Worldwide provider of free-to-play gaming products Play Globally has announced the appointment of Stephen Crystal to its advisory board, as well as a new partnership with Crystal’s firm, SCCG Management.
Crystal, who also serves as Betfred Sports‘ Head of North America Development, will join veteran Advisory Board members Susan Hensel and Victor Pronk, providing over 75 years of collective experience across the sports betting and iGaming space. They provide high-value strategic prowess to Play Globally’s seasoned executive team as the company prepares to launch its LuckyFans prototype.
LuckyFans drives live and recorded in-play sports data into a poker engine to determine the outcome of a fast-paced poker game. LuckyFans is free-to-play and leverages advanced machine learning and GPS technology for contextual fan engagement, sweepstakes, and prizes.
Consultancy SCCG was founded by Crystal, who has served as President/CEO of multiple casino holding and public gaming companies. SCCG brings a vast international network of strategic client partners including top sportsbooks and racebooks, sports and racing leagues, fantasy sports and rewards entities, communications and marketing platforms, authentication technology and casino entities.
Crystal has worked as an investor and advisor on financial and M&A projects totaling over $4 billion and served as the President, owner and operator of four major Las Vegas casinos. In addition to Crystal, the SCCG team also includes David Hanlon who served as a C-level executive at gaming giants Caesars World, Inc., Harrah’s, the Rio, and IGT, in addition to serving as an Advisor to the Wharton Entrepreneurial Program.
Pierre Cadena also plays a key role on the SCCG team, having helped to position Playtika, Otter Media and Crunchyroll for acquisition, each totaling over $1 billion. During his tenure at Caesars Interactive Entertainment as the VP of Strategy and Corporate Development, Cadena helped build Playtika, one of the world’s largest social mobile games.
In an official press release, Play Globally’s President/CEO Stephen Dunham spoke about this appointment and said: “The addition of Stephen to the Play Globally Advisory Board and the addition of his SCCG team to Play Globally’s team provides our company with a wealth of expertise in our space. We’re excited to partner with such well-respected industry leaders and to join their global network of strategic partners.”
Crystal also commented on his new position and said: “Play Globally’s ingenuity and strategic role in the sports betting space presents a unique opportunity for leagues, teams, fans, and aligned entities worldwide. The combination of Play Globally’s existing intellectual property, their executive and advisory team, new upcoming technologies, and strategic positioning in the industry, particularly when combined with SCCG’s extensive network and capabilities, makes this opportunity particularly exciting.”
Stephen Crystals’ appointment to Play Globally’s advisory board follows an announcement earlier this month that both parties would be partnering for social and sports gaming solutions.