Playtech’s Shay Segev tells iNTERGAMINGi why a multi-channel offering is critical to the company’s success.
THE route from land-based to online gaming is a well worn path with a broad spectrum of traditional gaming businesses taking chunks of their operations online, with varying degrees of success.
The return journey – expanding an online business to encompass a retail offering – is somewhat less common. Shay Segev, COO of Playtech and CEO of Playtech Retail, believes that branching out may be key to the future growth of large online gaming brands and a path to sustainable success.
INTERGAMINGi: What is your role within Playtech and Playtech Retail?
SS: “I joined Playtech in 2006 as COO of Videobet, now a key component within Playtech Retail and, over time, took responsibility of the overall online business. In 2011, I became COO overseeing all of Playtech’s operations, sales and customer relations.
“Over the last year the retail segment has become an increasingly important element for the future growth of the company whereby we see convergence across every channel. With that in mind, we decided to launch Playtech Retail and, due to my experience, the team decided that I was the most suitable person to run this venture alongside my other responsibilities.”
What changes in the company have you seen in last eight years?
“When I first joined the company we had 300 people - compared to 3,500 today - and we were almost entirely focused on online casino, with some poker added to the mix. Today, we are the leading global, multi-channel and mobile-first, gaming software and services supplier across all channels with 120 licensees across the vast majority of regulated markets. “The DNA of the company is to invest in innovation and new technology, products and talent and we have proven this concept in a very short period of time. All the strategic and best-of-breed investments we have made have worked out exceptionally well.”
Read the full article in the latest issue of iNTERGAMINGi
