Sutherland, Nelson-Kraft Honored with AGEM Memorial Awards
Steve Sutherland and Lori Nelson-Kraft have been named recipients of the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers’ (AGEM) 2024 Memorial Awards. Sutherland will receive the Jens Halle Memorial Award Honoring Excellence in Commercial Gaming Professionalism and Nelson-Kraft will receive the Peter Mead Memorial Award Honoring Excellence in Gaming Media & Communications.
AGEM created the unique annual awards program to acknowledge Halle’s and Mead’s lasting impacts on gaming. AGEM formally recognizes the honorees each year at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, and this year’s awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. in the G2E Networking Lounge on the exhibition show floor.
Steve Sutherland, from his roots in upstate New York, has spent more than three decades in the gaming supplier sector, including his nearly 25 years at Konami Gaming, where he continues to currently serve as its President and Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors. Steve also maintains a presence with key industry associations such as the American Gaming Association and others. Since coming to gaming after roles in the technology industry, Steve forged immediate and strong relationships with others who helped grow the supplier sector into what it is today, including the award’s namesake, Jens Halle.
Lori Nelson-Kraft, now the Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix, has been a leading voice for gaming for nearly three decades. After starting her career advocating for gaming interests at R&R Partners, Lori was the leading public spokesperson for Station Casinos (now Red Rock Resorts) on all its corporate and community efforts inside and outside Nevada for nearly 15 years before joining the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority as its Senior Vice President of Communications in 2019. Throughout her entire career, she has delivered a strong, passionate voice for the benefits of regulated gaming and helped show how the gaming industry positively impacts the communities it serves.
Playtech, bet365 Partner for Super Spin Roulette
The exclusive game, designed in collaboration with bet365, has become a huge success amongst players as it offers a random Multiplier with each spin, with the highest possible Multiplier being x540. The custom-made studio design puts the Super Spin Roulette at the heart of the action, with all tables placed around the centrally located Super Spin Roulette game.
The game, designed to meet the specific needs of the Spanish market and comply with local regulations, aligns with the growth strategies of both bet365 and Playtech. The partnership focussed on expanding into emerging markets through customized content, is driven by a shared vision to create an innovative and unique customer experience, while maintaining their commitment to safer gambling.
Kevin Kilminster, Chief Product Innovation Officer, Playtech Live: “We are excited to announce the launch of the second version of Super Spin Roulette, specifically tailored for bet365 customers in the Spanish market. Highlighting our dedication to innovation and the creation of bespoke content, this game resonates with the local audience and we look forward to continuing our journey of growth and delivering exceptional gaming experiences to the end-user.”
A bet365 spokesperson said: “Super Spin Roulette, the latest game collaboration with our long-standing partner Playtech, has already proven to be a hit with players,. Now, we’re taking this successful formula and tailoring it to the Spanish market. We are committed to delivering thrilling and unique gaming experiences to players around the world, and this is just another step in that journey.”
NOVOMATIC Netherlands Strengthens Management Board
The appointment of industry expert Alexander Legat as CEO of NOVOMATIC Netherlands B.V. as of Sept. 1, 2024 demonstrates the NOVOMATIC AG Group’s commitment to enhancing the position of NOVOMATIC Netherlands and its strategic direction in the future. Legat takes over the position from Zane Mersich, who has been elected as a new Member of the Supervisory Board. Based in Waalwijk, NOVOMATIC Netherlands was established in 2013 by the Austrian NOVOMATIC AG Group and currently employs more than 350 people. The Netherlands subsidiary manages a total of 21 electronic casinos and operates gaming terminals in 1,600 gaming facilities.
Dr. Legat’s appointment underlines the ongoing efforts to strengthen management structures within the Group in order to meet dynamic market requirements. “With Dr. Alexander Legat, NOVOMATIC Netherlands is gaining a first-rate legal expert who not only knows the Group extremely well, but has also already worked closely with the national subsidiaries,” emphasizes the Executive Board of the NOVOMATIC AG Group. “His appointment is an important step in our work to successfully meet the future challenges in the Dutch market and further expand our position.”
As head of the Group legal department, the Austrian-born Dr. Legat has some two decades of experience and in-depth expertise in the gaming industry. He also holds various supervisory board positions in Austrian subsidiaries of NOVOMATIC AG. Additional training at the Vienna University of Technology in the form of an EMBA in innovation, digitalization and entrepreneurship underpins his extensive expertise.
“I am grateful for the new operational role in the dynamic Dutch market and look forward to working with the local team and the opportunities that lie ahead,” says Legat with enthusiasm.
Zitro Names Albert Zorilla Spain General Director
Zitro, a global leader in the gaming industry, announces the appointment of Albert Zorrilla as its new General Director for Zitro Spain, marking a significant step towards further strengthening its leadership position in one of its main markets.
Albert Zorrilla joins Zitro with a distinguished background in international business, marketing, e-commerce, and multi-channel strategies. He is uniquely qualified to drive the company’s success in Spain and has over a decade of experience in this sector, where he developed a deep understanding of the market and achieved significant results in retail and digital operations.
Johnny Ortiz, Founder of Zitro, commented on the appointment: “We are incredibly proud to welcome Albert Zorrilla to the Zitro family. His proven track record, extensive experience, and visionary mindset make him a tremendous asset as we continue solidifying our leadership position in Spain. We look forward to his invaluable contributions to our team and the growth of our company.
