Crucial Compliance

Responsible gaming and AML strategy specialist Crucial Compliance has appointed Nigel Birrell as non-executive chairman, just weeks after Andy Masters joined the board as COO.

Birrell brings a wealth of experience which will support the company’s ongoing strategy for international expansion. It also further bolsters the governance of the business, providing a springboard into new markets.

Paul Foster, managing director at Crucial Compliance, said of the appointment: “We are thrilled to have Nigel join the team. With his unrivalled industry knowledge and experience, we are looking forward to receiving his counsel in helping to shape Crucial’s future for sustainable growth.

“In attracting someone of Nigel’s calibre, we have reiterated our commitment to driving safer gambling and business change through holistic growth strategies.”

OtherLevels

OtherLevels has announced the appointment of Jenny Lu as North American general manager. She joins the firm having built and led teams at the intersection of paid media, acquisition, online casinos, lotteries and sports betting in North America for over a decade.

Prior to joining the company, Lu was director of sales at Optimove where she led the growth of US and Canadian gaming sales. From 2009 to 2018 she was director of account management at Income Access, a Paysafe company, and previously director of client relationships and partnerships at Income Access.

Brendan O’Kane, OtherLevels’ CEO, stated: “We are thrilled to welcome one of the most respected and recognised gaming executives to the OtherLevels team. Jenny brings extensive experience across the online casino, lottery and sports betting sector, and has a tremendous track record in client management, partnering, sales and business development.

“We believe her experience of paid media and acquisition, coupled with her deep knowledge of CRM and related technologies, will accelerate OtherLevels growth across the OtherLevels in-play, open data platform and intelligent messaging solutions.”

Maxima Compliance 

Full-service compliance provider Maxima Compliance has appointed gaming counsel Paola Menachem as its director of regulatory and licensing.

Menachem has more than two decades of legal and regulatory experience within the gaming industry, at the likes of Intralot, the Zeal Group and the solicitors firm Smithfield Partners. At Maxima Compliance, she will lead the regulatory and licensing team.

Antonio Zanghi, Maxima Compliance managing director, said: “Our regulatory and licensing department continues to grow rapidly as more gaming businesses turn to Maxima Compliance to facilitate their entries into new markets, and maintenance in existing ones.

“Welcoming Paola to the team means we are able to continue to scale this part of our operations with one of the industry’s leading experts in the field.”

PlayUp

Online betting entertainment and tech firm PlayUp has appointed Dennis Drazin to its board, where he will work directly with US CEO Dr Laila Mintas. Together they will help drive the USA business and support the company with its global growth strategy.

Drazin is the chairman and CEO of Darby Development LLC, the operator of Monmouth Park, the largest racetrack in New Jersey. The track made history when it took the first legal sports wager by Governor Phil Murphy on June 14, 2018.

Daniel Simic, global CEO of PlayUp, commented: “Dennis is a well-recognized figure in the USA betting industry and will add enormous experience to our board. I look forward to working with him and Laila as we expand our global footprint.

“Significant progress has been made to introduce fixed-odds horse racing in the USA and what better person to have on our board than the man helping to currently oversee the pilot program.”

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According to a statement on the Liquor & Gaming NSW website, the regulator investigated the operator, which trades as Draftstars, after discovering 33 illegal advertisements on its website.

In Downing Centre Local Court on 12 August, PlayUp was found guilty “on all 33 counts of publishing advertisements which included inducements to participate, or to participate frequently, in gambling activity – as well as an inducement to open a betting account”, an offence in the Australian state.

Liquor & Gaming NSW noted that in the state, it is “prohibited to offer any inducements to open betting accounts, refer friends to open betting accounts, keep a betting account open or consent to receive gambling advertising” and a “maximum penalty of $110,000 applies to any corporation and $11,000 for individuals who publish prohibited gambling advertising”.

Dimitri Argeres, Director of Compliance & Enforcement at Liquor & Gaming NSW explained that online operators know about the state’s requirements when it comes to offering inducements.

“NSW bans the advertisement of any offer of an inducement to participate in a gambling activity, including an inducement to bet more frequently, to persons who do not hold a betting account with the betting operator,” Argeres said.

“Wagering operators like PlayUp Interactive are able to legally advertise their products in a variety of ways, but they can’t advertise or promote inducements such as offers of increased odds or bonus bets to entice people to open a betting account.

