Ex-Casino Head at Bet365 Joins PlayStar
The online casino start-up PlayStar has announced that it has appointed ex-head of casino at Bet365 Dan Alexander as its new chief operating officer (COO). As part of his new position, Alexander is expected to strengthen the foundations of PlayStar’s online casino offerings, as well as help expand the start-up’s team.
Online casino start-up PlayStar has appointed ex-head of casino at Bet365 Dan Alexander as its new chief operating officer (COO). Alexander will strengthen the foundations of PlayStar’s online casino offerings and expand the start-up’s team. ©AidanHowe/Pixabay
Alexander Has Over a Decade of Experience in Casino Operations
Growing US-based iGaming start-up PlayStar has revealed its new chief operating officer: former head of casino at Bet365 Dan Alexander. As the company’s new COO, Alexander will be focused on helping improve the foundations of PlayStar’s online casino products, as well as play a crucial role in developing the start-up’s overall team.
Dan Alexander was the previous head of casino at prominent British online gambling company Bet365 for three-and-a-half years. In this role, Alexander steered the provider’s expansion into burgeoning global markets and managed a team which handled over 10 international gambling licenses. Prior to his time at Bet365, Alexander spent nine-and-a-half years as head of the UK-facing casino platform at MansionCasino.
Alexander’s Experience at Bet365 Cited in Shared Statements
Commenting on his new role at iGaming start-up PlayStar, Dan Alexander highlighted the company’s combination of high-end technology with a standout team as reason for PlayStar’s future success:
“PlayStar’s approach of combining cutting-edge technology with an exceptional team is a proven formula for success and I am excited to be contributing to what will be an incredible journey. Bet365 is a highly regarded organisation and has given me a superb foundation of knowledge and experience to apply to the role with PlayStar.”– Dan Alexander, Chief Operating Officer, PlayStar Casino
The recently appointed chief executive of PlayStar Per Hellberg praised Alexander’s extensive experience when welcoming him to his new role as chief operating officer:
“Dan brings a massive amount of product, operational, marketing and industry knowledge to PlayStar and I am delighted to welcome him to the team. By adding his great managerial skills to the mix, we have the perfect set-up to take the next steps in our exciting journey to become the number one casino brand in New Jersey.”
Finally, Hellberg touted PlayStar’s state of the art technology capabilities as behind the potential for its growth in the US market: “The foundation of this is our modern, agile technology platform which we are combining with the best team in the business to provide US players with a superior online casino experience.”
PlayStar Also Recently Appointed New CEO
Prior to the appointment of ex-head of casino at Bet365 Dan Alexander as PlayStar’s new chief operating officer, the US online casino start-up also gained a new chief executive in March 2021: Per Hellberg, previously of affiliate giant Catena Media.
As part of his new position, Hellberg will be steering the company’s plans to expand further into the growing US iGaming market, ahead of PlayStar’s launch in New Jersey before the year’s end. Further roll-outs across other American states are also planned for 2022.
Previous to joining PlayStar as its new chief executive, Hellberg occupied the same role at Catena Media, lasting from March 2018 until January 2021 — at which point he was replaced by Göran Blomberg.
Prior to his time leading Catena Media, Hellberg acted as chairman and CEO of Swedish digital newspaper and magazine subscription service Readly, a time during which he led the business from its start-up phase to a stage at which it could be successfully listed on the NASDAQ Stockholm.
Finally, Hellberg also had a brief stint as CEO of Nordic Gaming Group, also known as NordicBet, before it was later acquired by Swedish online gaming company Betsson Group.
Hellberg Sees Major Potential for PlayStar in US Market
In the announcement of Per Hellberg taking over PlayStar as its new chief executive officer, Hellberg accounted for the start-up’s strengths as reasons for it potentially becoming a major operator in the US betting scene:
“In PlayStar I see a challenger brand that has what it takes, both in terms of product and management team, to become a major player in the US market as it continues to roll out. I also believe PlayStar presents a tremendous opportunity for investors looking to leverage the gigantic potential in the US market and I look forward to working closely with them as we grow the business.”
When the news of Per Hellberg joining PlayStar as new chief executive broke, the company’s executive vice president Adam Noble had the following to add:
“It is a great time for Per to join PlayStar as we get ready to bring our concept to market and really start to build momentum behind the business. With Per’s expertise and experience in online gambling, his intimate knowledge of the affiliate space and of course corporate leadership, it’s the perfect time for Per to join and set the company up for success.”
PlayStar Partnered with Gaming Innovation Group in February 2021
In other, similarly related news, February 2021 saw the partnering together of Malta-based online gambling company Gaming Innovation Group, or GiG for short, and PlayStar. The collaboration will see PlayStar assist in the distribution of GiG’s games in New Jersey — a market which it is also attempting to soon enter.
During the announcement of the new collaboration between the two, GiG and PlayStar Casino clarified that they would be working together specifically to host GiG’s games on PlayStar’s online gambling platform — though their plan does hinge on PlayStar being granted a license to operate in New Jersey.
