Full-service digital and cloud infrastructure provider to support customers launching in the fast-growing, emerging regulated Brazilian market with its cutting-edge solutions
Continent 8 Technologies, the award-winning managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and cybersecurity provider to the global iGaming and online sports betting industry, is set to launch in Brazil. This strategic expansion aims to address growing customer demand in this rapidly emerging market. The move comes in anticipation of the market’s quick progression towards a comprehensive regulation of its online offering, with an expected launch in the summer of 2024.
Its move into Brazil strengthens its position in the wider Latin America region, where it has taken an ambitious first-to-market approach to deliver tailored solutions to customers in the likes of Colombia, Peru and Puerto Rico. Brazil adds to a private network spanning more than 100 locations across the world, making it one of the Top 20 best connected networks globally.
Operators and suppliers in Brazil will be able to benefit from Continent 8’s full suite of innovative and reliable digital and cloud infrastructure solutions including a Public Cloud, a scalable and cost-effective offering, with a usage-based commercial model to suit the customer.
Customers will also be able to access its Gaming Exchange, a powerful private internet that offers unrivalled speed, capacity and security, as well as a full suite of cybersecurity solutions designed to combat the ever-changing threat landscape.
Cybersecurity will be a major concern for both operators and suppliers making a move in Brazil as it is a hotbed for cyber attacks, in addition to the iGaming and online sports betting industry being one of the most vulnerable to attack ahead of healthcare and finance.
“Brazil looks set to be a hugely significant market and one that our customers are keen to explore.
“Digital and cloud infrastructure is the foundation of any successful online business, and we are delighted to be launching in Brazil to support new and existing customers with our solutions and services as they make their move in the market.”
Continent 8 has strategically positioned itself with certified operations in various locations across Latin America. This recent expansion into the Brazilian territory is integral to Continent 8’s long-term Latin American and global growth strategy as the company looks to deliver essential local, technical and regulatory support in each new and emerging market.
“For more than 25 years, we have been supporting customers as they launch into new and growing markets, and we couldn’t be more excited to be doing this in Brazil.
“This is a market that offers tremendous potential to both operators and suppliers, but they must have the right foundation in place to maximise the opportunities on the table. Continent 8 has the experience, expertise and solutions to help businesses do just that.”
The go-to infrastructure provider for the global online gambling industry expands its product suite, offering customers connectivity to Cloudflare
Continent 8 Technologies, the award-winning provider of managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and security solutions to the global online gambling industry, has strengthened its private Cloud Connect solution via a partnership with Cloudflare.
Now, via Cloud Connect, customers can benefit from a direct, private and secure connection between Continent 8 infrastructure and cloud service provider, Cloudflare.
Cloud Connect is a leading solution that allows operators and suppliers to benefit from a secure connection via Continent 8’s private MPLS global backbone. This reduces the public attack surface and provides the highest level of reachability at the shortest “hop” between infrastructure and cloud services.
Continent 8 launched its Cloud Connect private connectivity offering more than six years ago and now provides its customers with fast, secure and resilient access to Cloudflare, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and Microsoft Azure.
“Growing our product suite by partnering with Cloudflare enables both of us to offer customers the most secure, fast and efficient connectivity.
“It is partnerships such as this that have allowed Continent 8 to become the go-to infrastructure and cloud provider for operators and suppliers in the global online gambling industry, providing a one-stop-shop for customer needs.”
Over the past 25+ years, Continent 8 has earned an unrivalled reputation for reliable infrastructure and connectivity, innovating, developing, and providing services to support the most demanding online requirements. The addition of Cloudflare is a testament to this, expanding its Connect portfolio offering.
“Working together, Cloudflare and Continent 8 network architecture teams were able to utilise both our large global networks to identify key points of presence (POPs) where we can interface and exchange private routes for use by our customers, expanding our Cloud Connect capability.
“This is a powerful partnership between two leaders in the infrastructure space and one that allows Continent 8 to bring tremendous added value to its customers.”
The trusted infrastructure provider for the global online gambling industry leverages global cloud experience, supporting customers seeking demonstrable migration expertise and management
Continent 8 Technologies, the leading provider of managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and cybersecurity solutions to the global online gambling industry, has strengthened its VMware solution capabilities by achieving Premier Partner status in the newly formed Broadcom program.