“It is the responsibility of the betting service provider to ensure prohibited gambling advertising is not published or communicated in NSW. Liquor and Gaming NSW will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to these offences, and this sentence shows that strong penalties can apply.”

PlayUp Interactive was contacted by CasinoBeats for comment on this story.

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The former announced that it was pulling out of the deal in a Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, with the deal initially slated for completion during the current quarter.

The projected merger was first detailed in September 2021, in a transaction that valued PlayUp at $350m and would have seen the group list on the NASDAQ.

In cancelling the transaction, IGAC noted: “The board of directors of IGAC has determined that IGAC will not be able to complete the transactions contemplated by the BCA or any other initial business combination within the time period required by its amended and restated certificate of Incorporation, as amended. 

“Accordingly, IGAC will dissolve and liquidate pursuant to the terms of the Charter, effective as of the close of business on January 11, 2023, and will redeem all of the outstanding shares of class A common stock that were included in the units issued in its initial public offering, at a per-share redemption price of approximately $10.12 after taking into account the removal of a portion of the accrued interest in the trust account to pay taxes and for dissolution expenses.”

The becomes the latest in a number of headlines that PlayUp, with the company recently deemed unsuitable for an Ohio gaming licence after the state regulators found what they deemed to be illegal gambling. An appeal is expected.

Furthermore, the company is also still dealing with the potential fallout related to the investment from embattled crypto company FTX.

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The verdict stated that, due to the district court’s assessment of the evidence at the time it considered the motion, there was “no possibility of PlayUp establishing that it was entitled to a preliminary injunction”. 

The decision from the US Court of Appeals follows an ongoing legal dispute that stemmed from the online betting and gaming provider citing breach of contract claims, alleging that Mintas had attempted to damage the firm and “engaged in conduct directly in violation” of contractual terms in causing the collapse of a proposed sale. 

If overturned, the injunction would have prevented Mintas from “engaging in any form of conduct or making statements or representations that disparage, portray in a negative light or otherwise impair the reputation or commercial interest of plaintiff PlayUp”. 

The US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal reviewed the denial of a preliminary injunction for abuse of discretion, in which it looks at if a district court abuses its discretion when its decision is based on “an erroneous legal standard or clearly erroneous finding of facts”. 

As part of its appeal, PlayUp needed to establish that it is likely to succeed on the merits that it is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary relief, that the balance of equities tips in its favour, and that an injunction is in the public interest. 

Moreover, the Court of Appeal could have applied a “sliding scale” approach, which would allow a stronger showing of one element to offset a weaker showing of another. 

However, the court concluded that PlayUp “had not met the first of the Winter factors, the likelihood of success on merits”, stating that the determination was “not clearly erroneous”.

Furthermore, the court disagreed on PlayUp’s claim that the denial of relief was erroneous because it had failed to discuss whether the company raised “serious questions going to the merit”. 

The Court of Appeal stated that if the district court had commented specifically on PlayUp’s argument under the alternative standard, its review “might have been simpler”, however, the decision stated that it was “clear” from the court’s discussion that it concluded that PlayUp “did not make the showing necessary under the alternative standard either”.

Additionally, the district court expressly stated its view, based on the record at the time, that it appeared “more likely” that Mintas had properly “exercised her executive responsibility and that she was turned into a scapegoat” for the failed deal. 

On the aforementioned points, the Court of Appeal claimed that, on the district court’s assessment of the evidence at the time it considered the motion, there was “no possibility of PlayUp establishing that it was entitled to a preliminary injunction” under the sliding-scale standard. 

The decision from the appeal will now uphold Judge Gloria Navarro’s original judgement to deny the motion in January of this year, in which she stated Mintas’ defence had successfully demonstrated “that it was just as likely or more likely that the actions of Daniel Simic are the ones that caused the negotiations to cease irreparably”. 

The alleged collapse of a proposed acquisition by cryptocurrency exchange FTX saw Mintas’ defence claim that Daniel Simic, PlayUp Global’s CEO, “became greedy” and caused the deal to fall through. 

