Continent 8 Technologies 

Bringing four decades of industry experience, Brian Borysewich has joined Continent 8 as chief information security officer to lead the firm’s cyber security, network operations, and compliance teams.

The seasoned cyber security professional brings over 15 years experience from within the United States government intelligence agencies, as well as “extensive expertise” in igaming.

“As a global leader that protects some of the world’s most valuable information, we take data security seriously,” stated Michael Tobin, CEO of Continent 8.

“Brian has been globally recognised as a cyber security practice leader. His accomplishments and leadership have helped companies and governments around the world protect both brand and financial resources. 

“I look forward to working with him in these challenging, but exciting times, as businesses and nations enter ever increasing Cyber security attacks in size and velocity.”

Barona Resort and Casino 

Following an almost 25 year tenure, Rafael Alvarez has been promoted to the role of senior vice president of gaming operations at San Diego’s Barona Resort and Casino.

In his new position Alvarez is responsible for managing the player experience on the casino floor and overseeing all gaming operations departments including slots, table games, poker, Club Barona, special events and promotions.

Regarding the promotion, he commented: “I have grown up in the Barona family and I know why Barona is the busiest casino in San Diego, number one in the industry and consistently winning top casino awards. 

“We offer the best games, the loosest slots and the friendliest atmosphere but at its core Barona is about people. Being available, polite, nice to our players and becoming their friends is what sets Barona apart from every other casino.”

Gaming Realms

Mark Blandford has been appointed to the Gaming Realms board as a non-executive director with immediate effect.

Blandford founded Sportingbet.com and in 2001 floated the company on AIM, before stepping down from the board in 2007 before its eventual sale in 2013 for £485m, which saw assets split between William Hill and GVC. 

Michael Buckley, non-executive chairman of Gaming Realms, said: “We are delighted that Mark has agreed to join the company. He has significant board experience in public companies and the online gaming industry. We welcome him and greatly look forward to working with him.”

Arb Labs

Arb Labs, a provider of optical chip recognition and data management technology for casinos, has appointed Leland Rolling as its new vice president of sales. 

Rolling takes on the role with in excess of ten years experience working with commercial and tribal casinos across the globe in relation to data analytics and visualisations, customer modeling, and marketing processes that improve profitability and client relationships.

“Arb is pleased to be adding Leland to our growing team. He has vast experience working with gaming operators in North America, Australasia and Europe,” says Andrzej Kepinski, Arb’s chairman and CEO. 

“His connections and relationships will be very valuable in ARB’s plans to obtain new clients and increase market share.”

Liberal Democrats 

Mike Dixon has been appointed as the new chief executive of Liberal Democrats, and will take up the position from next week.

Dixon will take control of Lib Dem operations and strategic planning, having formerly served as chief executive of Addaction, a UK-wide support network for people recovering for drug and alcohol addiction and mental health issues.

This follows UK gambling self-exclusion programme Gamstop appointing Dixon as a non-executive director last month.

Tennis Integrity Unit

Following a global search the tennis integrity supervisory board has announced the appointment of Jonathan Gray as the first CEO of the Tennis Integrity Unit.

Gray will take up his new role in mid-February 2020 and will be responsible for leading the continued growth and development of the TIU as it evolves into a broader-based integrity organisation for professional tennis.

He will also be responsible for integrating the existing tennis anti-doping function into a new legal entity with overall responsibility for integrity in tennis.

Jennie Price, the independent chair of the tennis integrity supervisory board, who led the appointments committee responsible for the recruitment process, commented: “Jonny was the outstanding candidate in a very strong and varied field. 

“He shares our determination to create the best, most innovative integrity organisation in sport, and his skills and experience will be vital in helping tennis to realise that ambition. I am delighted he will be joining us, and look forward to working with him.”

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FanDuel

Former National Indian Gaming Commission Chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer has been appointed as FanDuel’s Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. 

Announced on Monday February 26, Simermeyer’s position at the sportsbook and casino operator is an entirely new position for FanDuel. 

The move comes just one week after the former Chairman resigned from his role at the NIGC, bringing his nine-year stint at the Commission to an end. 

“Sequoyah Simermeyer has been at the forefront of shaping and safeguarding tribal gaming, focusing on priority issues and public policy for close to 25 years,” said Rikki Tanenbaum, Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships. 

