PlayStar creates advisory board featuring ex-PENN and Entain heads
New Jersey-facing online casino brings together industry, hospitality, and investment experts to support in-state growth and expansion
PlayStar has formed a six-person advisory board to support the online casino’s growth plans after establishing itself in New Jersey.
The operator, which is only live with igaming and solely operates in the Garden State, said it has now emerged as one of the top 10 online casinos in the state.
The advisory board is formed of gambling, hospitality, and legal experts, including John Finamore, Jai Maw, Carl Sottosanti, Alison Digges, Richard J St Jean, and Terrence Gray.
Finamore, a land-based casino veteran, spent 17 years with PENN Entertainment, heading up its regional operations between 2002 and 2020.
Maw is the co-founder and president of affiliate platform Betting Hero. He led a management buyout of the company for $37.5m from previous owners FansUnite last year.
Former BetVictor marketing chief Digges previously served as Entain’s managing director for the UK and Ireland between 2018 and 2023 and adds core online gambling experience to the board.
St Jean, another former PENN head, most recently served as COO at Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon, California.
Sottosanti represents the third PENN alumnus to join the advisory board, with the EVP and general counsel having departed the Wyomissing-based firm in 2020.
Finally, investment banking veteran Gray counts spells with Deutsche Asset Management, Southern Bridge Capital, and Scudder Investment on his CV.
The advisory board will “support the company’s efforts to sustain its growth in [New Jersey] while exploring further expansion opportunities.”
Launched in New Jersey in 2022, PlayStar received as $15m cash injection from Meyer Global Management in that year.
Glitnor Group also holds a minority 37.5% shareholding in the operator.
Peter Ekmark, PlayStar CEO, said: “At PlayStar, we’re incredibly proud of the significant strides our brand has made in the New Jersey market. Breaking into the state’s top 10 in 2024 is a true testament to how far we’ve come.
“That said, we’re not content to rest on our success – our goal is to continue building on this momentum and become a leading force in the industry, not only in New Jersey but across North America.
“The creation of our advisory board will help us achieve this by leveraging the collective expertise of five highly talented individuals from the casino and hospitality sectors.”
Arnold Ash is EGR’s Executive Recruitment Partner. They support ambitious organisations to identify and attract industry leading executive talent. Find out more here.