eGaming Review January 2014 | Page 9

month in minutes > Q&A 5 Jim Ryan FIVE DEFINING DEALS OF 2013 > CEO > Pala Interactive The former bwin.party CEO explains why his next challenge is his biggest yet eGaming Review (eGR): Tell us about your new venture, Pala Interactive. Jim Ryan (JR): A few years ago these guys conceptualised the idea that the tribe could actually be a meaningful player in the online gaming market in California, and set out to put in place and start building their ecommerce platform and their poker application. It was this product and vision that I saw earlier this year, and frankly it shocked and surprised me in a very pleasant way. They have a very well thought-out strategy, which is more than just a business plan. They are actually executing it and they have resources that are making it happen. It intrigued me. eGR: What’s the plan? JR: I