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NEWS IN BRIEF
McCabe joins Lads
Former Alliance Boots comms director Donal McCabe has been appointed by Ladbrokes to head up its revamped ‘communications council’. McCabe, who serves as director of corporate communications with property business Land Securities, will take up the new role from January 2013 and will assume an overarching role with responsibility for coordinating media, investor relations, public affairs, consumer PR, internal comms and brand.
PLAYTECH COO RESIGNS
Ra? Ashkenazi has stepped down as COO of Playtech, with “more changes to come”, according to a source close to the business. Ashkenazi is the second high-pro?le executive to leave the business in less than two months following eGaming Review’s exclusive story that Aaron Johnson, former CEO of the company’s B2B bingo arm Virtue Fusion, had left the ?rm in September. Ashkenazi, who is based on the Isle of Man where Playtech is incorporated for tax reasons, headed the ?rm's operations and, with seven years service, is one of the company’s longest serving employees, resigned in November. The reasons for his departure are as yet unclear. “The company is managed from the very top and one day people are there and the next they’re not,” a source close to Playtech
Ashkenazi is second high-pro?le exec to leave ?rm in less than two months
revealed. “More changes are afoot but we don’t know what they might be.” In September eGaming Review revealed that Johnson, one of Sagi’s closest advisors and executives, had left the business after allegedly “falling out” with the founder and majority shareholder. He has now left the company with a “substantial payoff”, a source told eGR. Another source close to the company called Ashkenazi’s departure “bad news” for Playtech as he ran “all the operations from the Isle of Man”. “He knows everything about Playtech and everything goes through him,” the source added. Former COO Shay Segev, who has been with the company for four years, has returned to the role after previously being seconded to manage the Gala Interactive launch following its 10-year software agreement with Playtech.
SHFL hires Gabriel
SHFL Entertainment has appointed former Mansion head of product development Nick Gabriel as the new head of its online gaming division. Based in the Gibraltar office, Gabriel will oversee the online B2B operations throughout Europe. SHFL has also received a remote gambling license from the Government of Gibraltar Licensing Authority. A qualified accountant, Gabriel previously served as president of Duelring, and as head of product strategy and development at Mansion.
PINNACLE SPORTS OWNER TO FIGHT “UNTRUE” INDICTMENT ALLEGATIONS
Pinnacle Sports co-owner Stanley Tomchin, one of 25 individuals named in October's high-pro?le indictment, is to ?ght what his representatives describe as “untrue” allegations concerning his alleged activities relationship with his fellow indictees. California resident Tomchin, 67, also known as “Monty” according to the indictment, is currently out on bail, having been charged with “Enterprise corruption and fourth-, third-, second- and ?rstdegree money laundering and ?fth-degree conspiracy,” in the indictment from the Queens County District Attorney’s Office. Among the others named in the indictment are fellow Pinnacle Sports owners Brandt England and George Molsbarger, and ex-Cantor Gaming sportsbook director Mike Colbert, who was stripped of his duties after the allegations. Jeff Ifrah, partner with Washingto n DC
Tomchin, now out on bail, claims to have never met 22 of other 24 defendants
law ?rm Ifrah Law, is representing Tomchin in the case having previously represented Blue Monday indictee Dave Parchomchuk, who was sentenced to two years probation for his role with BetED – a role which he and Ifrah have maintained amounted to no more than a software programmer. Ifrah, who was also among the lawyers to represent Full Tilt Poker in the sale of its assets to PokerStars, said: “Stan Tomchin denies the allegations against him in the indictment. “We look forward to clearing his good name and restoring his reputation.” Tomchin’s representatives take issue with suggestions from US media that he was the ‘Kingpin’ of the illegal gambling activities alleged in the indictment, stressing that he has only met two of the other 24 defendants, and also contest his alleged role as a “top-tier” bookmaker.
Affiliate recruits ?ve
Affiliate network and egaming marketing business Income Access has announced the appointment of its new senior management team. The fivestrong team will take charge with immediate effect, and has been tasked with “creating new initiatives and promoting growth within the company, as it expands its position in the industry.” It comprises head of operations Edward Tkalec, chief marketing officer Sarafina Wolde Gabriel, head of corporate comms and marketing Anna Sell, manager of the software development department Francisco Correa, and Vanesa Cantt, manager of the technical services department.
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