PlayStar installs ex-Kindred Group head as CEO
Peter Ekmark swaps board position for top job as he’s drafted in to replace the outgoing Per Hellberg
PlayStar has named former William Hill and Kindred Group head Peter Ekmark as its new CEO.
Ekmark, who has been on the US-facing online casino challenger’s board since September 2022, will replace outgoing CEO Per Hellberg.
Former Catena Media exec Hellberg had headed up the brand since its launch in New Jersey last year.
PlayStar said Hellberg had overseen a “game-changing two-and-a-half-year tenure” with the company and has left an “incredibly solid base to build from” for his successor.
Ekmark joins PlayStar having left his role as CEO of Harvest Technology last month. He previously served as Internet Vikings CEO between October 2019 and September 2022.
His industry CV includes a nine-month spell with Hills as director of business development, as well as a three-and-a-half-year stint with Jackpotjoy.
Ekmark spent more than seven years with Kindred Group between 2008 and 2015, eventually becoming head of product operations.
Speaking on his new role, Ekmark said: “I’m incredibly excited to be taking over the role of PlayStar CEO and would like to take the opportunity to extend my thanks to Per Hellberg for the amazing foundations he has put down for the company in New Jersey and the US in general.
“Having already overseen incredible growth in our first year of operation, I’m confident we as a team can use the extensive igaming and business management experience I’ve accumulated to help PlayStar cement its position in New Jersey and also expand into other regulated states,” he added.
In July, Glitnor Group confirmed it was set to acquire a 37.5% stake in PlayStar as part of its efforts to make inroads stateside.