The Broadcom Partner Program for VMware Cloud Service Providers (VCSPs) enables Continent 8 to remain a trusted VMware partner in delivering managed cloud solutions globally to customers. Being a premier partner means that customers can be confident that Continent 8 meets the highest standards and qualifications in the delivery, management, and support of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and adjacent solutions. Membership in the Program is by invitation only and is available to those key partners to whom Broadcom offers to appoint.
Over the past 25+ years, Continent 8 has earned an unrivalled reputation for reliable infrastructure and connectivity, innovating, developing, and providing services to support the most demanding online requirements. Achieving this partner status demonstrates its value in managing critical workloads.
With 15 public, multi-tenant, regulated clouds, and more than 40 private, dedicated tenant clouds globally, Continent 8 can offer customers best-in-class managed and professional services.
Continent 8 has successfully migrated many customers from non-virtualised and existing VMware infrastructure to fully managed and compliant clouds, bringing cost savings via licensing scale and 24/7 support capability.
The company manages more than 150 cloud customer virtual environments, across North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America, bringing a repeatable high-quality, high resilience, and DDoS-protected experience wherever customers’ workloads need to be.
Continent 8 launched its first public cloud offering almost 10 years ago, and now also provides inclusive off-site backup, object storage, container services and inclusive WaaP and DDoS protection to its customers.
“Achieving Premier Partner status following the Broadcom acquisition and change in commercial environment was an important milestone for Continent 8.
“Not only does this demonstrate to customers our ability to manage and migrate customers’ VMware workloads but retain key cost efficiencies. Adding this to our existing Nutanix, Veeam and AWS partner status and accreditation capabilities allows our customers the option of multiple private and public cloud technologies for regulated requirements.
“It is partnerships and capabilities such as this that have allowed Continent 8 to become the go-to infrastructure and cloud provider for operators and suppliers in the global online gambling industry, providing a one-stop-shop for customer needs.”
“This partner status is key to us continuing to enable customers to choose their cloud, and Continent 8 manages, secures and connects them. Customers can engage Continent 8 to undertake all migration activity, minimising any potential cost impact.
“For any customer concerned about reducing technology spend, and minimising management overheads, Continent 8 offers a comprehensive alternative, maintaining or even improving regulatory compliance via inclusive backup. With two more public clouds being launched in the next quarter in US and LatAm, the growth and adoption of our cloud capabilities is a testament to our professional and managed services teams.”
Global IT and infrastructure provider bolsters its global sales team with new hire
Continent 8 Technologies, the trusted infrastructure and cybersecurity provider to the global gambling industry, has fortified its commercial team with the appointment of Ai Ishii as Regional Sales Director.
Ai is a highly experienced business development specialist with skills in sales, solution design, and fostering strategic partnerships, and has worked for renowned organisations such as Bragg Gaming and nChain. She joins Continent 8 from Klein Group where she was a Business Development Consultant.
As Regional Sales Director, Ai will be responsible for maximising existing customer relationships and creating new sales growth opportunities, with a particular focus on the European market. With a solid understanding of the iGaming regulatory landscape, she will work with customers to build technical solutions ensuring regulatory compliance and solving industry-specific pain points.
Ai Ishii, Regional Sales Director at Continent 8, said:
“I have worked closely with members of the Continent 8 team for some time now and have been very impressed with the company and the solutions it offers. I’m incredibly proud to be joining the organisation as Regional Sales Director and to be working closely with people that I admire and respect.
As the global gambling industry continues to grow and expand into new markets, Continent 8’s solutions are in high demand, and I’m excited to be supporting existing customers and welcoming new ones.”
Brian Koh, Chief Commercial Officer at Continent 8 Technologies, added:
“Ai is a business development specialist with a proven track record of striking strategic partnerships and helping both parties to maximise the potential of the collaboration.
We are thrilled to bring her expertise and experience into Continent 8 as we continue on our mission to power and protect the biggest brands in the gambling industry.”