“We are very honoured to welcome Chairman Simermeyer to the FanDuel leadership team, as he brings a career dedicated to addressing tribal economic development. With his guidance, we look forward to learning how to best partner with and support native sovereign nations across the country.”

“I am joining the private sector for the first time, and it mattered to me to join a team where I could use my background as a former regulator, legislative staffer and public servant to Indian Country,” added Simermeyer. 

“FanDuel is the leader in mobile gaming and has helped shape the rise of the legalised and regulated marketplace in the U.S. Mobile gaming remains a very young and dynamic industry, and I’m excited to help the team build out our capacity to work within Indian Country nationally to take advantage of opportunities ahead.”

PointsBet

Daniel Lucas has been announced as PointsBet’s inbound Group Chief Technology Officer. 

Lucas is set to begin his role on September 1, 2024, after having served out his current role as Global Director of Trading Technology at Flutter Entertainment. 

PointsBet’s current Group CTO, Jerry Bowskill, will step down from the role to be replaced by Lucas after the completion of the sale of its US Business to Fanatics Betting and Gaming. 

“We are very pleased that a Senior Executive of Dan’s quality and experience is joining PointsBet,” commented Sam Swanell, PointsBet Group Chief Executive Officer.

“Dan’s understanding of complex platform and trading operations, in particular algorithmic trading, risk and advanced analytics together with his strong people leadership skills, are valuable assets to PointsBet’s Australian and Canadian operations, as we continue to invest in our market leading live betting and multi capability through Odds Factory.” 

Prior to his role at Flutter, Lucas held senior positions at Sportsbet based in Melbourne, including Head of Data Solutions and Head of Trading Technology. 

Currently based in the UK with Flutter, Lucas is set to head back to Melbourne to take up his new role with PointsBet. 

Lucas added: “I am super excited about the opportunity to join a technology and product led company like PointsBet. They continue to invest in their platforms and there are exciting growth opportunities ahead.” 

SkyCity

SkyCity Entertainment Group has announced that Brad Burnett has been appointed to the role of Interim Chief Operating Officer for New Zealand. 

The move allows current New Zealand COO, Callum Mallet, to assume the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer, after the company announced in October that current CEO, Michael Ahearne, would be resigning come March 2024 for family reasons. 

Ahearne held the role of CEO from November 2020, overseeing the New Zealand and Australian operator after having been with the firm since 2017.

With his new role starting on March 9, 2024, Burnett has previously held the role of General Manager Table Games Auckland at SkyCity since June 2022. 

Prior to that role, the inbound Interim COO for New Zealand had held other positions at SkyCity, such  as the Group General Manager for Hotels. 

Continent 8

Continent 8 Technologies has added Jerad Swimmer to its global sales teams, leveraging Swimmer’s 33-years of experience in the global gaming industry. 

Having previously held roles with Gaming Laboratories International, FABI Cash, Indigo Sky Casino, and 13 other gaming companies, Swimmer joins Continent 8 from BIG Cyber where he was Director of Business Development for the past year.

Swimmer will be responsible for supporting the company’s growth across North America, using his knowledge of the Tribal gaming scene, from roles under the Quapaw Tribal Gaming Agency and the Eastern Shawnee Tribal Gaming Commission, to focus on tribal and commercial gaming operators. 

Michael Tobin, CEO and Founder at Continent 8, stated: “I’d like to give a warm welcome to Jerad who becomes the latest member of our global sales team. Jerad is an industry veteran, with a deep understanding of the US market and the infrastructure and cybersecurity solutions businesses need to succeed in tightly regulated and highly competitive markets. 

“With Jerad on board, we can continue to deliver a world-class experience to our existing customers while engaging those yet to work with us.”

Swimmer added: “It’s an honour to join Continent 8’s global sales team and to be able to support the business with its plans for the North American market, specifically focused on developing relationships with Tribal businesses and Tribal leaders. As a proud member of the United Keetoowah Band and growing up in the gaming industry, I must do my absolute best to protect Tribal country and Tribal assets; the biggest asset being the youth which is the future of our Tribes. 

