Former Stars Group executives join new Hard Rock Digital business
US land-based casino heavyweight launches new JV with Seminole Gaming, igniting significant recruitment drive
US casino heavyweight Hard Rock International has ignited a new Hard Rock Digital joint venture with Seminole Gaming (SGA), recruiting former The Stars Group (TSG) CEO Rafi Ashkenazi as its first executive MD and chairman.
Ashkenazi, who will join the business in 2021 following completion of his gardening leave from TSG, will be joined by former TSG chief legal officer Marlon Goldstein, who becomes an executive managing director of the business as well as Hard Rock Digital CEO.
Former Fox Bet president Matt Primeaux will also join the business as an executive managing director and president of the firm.
The management team will report to a newly formed independent board of directors for the Hard Rock Digital business, to be chaired by Hard Rock International chairman Jim Allen.
“We are honoured to join forces with Hard Rock International on this new venture,” Goldstein said.
“Hard Rock International is consistently at the forefront of innovation and vision in the gaming industry and the ‘Hard Rock’ gaming, hospitality and entertainment venues are iconic worldwide.
“We look forward to providing an authentic, digital experience for Hard Rock’s global fan base within a comprehensive, omni-channel offering,” Goldstein added.
The Hard Rock Digital business will be based in Hollywood, Florida and the US firm has already begun recruiting for a significant number of new roles, in areas including engineering and development, marketing, design and operations.
The newly launched digital business will serve as the firm’s sole vehicle for both online gambling and sports betting internationally.
The business will be fully funded by Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming and will utilise the US casino firm’s database of 130 million US customers and its 250-strong venue-based footprint.
“With the launch of Hard Rock Digital, we are broadening our digital business which enhances consumer experiences and offerings across our interactive gaming and sportsbook offerings,” Allen said.
“Hard Rock Digital also intends to pursue strategic branding and distribution opportunities both within the US and globally. In the US alone, the potential future market size is estimated at $7bn for sports betting and $14bn for online gaming,” he added.
Hard Rock is currently live with mobile betting and igaming in the US state of New Jersey and operates mobile sports betting in Iowa. In September Hard Rock switched its igaming and sports betting platform over to Scientific Games extending its long partnership with the firm.