Gaming executive with more than 30 years of tribal, gaming and cybersecurity experience joins global infrastructure and cybersecurity business
Leading managed hosting, connectivity, cloud, and cybersecurity provider to the gambling industry, Continent 8 Technologies, has welcomed Jerad Swimmer to its global sales team as the business continues to expand at scale and pace.
Jerad is a highly experienced business development executive with 33 years of experience in the global gaming industry. He has worked for seven Tribes and held positions at Gaming Laboratories International, FABI Cash, Indigo Sky Casino, and 13 other gaming facilities, as well as serving under the Quapaw Tribal Gaming Agency and the Eastern Shawnee Tribal Gaming Commission. He joins Continent 8 from BIG Cyber where he was Director of Business Development for the past 12 months.
Based in Miami, Oklahoma, he will bring this vast tribal and cybersecurity experience to the role of Regional Sales Director at Continent 8, where he will be responsible for supporting the company’s growth across North America. With his knowledge of the North American Tribal landscape, he will be focused on empowering Tribal and commercial gaming operators, ensuring these businesses have the very best infrastructure solutions and cybersecurity protections in place to succeed in the competitive landscape.
Michael Tobin, Chief Executive Officer and Founder at Continent 8 Technologies, said: “I’d like to give a warm welcome to Jerad who becomes the latest member of our global sales team.
“Jerad is an industry veteran, with a deep understanding of the US market and the infrastructure and cybersecurity solutions businesses need to succeed in tightly regulated and highly competitive markets. With Jerad on board, we can continue to deliver a world-class experience to our existing customers while engaging those yet to work with us.”
Jerad Swimmer, Regional Sales Director at Continent 8 Technologies, added: “It’s an honour to join Continent 8’s global sales team and to be able to support the business with its plans for the North American market, specifically focused on developing relationships with Tribal businesses and Tribal leaders. As a proud member of the United Keetoowah Band and growing up in the gaming industry, I must do my absolute best to protect Tribal country and Tribal assets; the biggest asset being the youth which is the future of our Tribes.
“I look forward to working closely with Tribal Governments, operators, regulators, and suppliers over the coming months and helping them to find the right cybersecurity solutions for their needs. After all, cyber risks are at an all-time high, and all businesses must be prepared. This is an aspect of business that simply can’t be ignored, and Continent 8 has the solutions and services needed to ensure resilience and protect sovereignty, assets, networks, systems, and data.”
Jerad will be attending RES 2024, presented by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, March 11-14, 2024, in Las Vegas.
Global digital infrastructure solutions provider expands within state through new strategic site opening, further ramping up its disaster recovery capabilities, coupled with the West Virginia [Lottery] regulatory approval for its recognised public cloud solution catering to the online sports betting and iGaming verticals
Continent 8 Technologies, the renowned provider of digital infrastructure including managed hosting, managed network and cybersecurity solutions to operators and suppliers in the fast-growing North American market and beyond, is ramping up its offering in West Virginia with the opening of an additional site.
Continent 8 has deployed an ambitious first-to-market approach in the United States, notably going live in West Virginia via a site in South Charleston in 2018, permitting customers to hit the ground running when online sports betting launched in August later that year.
Located over 200 miles away from the South Charleston site, Continent 8, in partnership with the Seneca Rocks Regional Development Authority, has now officially opened its data centre in Petersburg, West Virginia. As a result, it now adds true disaster recovery and enhanced business continuity to its suite of solutions available to operators and suppliers in the state via this dedicated site. Both sites are PCI DSS compliant.
Further expanding its solutions and capabilities in the state, Continent 8 has received approval by the gambling regulator in West Virginia, for its powerful Public Cloud solution, currently live across the majority of regulated gaming states across the US. Meeting strict regulatory requirements, operators and suppliers can take advantage of the flexible, usage-based model for those looking to enter the market.
Michael Tobin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Continent 8 Technologies, said: “We are thrilled to have added a second site, allowing us to expand our offering to include disaster recovery, as well as our approved Public Cloud solution in our original site, further establishing Continent 8 as the leading infrastructure provider in the North American market.
“Infrastructure is the foundation operators and suppliers need to succeed, and that’s why the biggest players come to Continent 8. Our solutions, customer service, reputation and experience are unrivalled.”