Citing an email from November 9, 2021, a prior filing claimed that Simic disclosed to Dr Mintas that he wanted to require FTX to acquire a company purportedly unrelated to PlayUp, PlayChip, for an additional $105m, and the group to pay a $65m incentive to Australian “key staff”, including $25m for himself, which increased the total acquisition price to an additional $170m.

Concluding the Court of Appeal verdict, it emphasised that its decision was not ruling on merits of the case itself, but reaffirmed that the lower court was acting accordingly when it previously ruled on its decision to uphold the decision to throw out Mintas’ PlayUp restraining order. 

The court concluded: “To be clear, we do not hold that one party or the other will necessarily prevail on the merits if this case proceeds to trial. In terms of preliminary relief, however, the district court’s denial of the motion for preliminary injunction was not an abuse of discretion.”

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The potential move, which comes as the group stands poised to further enhance its foothold in the US’ digital gambling space, comes as the PlayUp board of directors state an intention to consider “a full range of alternatives”.

Alongside a divestment of the company, the board is to also examine the possibility of entering into strategic partnerships “or other possible transactions”. Boutique investment bank Innovation Capital has been retained as exclusive financial advisor to assist with the strategic review process.

This comes as PlayUp discloses that it is currently working through completion of the certification process by Gaming Laboratories International and is closing in on approval to launch its proprietary betting, entertainment and sports technology platform across the United States markets.

“As a next generation entertainment and technology company offering online sports betting and igaming in the United States and online betting, daily fantasy sports and esports throughout Australia, PlayUp has developed BEST to be a highly scalable and robust online betting platform that provides an integrated product experience,” PlayUp noted in a media release. 

“The BEST platform will allow users to have a single account, single wallet and single app in the United States or Australia to make bets across all supported betting products. All BEST intellectual property is self-developed and owned by PlayUp.” 

PlayUp is already live in the US states of New Jersey and Colorado with sports betting and across more than 25 states with Slots+. The group also boasts 11 online sports betting and/or igaming market access agreements across eight further states.

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The collaboration, which also sees the company become exclusive wagering partner of the Sydney-based rugby league outfit, will include digital advertising across website and social channels, game day signage and a promise of “money can’t buy” opportunities for clients.  

Furthermore, in addition to match day activations, PlayUp will also gain naming rights to the Wests Tigers Field Club at Commbank Stadium, as well as a number of branding rights.

These include branding on 2022 playing shorts, which will expand to two panels for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 seasons, and jersey branding across these same years for the men’s and women’s jerseys.

Justin Pascoe, Wests Tigers CEO, welcomed PlayUp on board: “On behalf of all at Wests Tigers, I’d like to welcome PlayUp as our official wagering partner and express our thanks for their support over the next four years,” he said.

“It’s great to embed a first-class global wagering brand into our corporate family, and we’re looking forward to a strong partnership on and off the field.”

This partnership represents PlayUp’s first major sponsorship of an Australian sporting team, with rugby league said to represent “a significant component” of the group’s offering

Paul Jeronimo, PlayUp Australia CEO, said: “PlayUp and the Tigers have bright futures being up and coming players against their respective competition, so this partnership is a perfect match. At PlayUp we love NRL and are excited to partner with the Wests Tigers ahead of the 2022 season.”

Wests Tigers’ 2022 NRL campaign gets underway on Saturday 12 March at their CommBank Stadium home versus Melbourne Storm, before a first away game of the season eight days later at the Newcastle Knights.

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The relationship between the two, lauded as the “largest team sponsorship in NLL history,” will see PlayUp gain market access, should sports betting become legalised in Texas in the near future. However, this would be subject to Panther City Lacrosse Club receiving a sports betting licence and pending requisite regulatory approvals.

PlayUp USA chair, Dennis Drazin, commented: “Texas is an evolving state in terms of sports betting and should legalisation occur, we want to ensure we are positioned to maximise that opportunity. 

“We are excited by this partnership with Panther City as it gives PlayUp a great opportunity to grow our brand and connect directly with fans throughout the state.”

Moreover, the deal will see the online betting and gaming provider establish itself as a Panther City founding partner, as well as a fantasy sport and esports partner.

The link-up represents PlayUp’s first Texas-based sponsorship and will include promotional elements to increase brand awareness to Texan sports fans. 

This includes prominent logo placement on the Panther City jersey, branding opportunities on the media banner backdrop, team website and commercial presence during locally broadcast games. 

