Scientific Games Corporation’s sports betting business OpenBet has appointed two DAZN and American Gaming Association executives as part of its goal to “reimagine sports betting entertainment,” the company announced on Wednesday. Florian Diederichsen and Jessica Feil join the sports gaming provider ahead of an “exciting” period of change for the business.
Diederichsen joins OpenBet from sports subscription video streaming service DAZN as Chief Technology Officer. Under this new role, the executive will be tasked with evolving OpenBet’s modular sports product offering and accelerating the next generation of sports betting entertainment through the use of cutting-edge technologies.
Diederichsen has experience having held CTO roles at several major sports organizations, including DAZN, where he oversaw the development of the company’s OTT sports service, as well as Perform, where he was responsible for technical operations of its global sports content and video services.
“I’m delighted to have joined OpenBet and thoroughly looking forward to the next chapter of my career,” Diederichsen said upon the announcement. “Development work is already underway behind the scenes that will revolutionize the future of sports betting entertainment and I cannot wait to share our innovative concepts with the marketplace.”
Meanwhile, Feil joins OpenBet from AGA to become the company’s VP, Regulatory Affairs and Compliance “as the business prepares for exponential US and international expansion in 2022 and beyond,” states a press release.
Feil most recently held the position of Vice President, Government Relations & Gaming Policy Counsel at the AGA, where she was one of North America’s leading legal and regulatory experts. She started her career at Ifrah Law, where she advised clients on a variety of areas, including regulation, compliance and licensing.
“With legislation moving quickly within the U.S. and globally, I’m looking forward to providing valuable support and expertise to aid the company’s aggressive growth strategy,” Feil said upon the announcement. “Compliance and regulatory affairs are incredibly important aspects of sports betting and OpenBet continues to set the standard of delivering the safest and most reliable experiences for players to enjoy cutting-edge entertainment.”
According to OpenBet, the appointment of two highly-experienced executives to its senior management team is a move that “reinforces the quality of opportunity and exciting future” that lies ahead for the sports gaming company.
“Bringing Florian and Jessica to the OpenBet team changes the game and is testament to the vision we have here at OpenBet,” said Jordan Levin, CEO of OpenBet. “The appointment of two highly-skilled and respected individuals demonstrates the ambition we have to deliver the next generation of sports betting entertainment to operators and bettors worldwide.”
According to Levin, as the company drives for hyper-differentiation, and with legislation moving at a pace, Diederichsen and Feil will both help take OpenBet forward in their respective fields, while adding “significant value” to the business’ global customer base.
The Scientific Games subsidiary describes the senior appointments as part of OpenBet’s ongoing strategy of investing in people to create value for its customers. The sports betting provider is “doubling down” on operational excellence in an effort to create a competitive advantage and drive the next wave of industry innovation.
OpenBet’s expansion strategy has recently seen the company deploying its mobile sports betting technology in the New York market with its long-term partner FanDuel. The newly-regulated market launched on January 8, after four of nine operators -FanDuel, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings and Rush Street Interactive– received approval from the New York State Gaming Commission.
“We’re ecstatic that New Yorkers can finally enjoy legalized mobile sports betting, as well as grateful for the opportunity to work alongside FanDuel once again to deliver our market-leading technology,” Leo Perrotta, Vice President, OpenServices at OpenBet, commented on the launch.