“I look forward to working closely with Tribal Governments, operators, regulators, and suppliers over the coming months and helping them to find the right cybersecurity solutions for their needs. After all, cyber risks are at an all-time high, and all businesses must be prepared. 

“This is an aspect of business that simply can’t be ignored, and Continent 8 has the solutions and services needed to ensure resilience and protect sovereignty, assets, networks, systems, and data.”

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Expanding on the firm’s existing site in South Charleston, which opened in 2018 to support the state’s sports betting market launch, the second data site has opened up over 200 miles away in Petersburg, West Virginia. Both sites are PCI DSS compliant.

Unveiled in partnership with the Seneca Rocks Regional Development Authority, the data centre adds ‘true disaster recovery’ to the company’s operations, while allowing ‘enhanced business continuity to its suite of solutions’. 

Continent 8 has also enhanced its solution provision in the Mountain State following the state gambling regulator’s approval of the company’s Public Cloud solution, a ‘secure, scalable and resilient multi-tenant laaS platform to host virtualized customer infrastructure’. 

Michael Tobin, Founder and CEO at Continent 8 Technologies, stated: “We are thrilled to have added a second site, allowing us to expand our offering to include disaster recovery, as well as our approved Public Cloud solution in our original site, further establishing Continent 8 as the leading infrastructure provider in the North American market.

“Infrastructure is the foundation operators and suppliers need to succeed, and that’s why the biggest players come to Continent 8. Our solutions, customer service, reputation and experience are unrivalled.”

While this move sees the solutions provider aim for North American expansion, Continent 8’s Regional Sale Director, Gabriel Szlaifsztein, recently spoke to CasinoBeats about the potential of a regulated Brazilian igaming market, where he explained why operators and suppliers in the country must prioritise robust infrastructure if they are to succeed.

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CB: The US market is growing rapidly, with more states due to open up to regulated gambling in the next few months. Are there any particular markets that you believe hold great potential for Continent 8?

JC: Continent 8 Technologies has already made great strides in the US market and today we are live in 25 states and counting. We’ve taken a first-to-market approach across North America, allowing our customers to enter regulated states and provinces from day one. 

Our US market expansion will continue throughout the year with launches in Nevada, Minnesota and Georgia in the pipeline. We are also building secondary or disaster recovery solutions in a large number of states, most recently in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas and Louisiana. 

We expect to see changes to regulations in several other states, so there’s plenty of potential opportunity for further growth for Continent 8 and our customers in the region. 

CB: How will Continent 8 use its regulatory know-how and experience to support companies looking to expand their footprint across the US? 

JC: We’ve spent the past 25 years supporting customers in regulated markets, including in the US. The fact that we power 80 per cent of the 2022 EGR Power US ranking operators is a testament to the quality of our solutions and services, but also our ability to guide customers through the regulatory challenges they face. 

Because of our first-to-market approach, and close working relationship with state regulators, our customers can hit the ground running from day one of the market opening, confident that their infrastructure is fully compliant.

This is crucial given the state-by-state nature of the US, with each market having slightly different requirements for operators to meet. This makes having a blueprint for infrastructure almost impossible, elevating the importance of working with a provider that is approved in all regulated states. 

CB: Continent 8 recently made its debut in Ohio where you made your iGaming Cloud available to licensed operators across the state. For those that might not know, what is the iGaming Cloud?

JC: Our regulated iGaming Cloud offers a scalable and resilient infrastructure platform that allows customers to host virtual servers, compute, containers, storage and network-edge devices without the need for physical hardware.

Customers can scale usage up and down in line with demand, while also benefiting from our powerful DDoS protection. When it comes to market entry, Cloud solutions provide the quickest and simplest route into a new state. 

CB: How is the iGaming Public Cloud removing the leg work when it comes to hardware procurement and compliance?  

JC: With our iGaming Public Cloud, operators and suppliers don’t need to worry about hardware procurement and management at all. Continent 8 manages up to and including the hypervisor but with customers having complete control of their virtual data centre and virtual machines. 

Usage is scalable and with a commercial model that suits the customer’s needs, it is the most cost-effective way of deploying infrastructure in any regulated US state. 

CB: What are your plans for rolling out the Public Cloud to additional states? Are there any markets that are particularly high on your agenda?

JC: It is available to licensed operators in key regulated states including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia and most recently Ohio. We will expand to additional states in the coming months.