Furthermore, in-stadium branding will be included at main entrances, on-field logos and board signage at regular season and post season home games.  

Greg Bibb , Panther City president and CEO, concluded: “We are thrilled to welcome PlayUp as a Partner of Panther City Lacrosse Club. We look forward to introducing our fans to the PlayUp brand and we are proud to wear the PlayUp name on our game jersey.”

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9

A Nevada court denied an emergency motion for a preliminary injunction to be issued against Dr Laila Mintas by technology supplier PlayUp, after finding that the group’s ex-CEO had not caused the collapse of a proposed sale and “was turned into the scapegoat”.

The ongoing legal dispute stems from the online betting and gaming provider citing breach of contract claims, alleging that Mintas had tried to damage the business and ultimately “engaged in conduct directly in violation” of contractual terms in causing the collapse of a proposed sale.

However, Judge Gloria Navarro denied the motion for a preliminary injunction, stating that Dr Mintas’ defence had successfully demonstrated “that it was just as likely or more likely that the actions of Daniel Simic are the ones that caused the negotiations to cease irreparably”.

The alleged derailment of a proposed acquisition by cryptocurrency exchange FTX has previously seen Mintas’ defence claim that Daniel Simic, PlayUp Global CEO, “became greedy” and caused the deal to fall through. 

Citing an email from November 9, 2021, a prior filing claimed that Simic disclosed to Dr Mintas that he wanted to require FTX to acquire a company purportedly unrelated to PlayUp, PlayChip, for an additional $105m, and the group to pay a $65m incentive to Australian “key staff”, including $25m for himself, which increased the total acquisition price to an additional $170m. 

3

Maverick Gaming has filed litigation to challenge what it dubs “an erroneous application of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act”.

This, the company says, is being used inappropriately to give tribes exclusive rights to certain types of gaming, such as sports betting, that are not allowed in non-tribal gaming properties in Washington state.

The company’s legal representative adds that the state is misusing IGRA to “create tribal monopolies on certain types of gaming,” in addition producing “tribal monopolies on certain types of gaming”.

In response, the Washington Indian Gaming Association has called the lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, a “desperate attempt to overturn federal law” which it says represents the sentiments of the general public in the region.

“It would severely undermine the well regulated and safe system of limited gaming that has been established in Washington state over three decades of carefully negotiated compacts between the state of Washington and native American tribes,” responded Rebecca George, executive director of WIGA.

13.10

Crown Resorts confirmed the receipt of a fresh takeover offer from a company on behalf of funds managed and advised by Blackstone and its affiliates.

The revised proposal, which has been made after considering non-public information provided by Crown during initial due diligence, represents a price of A$13.10 cash per share.

This comes in at an increase of $0.60 cash per share compared to the previous offer of $12.50, which was announced to the Australian Stock Exchange on November 19, 2021. 

Blackstone had made a number of acquisitive overtures to the embattled casino operator, with its latest proposal subject to the same conditions as its prior motion.

This includes, but is not limited to, completing further due diligence; unanimous support and recommendation by the Crown board; execution of a binding implementation agreement; and Blackstone receiving final approval from the casino regulators in each of Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia. 

The Crown board said that, following consideration, it considers that “it is in the interests” of the group to engage further with Blackstone on a non-exclusive basis.

12.7

Take-Two Interactive unveiled a definitive agreement that will see the New York headquartered firm purchase Zynga in a cash and stock transaction valued at $9.861 per Zynga share, based on the market close as of January 7, 2022, with a total enterprise value of approximately $12.7bn.

Under the terms and subject to the conditions of the agreement, Zynga stockholders will receive $3.50 in cash and $6.361 in shares of Take-Two common stock for each share of common stock outstanding at closing. This represents a premium of 64 per cent to the group’s closing share price on January 7, 2022.

The purchase, lauded as a unity of “two global leaders” of interactive entertainment, is expected to deliver in the region of $100m of annual cost synergies within the first two years after closing.

The transaction is expected to be finalised during the first quarter of Take-Two’s 2023 fiscal year, ending June 30, 2022, subject to the consent of stockholders of both firm’s, as well as the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including applicable regulatory approvals.

402

Flutter Entertainment continued to execute on its M&A intentions into 2022, with the gambling group announcing the completion of its previously announced Tombola transaction.

