With comings and goings commonplace across the industry, DraftKings at Casino Queen, Casino Guru, and Flutter Entertainment, all feature in our latest rundown of a number of recent manoeuvres.
Mindway AI
Mindway AI has strengthened its commercial expertise after adding Willem van Oort as its newest board member.
Van Oort, a consultant and founder of several European igaming communities, will support the company with its international expansion strategy and stakeholder management.
“We are very pleased to welcome Willem van Oort as Mindway AI’s new board member,” commented Rasmus Kjaergaard, CEO of Mindway AI.
“Willem’s knowledge of the gaming industry is outstanding, and he brings strong strategic and commercial competencies that will help Mindway AI on its international growth journey.
“This year, we will be expanding both inside and outside of Europe, and Willem will be a valued advisor in this process.”
Mindway AI’s board of directors now consists of group Founder and Professor Kim Mouridsen, Better Collective CFO Flemming Pedersen, former Director General at the Danish Gambling Authority Birgitte Sand, as well as van Oort.
Flutter Entertainment
Flutter Entertainment has confirmed that Michael Cawley has decided to end his nine-year tenure as a non-executive director of the gambling group.
Having previously served as the Chief Executive of Ryanair, Cawley has been a corporate advisor of Flutter since 2013, providing guidance on the business’ transformative mergers with Paddy Power in 2018/2019 and The Stars Group Inc in 2020.
The firm confirmed that Cawley had decided not to seek re-election at the firm’s annual general meeting scheduled on April 28, with Holly Keller Koeppe to be the replacement as Chair of the Audit Committee.
Meanwhile, Zillah Byng-Thorne has committed to serving a further year as a non-executive director, before stepping down from Flutte governance duties before the 2023 General Meeting.
Gary McGann, Chair of Flutter, commented: “I wish to take this opportunity to thank Michael and Zillah for their exceptional contribution to the board over the past nine years.
“We wish Michael well for the future and I look forward to continuing to work with Zillah during her remaining term as a director.”
Casino Guru
Šimon Vincze has been promoted to Sustainable and Safer Gambling Lead at Casino Guru, in a move that the firm says is part of an overall, group-wide growth strategy.
With several years of experience in project and event management, Vincze joined the Casino Guru team in 2020 and has subsequently led the team across a number of responsible gambling projects.
“Ever since I joined, I’ve been taking on more and more responsibilities and working towards our goal of improving online gambling for everyone,” he noted.
“Thanks to valuable feedback from industry professionals and advancements in responsible gambling, we now know how to reach this goal better than ever before.”
Adding: “I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved in making gambling safer and excited to see the future impact of our endeavors.
“I am also thankful for becoming a part of such a great team, as well as meeting many inspiring professionals at industry events and conferences.”
DraftKings at Casino Queen
Marc VanderWeele has become general manager of DraftKings as Casino Queen, where he will oversee day-to-day general operations and provide leadership to department heads and team members.
Furthermore, VanderWeele, who has been a team member with the property, formerly known as Casino Queen, since its opening in 1993, will also oversee the opening of the venue’s sportsbook facility.
“Marc has been a trusted member of DraftKings at Casino Queen since the day it opened, and is an ideal fit for general manager,” said Terry Downey, President and CEO of CQ Holding Company.
“He brings in-depth knowledge specific to the community and local industry that can only be accumulated over time. We’re confident that he will continue to propel DraftKings at Casino Queen forward with his strategic vision for guest service and property operations.”