CB: From your experience, what are the biggest challenges that operators and suppliers face when it comes to cyber security? And how do you overcome these?

JC: The gambling industry is one of the most attacked, so it’s vital for operators and suppliers to take a proactive approach to protect their systems, networks, infrastructure and data. There is no doubt the industry will continue to be under attack over the coming 12 months, so operators and suppliers must act now to ensure they have the necessary policies and protections in place. 

Those that don’t leave themselves incredibly vulnerable and should an attack get through, will have to contend not only with the financial loss that results but also the reputational damage of having customers’ personal and financial data compromised. This is damage that can be very hard to repair indeed.

To prevent this from happening, a multi-layered approach is an absolute must, and this means rolling out DDoS and WAAP protection as well as MDR/EDR and SIEM/SOC solutions. 

CB: 2023 marks 25 years of Continent 8, congratulations! What can we expect from Continent 8 in its 25th year? 

JC: Thanks! It’s been quite the journey and Continent 8 achieving this significant milestone is a proud moment for the entire team. When you compare where we started to where the business is at today, it’s clear that Continent 8 has come a very long way indeed. Not only has the business changed, but so too has the industry and the challenges and opportunities it presents. 

Our aim has always been to help our partners overcome these challenges and seize the opportunities on the table, and we do a very good job of both. This year, we will continue to do the same while also expanding our network – we are set to pass 100 locations – and the range of products and services we offer, to best serve our customer base. 

This includes our growing powerful Gaming Exchange, a private internet and exchange that can only be used by Continent 8 customers, allowing them to connect directly with one another. It offers a VPN across our backbone network in conjunction with third-party circuits to let customers exchange traffic at the lowest latency and highest performance, while being secure and private. Launched last year, this is a game-changer for our customers.

CB: And if you were to look into a crystal ball, where do you see Continent 8 in the next few years? 

JC: We will further establish ourselves as the go-to infrastructure provider of choice for operators active in regulated markets around the world. We will continue to deploy our ambitious expansion plans in North America and Latin America, while also strengthening our position in Europe and Asia.  

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The reason for the community deut, according to Continent 8, is to allow igaming companies to “connect faster and more securely” compared to the standard internet, with no need for additional configuration. 

This will enable Continent 8 customers to connect directly to other customers, under the same brand, via a VPN across the company’s backbone network, rather than the public internet route. 

“We know that igaming companies are constantly talking to each other over the internet,” stated Justin Cosnett, Chief Product Officer at Continent 8. “The Gaming Exchange is a game-changer for the industry, an exclusive community for organisations to connect on a private, highly secure and ultra-fast network.

“As one of the most attacked industries, the level of security that we can provide via the Gaming Exchange offers a highly valuable solution for our customers. It is products such as the Gaming Exchange that help to further establish Continent 8 as the leading managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and security solutions provider to the global gambling industry.”

Continent 8 stated that the Gaming Exchange offers the “lowest latency and highest performance guaranteed” with both local and remote global reachability. Moreover, the company noted that it has a public IPv4 addressing and an uptime rate in excess of 99.9 per cent. 

Additionally, whilst lauding its “unrivalled levels of security” when compared to the standard internet, the firm believe that it will not be attackable externally and is “fully protected” by Continent 8. 

Moreover, customers connected to the Gaming Exchange will gain access to a Premium Portal, an analytical dashboard that allows them to view and monitor traffic flows within and outside of Continent 8 to other gaming partners.

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The platform offers customers a multi-tenanted, scalable and resilient IaaS platform that allows them to host infrastructure such as virtual machines.

Key features of the platform, says Continent 8, include a self-service portal with template-based provisioning, feature-rich devices, the ability to integrate with co-location, MPLS network and cloud connect services, as well as DDoS protection and additional cybersecurity services.

A significant benefit for customers utilising the cloud is that it eliminates the need for ongoing hardware investment, which in turn provides the flexibility to pay for resources as required. 

In addition, the group fully manages the cloud environment, removing the need for customers to maintain and support infrastructure and instead focus on their business.

Michael Tobin, CEO and Founder of Continent 8 Technologies, said: “Launching our solution in Toronto forms part of our wider expansion plans for North America where we are growing rapidly to meet the demand for this vertical and other rewarding markets. 