The acquisition, which became finalised following the receipt of all necessary regulatory confirmations, has seen Flutter pay £402m which has been fully funded through the group’s current cash and debt facilities.

The firm asserted that its latest portfolio addition is set to deliver several “key strategic advantages,” with diversification of its products one such benefit previously pinpointed.

Furthermore, the operator group also highlighted that Tombola would also create a more engaged and sustainable player base, while enhancing Flutter’s safer gambling strategy.

4.85

US commercial gaming continued its record breaking momentum into November, with the American Gaming Association’s Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker showing that the 30-day period marked the second-highest grossing month.

The group reported that revenue from traditional casino gaming, sports betting and igaming reached $4.85bn, which demonstrated growth of 35.3 per cent year-on-year and up 1.3 percent from October 2021.

Prior to 2021, monthly commercial gaming revenue had never surpassed $4bn, however, this now represents the ninth-consecutive month where that figure has been exceeded.

With December revenue yet to be reported, 2021 annual gaming revenue reached $48.34bn through the end of November, shattering the industry’s full-year record of $43.65bn in 2019 and tracking 21.3 per cent ahead of the same eleven-month period from two years earlier.

On a state-by-state basis, 23 of 26 commercial gaming jurisdictions that were operational in November 2019 saw revenue growth over that month, with decreases only witnessed in Kansas (-10.6 per cent), Louisiana (-6.3 per cent) and New Mexico (-9.1 per cent).

60

Everi is looking to drive its development capabilities, as well as carve out opportunities for further global penetration, after detailing an agreement to acquire certain strategic assets of Atlas Gaming and Atlas Gaming Technologies.

The purchase will include game development technology and intellectual property of the Australia-based developer and provider of proprietary gaming content and products, with Everi expecting to close the transaction within the next 60 days.

The company said that the newly acquired assets will complement its existing game development studios and portfolio of games, while providing a pathway for future expansion into new international markets.

In conjunction with the acquisition of these assets, Atlas development and engineering team members will join Everi, who will fund the acquisition from existing cash on hand.

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The ongoing legal dispute stems from the online betting and gaming provider citing breach of contract claims, alleging that Mintas had tried to damage the business and ultimately “engaged in conduct directly in violation” of contractual terms in causing the collapse of a proposed sale.

However, Judge Gloria Navarro denied the motion for a preliminary injunction last week, stating that Dr Mintas’ defence had successfully demonstrated “that it was just as likely or more likely that the actions of Daniel Simic are the ones that caused the negotiations to cease irreparably”.

The alleged derailment of a proposed acquisition by cryptocurrency exchange FTX has previously seen Mintas’ defence claim that Daniel Simic, PlayUp Global CEO, “became greedy” and caused the deal to fall through. 

Citing an email from November 9, 2021, a prior filing claimed that Simic disclosed to Dr Mintas that he wanted to require FTX to acquire a company purportedly unrelated to PlayUp, PlayChip, for an additional $105m, and the group to pay a $65m incentive to Australian “key staff”, including $25m for himself, which increased the total acquisition price to an additional $170m. 

PlayUp had alleged that communication between Dr Mintas and Sam Bankman-Fried, CEO of FTX, had torpedoed the potential transaction, after she had been asked not to attend a meeting between the parties in the Bahamas.

Following this gathering, FTX emailed the company to confirm that it had decided against pursuing a full acquisition. Navarro, however, noted that this had not been submitted to the court despite it being “definitely relevant to the issue at hand and does certainly place things in a much different light”.

“This email confirms that Mr Simic had added new terms to the deal when he and Costa met with FTX,” Navarro stated. “You know, and it’s just more likely that this point, in my mind, that Dr Mintas was exercising her executive responsibility and that she was turned into the scapegoat.” 

She added that an initial injunction was granted as the “threat that was claimed by the plaintiff seemed very real at the time,” and that such an order seemed necessary under the circumstances.

However, Navarro commented that PlayUp has “failed to demonstrate that the defendant breached the non-disparagement provision under the employment agreement”.

Responding to this latest development, Dr Mintas’ legal representatives reassert that she “strongly denies their allegations and will fight vigorously against the remaining claims and prosecute her counterclaims”. 