Continent 8 is the leading infrastructure provider in North America for the online gambling industry, with 85% of operators on the 2023 EGR US Power Rankings using its suite of managed hosting and connectivity solutions. In West Virginia, it is live with over 20 of the biggest brands operating in the state.
Continent 8 is live in 30 US states with significant investment planned to further expand its multi-site footprint across numerous states, continuously adding to its global connected network of 100+ locations across four continents.
Sebastian Fernandez and Luana Monje join the global digital infrastructure provider to drive further strategic efforts in the region
Continent 8 Technologies continues to grow its global commercial team following the appointment of Sebastian Fernandez and Luana Monje as Sales Executives.
Sebastian will be based out of Buenos Aires in Argentina and joins Continent 8 from IT giant Dell Technologies, where he spent more than 12 years across several roles including a Senior Systems Engineer and most recently Account Executive.
Luana comes to Continent 8 from AWS (Amazon Web Services) where she held the role of Demand Generation Representative. Based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, she has a deep understanding of the region which has just passed legislation to legalise online sports betting and casino.
Both Sebastian and Luana will be responsible for nurturing relationships with Continent 8’s existing Latin American customers, helping them to maximise the potential of its solutions and services from cloud hosting and connectivity to layered cybersecurity.
They will also support new customers looking to make a move in the region, particularly Brazil which is expected to generate approximately $2.6bn per year (gross gaming revenue) by 2026 according to KPMG. Continent 8 will be live in Brazil to support customers with its full suite of solutions in the coming months.
Brian Koh, Chief Commercial Officer at Continent 8 Technologies, said: “I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Sebastian and Luana who join Continent 8 at a pivotal time for the LATAM gambling market.
“Latin America is a thriving market with a lot of latent potential, something that the opening of Brazil will help to unlock. We are well positioned to help customers looking to launch into this market, and Luana will undoubtedly play a significant role in ensuring they go live with the best infrastructure and security in place.”
Sebastian Fernandez, Sales Executive at Continent 8 Technologies, added: “I’m excited to be joining the Continent 8 team and to bring over a decade of IT experience to this role. This is an incredibly exciting region with huge potential on the table, but organisations must have the right infrastructure in place if they are to maximise the opportunity. This is something that Continent 8 is renowned for, and we look forward to working with businesses across the region.”
Luana Monje, Sales Executive at Continent 8 Technologies, added: “I couldn’t ask for a better start to the year. I look forward to sharing my AWS expertise and knowledge of the LatAm market with the team and of course our customers.”
Leading global digital infrastructure solutions provider supports customer growth in the newly-regulated online sports betting state
Continent 8 Technologies, an award-winning managed hosting, connectivity, and cybersecurity solutions provider has bolstered its presence in the US market going live in the state of Vermont.
Through its data center located in the Burlington region, the infrastructure provider is supporting the nation’s largest online sports betting platforms including DraftKings, FanDuel and Fanatics.
With online sports betting legalized in Vermont on 16 June 2023, it is expected to generate nearly $7m in proceeds for the state in its first full year of legal sports betting, according to government officials. In December 2023, the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery announced the go-live date of 11 January, as well as the three operators that have been awarded licenses.
As a strategic technology solutions provider of choice, Continent 8 has consistently driven an ambitious first-to-market approach, allowing its customers to be ready to launch from day one of a state opening. The new site augments Continent 8’s market-leading offering in the US, where it is now live in 30 states.
Michael Tobin, Founder and CEO of Continent 8 Technologies, said: “We are proud to be able to support our customers in their strategic launch in one of the year’s most anticipated newly regulated online sports betting states. We have been relentless in our pursuit as a market leader and putting customers first.
“Our bold, first-to-market approach, done so over 25 years, is one of the many reasons our global customers continue to trust us with their mission critical technology and have developed such close strategic partnerships for decades. We are extremely excited to be planting a flag in the state of Vermont, not only for the future of the business, but one where I have a strong personal history.”
Technical expert joins leading infrastructure provider as it continues to enhance its cloud team and product offering
Continent 8 Technologies, the award-winning provider of managed hosting, cloud, connectivity and security solutions to the global gambling industry, has appointed Amazon Web Services (AWS) specialist, Matteo Gabrielli, as Senior Technical Solutions Architect.