“Our customers can be assured that in Continent 8 they have an infrastructure partner that can support them in any location they need.” 

The digital infrastructure provider, which asserts that move comes as a response to customer demand following the province’s regulation of online gambling, is already live and licensed in several North American markets, including New Jersey’s Atlantic City since 2015.

“We have seen a surge in demand for our public cloud solution in Ontario since the province confirmed that it would be opening its doors to legal online gambling for the first time this month,” stated Justin Cosnett, Chief Product Officer at Continent 8 Technologies.

“Continent 8 is no stranger to providing its services in new markets globally. Our presence in Toronto forms part of our unrivalled connected network that spans four continents.”

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The status elevation, which saw the firm build out its capabilities, is said to strengthen the company’s position as a cloud and connectivity provider to the gambling industry as it advances up a tier of AWS partners. 

“Achieving AWS Advanced Consulting Partner status is the next strategic step for Continent 8 as we continue to broaden our hyperscale cloud offering,” explained Justin Cosnett, chief product officer at Continent 8 Technologies.

“It supports our mission to be the multi-cloud provider for the global online gambling industry.”

Continent 8 stated that it has been able to achieve the recognition by expanding the scale and scope of its capabilities across the organisation with additional training and certification for its existing technical team, as well as hiring experienced AWS specialists.

Keith Stafford, head of cloud architecture at Continent 8 Technologies, added: “Since achieving Select Consulting Partner status in February 2021 we have continued to build out our capabilities and team to help customers accelerate the adoption of cloud technologies, supporting over 20 outpost location deployments, as well as many more direct private cloud connectivity to our customers, to date. 

“To achieve advanced tier status is further evidence that we are delivering the best solutions and services – well done to all involved.”

Moreover, the company has been assisting customers with AWS projects and deployments, particularly in North America, with positive customer feedback required to satisfy AWS’ requirements, this includes FanDuel.

Shane Sweeney, VP of IT at FanDuel, noted: “Continent 8 are a key and strategic partner for FanDuel and the combination of Continent 8 Data Center services and Amazon Web Services has enabled FanDuel to focus on its mission of being absurdly fan-focused by delivering the best product in the industry.”

Providing value added solutions and services to customers during their AWS deployments was another key factor in Continent 8 achieving advanced tier status.

Looking ahead, the company stated it will continue to expand its AWS offering, developing additional competencies within its existing teams and functions.

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The network solutions provider says that this will enable it to expand its capabilities and competencies to further assist igaming operators and suppliers with their cloud, connectivity and security needs. 

The recognition comes after Continent 8 completed the comprehensive business planning, training and certification required to become an AWS Select Consulting Partner, while also supporting customers with the deployment of AWS services and solutions.

“Joining the APN and being recognised as an AWS Select Consulting Partner is a strategic step for Continent 8,” noted Keith Stafford, head of cloud architecture at Continent 8 Technologies.

“This alliance provides the opportunity for us to help our clients accelerate the adoption of cloud technologies, demonstrating our commitment to deliver the best possible solutions and services to igaming businesses in markets around the world, including the fast-growing US market.”

Now that it has been recognised as an AWS Select Consulting Partner, Continent 8 adds that it will continue to collaborate with AWS on additional value-add services around its AWS Outpost offering, and to further expand its capabilities and competencies across cloud, connectivity and security.

The APN is the global community of partners who leverage AWS to build solutions and services for their customers.

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This is the second Atlantic City location for Continent 8, which is licensed to operate in the state by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

This expansion is a response to the demand generated by the passing of sports
betting legislation in New Jersey, the company said. A third Atlantic City venue is also planned, to provide additional secure data redundancy and disaster recovery.

The Ocean Resort centre also connects to Continent 8’s Pennsylvania and Nevada locations as the company continues to expand its US network in line with the growing gaming market.

“The opening of the Ocean Resort is a major development for the renewal of Atlantic City,” said Michael Tobin, CEO of Continent 8.

“The new data centre provides independent, licensed infrastructure and cyber-security services for online gaming operators, particularly sports betting providers. Utilising our connected and secured global network allows multi-state customer data to be consolidated in New Jersey, leading to reduced costs and increased service availability to users.”

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