These include counterclaims for fraud, defamation, and abuse of process, with it alleged that PlayUp “abused and manipulated the legal process and had an ulterior motive for bringing this litigation and seeking a preliminary injunction”.

Mintas argues that the global defamation has caused “irreparable harm to her reputation, loss of income, devaluation of her shares, among other damages”, and that PlayUp and Simic “made false and inflammatory accusations against Dr Mintas, calling her irrational, corrupt, incapable and incompetent”.

It is also said that she suffered “extreme or severe emotional distress, with the unnecessary stress that was caused,” as well as stating that the company “is guilty of oppression, fraud and malice” as it “never intended to enter into a new contract”.

Furthermore, the defence is also aiming to declare that a restraining order in Australia, “has no force and effect,” with it added that the company “is still trying to gag Dr Mintas”.

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Filing the opposition to the United States District Court District of Nevada, Dr. Mintas and her team denied allegations that upon beginning contract renewal negotiations, Mintas demanded a 50 per cent annual pay increase from $500,000 to $1m, as well as an uptick in her shareholding to 15 per cent.

Furthermore, the papers, filed in the Silver State on December 3, 2021, also state that the defendant requested to be appointed as global CEO of the group, which would require the termination of current incumbent Daniel Simic.

Upon an agreement not coming to fruition, PlayUp alleges that Mintas “engaged in conduct directly in violation of the agreement.”

This, the company says, was done via contacting Sam Bankman-Fried, CEO of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, which was in negotiations to purchase certain PlayUp assets for $450m.

During the negotiations, it is affirmed that the defendant informed FTX that “there is conflict within management of PlayUP, there are systemic issues, and that the company is not clean,” which the company alleges ultimately caused the failure of the sale.

The filing stated that PlayUp’s CEO “torpedoes” the $450m deal with FTX and the company allegedly “sought to make Dr. Mintas the scapegoat”.

It read: “PlayUp Inc. ran to this court accusing Dr. Mintas of disparaging PlayUp and causing the FTX deal to fall through. However, PlayUp withheld from this court two key emails that not only demonstrate that it was not Dr. Mintas that sabotaged the deal but rather PlayUp Ltd.’s global CEO, Daniel Simic, became greedy and caused the deal to fall through. FTX passed on the deal due to Simic’s actions – not Dr. Mintas.

“In an email from November 9, 2021, Simic disclosed to Dr. Mintas that he wanted to require

FTX to acquire a company purportedly unrelated to PlayUp, PlayChip, for an additional $105m, FTX to pay a $65m incentive to Australian ‘key staff’ including $25m for himself which increased the total acquisition price to an additional $170m (the “side deals”).

“Dr. Mintas has since learned that PlayChip is controlled by all Australian board members of PlayUp: Simic, Michael Costa, and Richard Sapsford. Dr. Mintas expressed her disapproval of those side deals that may harm the shareholders of PlayUp Ltd. and put Simic’s interests above those of PlayUp Ltd. 

“In response, Simic and the other two board members associated with PlayUp and PlayChip freezed Dr. Mintas out of the Company and painted a picture of her sabotaging the deal.

However, FTX provided an email explaining why they passed on the deal, identifying many demands made by Simic that it would not agree to – including the acquisition of PlayChip. PlayUp conveniently failed to provide this email to the Court and instead accused Dr. Mintas of disparaging PlayUp, causing the deal to fall through. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

Earlier this month, Dr. Mintas condemned allegations that she threatened to “burn PlayUp to the ground” as “wrong”, further stating that the accusation “makes no sense”.

Issuing a statement to SBC Americas responding to the media coverage, Mintas stated: “I am a major shareholder in PlayUp as of today and invested seven figures of my own savings into the company. It makes no sense that I would have made any of those comments that are quoted in the filing or tried to destroy a deal to sell PlayUp as I would have benefited from that as well as all other shareholders. 

“All the claims mentioned in the fillings are wrong and my lawyers are working on filing shortly my response to those claims to tell the true story based on written evidence.” 

Mintas claimed that she was unable to comment “in every detail right now” as it would force her to make negative comments about the Australian leadership. 

She added, however, that over the last two years she has built up the PlayUp USA business from scratch “…having been the US CEO of PlayUp and the only person on the ground for the first almost one and half years”.

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