The appointment strengthens Continent 8’s expert cloud team and in particular its AWS solutions and services, with Matteo joining directly from AWS where he was Senior Solutions Architect for Digital Native Businesses.
Matteo has an impressive technical background, holding several positions at AWS over a four-and-a-half-year tenure. During this time, he supported a wide range of businesses in the betting and gaming industry, providing them with technical guidance to help them innovate and build cloud solutions on AWS.
At Continent 8, Matteo will strategically support and maintain relationships with its customers to ensure they are getting the most out of their infrastructure and services. This includes helping with the delivery of AWS products, as well as developing the cloud product roadmap to best serve its growing customer base.
Edward O’Connor, Chief Technology Officer at Continent 8 Technologies, said: “Matteo is a very important hire as we continue to enhance our cloud offering to better support our customers with their hybrid and public cloud strategy.
“Matteo has a great deal of customer-facing solutions experience. That we can bring in someone as experienced and talented as Matteo demonstrates our commitment to expanding our cloud business and collaboration with AWS as an advanced partner.
“Our customers already trust us with the deployment and management of their AWS Outpost solutions and they leverage extensive network peering with AWS; we’re going to offer customers so much more in 2024 and our new team members will play a big role in that.”
Matteo’s appointment comes hot on the heels of Carl Bonner joining Continent 8 as Regional Sales Director. Carl is also an experienced AWS specialist, and the addition of Matteo is further evidence of Continent 8’s commitment to its multi-cloud strategy.
Matteo Gabrielli, Senior Technical Solutions Architect at Continent 8 Technologies, added: “I am excited to support Continent 8’s incredible customer base in maximising the potential of the cloud.
“Continent 8 has built a great team of cloud specialists and I’m thrilled to be working alongside some truly talented people as we continue to enhance our offering and strengthen our relationship with customers by supporting them on their cloud journey.”
Meet Matteo and the full Continent 8 team at ICE London, 6 – 8 February 2024 at ExCeL London, stand N3-110.
Infrastructure provider strengthens commercial team as it continues to push ahead with ambitious expansion plans in the US
Continent 8 Technologies has further expanded its global sales team with the appointment of Andrew Mudge as Regional Sales Director. This is the latest in a series of important commercial hires as the company continues to scale at pace.
Mudge is a global gaming specialist who has spent more than eight years working in various roles at international IT service partner, Viadex Global. He has significant experience in helping online gambling operators and suppliers leverage infrastructure to drive growth.
For the past 12 months, he has been focused on Viadex Global’s US business, a market where Continent 8 has been deploying an ambitious expansion plan and where it is already live in 30 states and counting.
Mudge will use this market experience and deep understanding of IT infrastructure to support the company’s existing US customers while making more operators and suppliers aware of the solutions and services it has to offer.
This includes award-winning global managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and security solutions. By taking a first-to-market approach in the US, Continent 8 has emerged as the go-to infrastructure provider for the biggest names in the business, supporting 85% of operators on the EGR Power US Rankings 2023.
Brian Koh, Vice President, Sales & Chief Commercial Officer at Continent 8 Technologies, said: “Andrew is a great addition to our commercial team, bringing not only knowledge of the industry but also of the US market.
“This is an important region for us, and we are thrilled to be able to leverage his understanding of the market and the infrastructure that operators and suppliers need to succeed here. This, combined with his experience in the gambling sector, makes him a strong asset as we continue to grow.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome Andrew to the global Continent 8 team and look forward to working with him as we strengthen our position as the leading infrastructure provider in the US and beyond.”
Andrew Mudge, Regional Sales Director at Continent 8 Technologies, added: “It’s an honour to be joining Continent 8 at such an exciting time for the business. Having worked closely with the team during my eight years in the industry, I am very aware of the strong presence and dominant brand they have developed globally.
“I’m proud to be joining the leading infrastructure provider for gambling operators and suppliers, worldwide.”
Andrew, along with the global Continent 8 commercial and executive team will be attending ICE London, 6 – 8 February 2024 at ExCeL London, at stand N3-110.