith for his leadership and dedication over the past 6 years. He has been instrumental in steering the Connecticut Lottery to its current position as one of the highest performing lotteries in the country. Effective August 1, 2024, Mr. Smith will assume the position of Special Consultant to assist with the transition of leadership. He plans to officially retire at the end of September.
Award-winning fast-betting content provider strengthens its position in the region with the latest hire
BETER, the in-demand provider of fast-betting content, data, and live streaming for esports and sports, has strengthened its team with the appointment of Juliana Querino as LatAm Business Development Manager.
Juliana, a seasoned business development specialist based in Brazil, has extensive experience in the Latin American iGaming industry. She has previously held various business development positions at Better Collective, Endorphina, Salsa Technology, and other companies. Her expertise was recognized by the G&M News platform, which included her in its Top 5 Women in the Industry 2024 list—highlighting women making significant contributions to the growth of iGaming in the region.
In her new role at BETER, she will drive the company’s expansion across Latin America, forging new partnerships with regional operators and aggregators, particularly in Brazil, where demand for BETER’s content continues to grow.
She will also drive BETER into new LatAm markets where the provider does not currently have a presence while managing relationships with existing partners to ensure they get the most out of the provider’s next-gen content offering.
Chuck Robinson, Chief Revenue Officer at BETER, said: “Latin America is a fast-moving market with opportunities opening up all the time. To capitalize on these, we need an exceptional specialist, and in Juliana, we have found exactly that. Her expertise and deep market knowledge make her a valuable addition to our team.
“We are already experiencing strong demand for our fast-betting products and solutions across the region. With Juliana on board, we can further identify key operators that would benefit from partnering with us, driving even greater growth.
“I’m delighted to welcome Juliana to the BETER team.”
Juliana Querino commented: “Fast-betting content has become essential for operators in Latin America and beyond, and I’m thrilled to join BETER in expanding awareness of its award-winning portfolio.
“BETER is renowned for its ESportsBattle and Setka Cup tournaments, which are already popular among bettors in LatAm. But our offering goes far beyond that, and I’m eager to showcase the full suite of products and solutions to operators from Brazil to Peru.”
“I look forward to helping BETER maximize the full potential of the LatAm market.”
BetBreak.org has published “When and How to Take a Time-Out from Sportsbetting,” a brand-new workbook designed to help readers understand how taking a break – of any duration – from sports betting can be transformational for their mental health, financial health, and relationships with friends and family.
“This workbook and self-study guide is for anyone who wants to explore their relationship with gambling and it’s especially for those who are wondering whether it might be time for a break from sports betting,” said addiction expert Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds.
The workbook includes information about how to know if you are ready to change, tips for curbing your sports betting if you aren’t ready to quit, setting SMART goals, and limiting access to the three things necessary to gamble. The guide also contains proven tools for managing cravings and urges, resources to regain control over your finances, strategies for dealing with guilt and shame as well as stress management tips.
“The BetBreak workbook is based on the science of behavior change and helps readers make the sustainable shifts in habits necessary to live life with more presence, focus, well-being and happiness,” Dr. Reynolds said.
SCCG Management, a global leader in gaming advisory, business development, and investment strategies, has secured membership to the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association (FSGA). As the premier organization dedicated to advancing fantasy sports and sports betting, FSGA provides a collaborative environment where industry leaders, innovators, and pioneers shape the future of these rapidly growing sectors.
By joining FSGA, SCCG Management reinforces its commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends, market developments, and emerging opportunities within fantasy sports and sports gaming. The partnership will allow SCCG to engage with key stakeholders, participate in thought leadership discussions, and contribute strategic insights to the evolving landscape of fantasy sports, sports wagering, and interactive gaming experiences.
With the fantasy sports and sports betting industries experiencing unprecedented growth and innovation, SCCG’s expertise in business development, technology integration, and investment strategy will bring valuable insights to the FSGA community. As a member, SCCG will actively participate in industry conferences, working groups, and networking events, including the upcoming 2025 FSGA Winter Conference, which serves as a hub for leaders, visionaries, and top executives shaping the future of fantasy sports and sports betting.
“FSGA is at the center of innovation in fantasy sports and gaming, and we are excited to join this influential community. At SCCG, we are always looking to align with industry leaders who are shaping the future of interactive sports entertainment. Through this partnership, we look forward to collaborating with fellow members, exchanging insights, and driving innovation across fantasy sports and sports betting,” Stephen Crystal, Founder & CEO of SCCG Management, said.
As SCCG continues to expand its global impact in fantasy sports, sports betting, and gaming technology, its membership in FSGA further solidifies its position as a trusted advisor and partner to the industry’s most innovative companies.
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