Ex-LeoVegas and Enlabs heads join forces for new venture
Melvin Ritsema and Chris Davis unveil HappyHour-backed Xcite as duo plot to bring “amazing product” to market
Former LeoVegas exec Melvin Ritsema and ex-Enlabs head Chris Davis have joined forces to launch a new supplier, Xcite.
The duo confirmed the news on LinkedIn today, 19 September, and revealed the startup would be backed by industry VC HappyHour.
The incubator already invests in the likes of Livespins, Flows and VIP casino operator High Roller.
Ritsema, who will serve as Xcite CEO, leaves his position as a general manager (GM) at LeoVegas having been with the firm for several years.
A seven-year stint with Royal Panda, which LeoVegas acquired in 2017, saw Ritsema eventually named chief marketing officer and MD of the brand.
In October 2020, he stepped up to become commercial performance director for LeoVegas before becoming a GM in February 2021.
Davis, who has been confirmed as chief product and technology officer, heads into the venture after more than eight years with Baltics-facing operator Enlabs.
He most recently served as Enlabs chief product officer from September 2020, having previously held head of gaming and head of casino positions.
Enlabs was acquired by Entain in 2021.
Taking to LinkedIn, Ritsema said: “I’ve had the pleasure of working in this amazing industry for nearly 15 years, leaving the Netherlands when I was 19.
“I’ve seen the industry from every angle and held almost every position possible, experienced massive challenges and victories, and loved every part of it.
“We’ve got amazing plans that will blow you away and while I can’t say much now, if you know me or have worked with me at all over the past few years, you know that we’re putting the building blocks in place to deliver an amazing product that will have our players at the heart of everything we do,” he added.