Itai Freiberger Promoted At 888

Itai Freiberger Promoted At 888

Thursday, 3 March 2016

Online poker and casino operator 888 Holdings has promoted Itai Freiberger to the post of Chief Executive Officer with former boss Brian Mattingley stepping aside to become the firm’s Non-Executive Chairman.

The parent for sites including 888poker, 888sports and 888casino, Gibraltar-based 888 Holdings revealed that Freiberger has served as its Chief Operating Officer for almost five years and was invited to join its board of directors in May.

“It is an honour to be appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of 888 Holdings,” said Freiberger.

“We have fantastic brands, first-class gaming platforms and unrivalled analytics and marketing capabilities. All of this is underpinned by a dynamic, talented and expert team and together we are looking forward to building on 888 Holdings’ success for our customers, colleagues and shareholders.

“Brian has been an integral part of the 888 Holdings team for over a decade and led 888 Holdings with distinction during a transformational period for the company. Brian served as Chief Executive Officer for three years and since last May's annual general meeting as Executive Chairman. Brian has been integral to the company's turnaround and growth including the launch of 888 Holdings’ operations in a number of new regulated markets. He moves on from his current position within the company with many fantastic opportunities ahead.

“Furthermore, we are delighted to announce that Brian will continue to lead the board and contribute his unique wealth of experience and understanding of 888 Holdings in his role as Non-Executive Chairman. I look forward to continuing to work closely together.”

It has been widely reported that Freiberger is now set to lead the company’s efforts at locating another business to buy after it was narrowly beaten to the purchase of bwin.party digital entertainment in September by rival operator GVC Holdings.

As the industry undergoes a period of consolidation, Freiberger’s tenure could also see the firm sold with William Hill having last year made an unsuccessful attempt to acquire its rival for £700 million ($985.1 million).

“We are delighted to announce the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer,” said 64-year-old Mattingley.

“Itai has played a vital part in 888 Holdings’ success to date and has unique market insight and experience to lead the next chapter in 888 Holdings’ progress. Itai is admired throughout the online gaming industry and has been instrumental in the company's development in recent years. He is therefore, without doubt, the natural choice to take 888 Holdings further forward in the rapidly growing online gaming market.”

Mattingley declared that Freiberger would work with Aviad Kobrine, Chief Financial Officer for 888 Holdings, to drive growth by ‘further developing our first-class customer offering, unrivalled proprietary technology and leading back-office systems’ and deliver value for stakeholders ‘in the years to come’.

“On a personal note, Itai and I have worked closely together over recent years and I believe this is an excellent and exciting choice as our new Chief Executive Officer,” said Mattingley.

“I look forward to continuing our close working relationship in the years to come.”



Tags: 888 Holdings, Itai Freiberger, Aviad Kobrine, Brian Mattingley, 888poker, 888casino, 888sports, GVC Holdings, William Hill, Gibraltar, bwin.party digital entertainment