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.
Dave Phillips joins as VP of Network and will oversee operations, build, development, and engineering teams globally for the service provider whose network now spans over 100 data centre locations
Continent 8 Technologies, the award-winning infrastructure provider to the global gambling industry, has named former Google executive, Dave Phillips, as Vice President, Network as it continues to welcome senior talent to its team amid rapid expansion across the globe.
Dave is a highly experienced member of the Internet community having spent 15 years at Google where he held a range of leadership roles in Engineering, Operations, Delivery and Product teams.
As Vice President, Network, Dave will be responsible for overseeing the company’s global network which now spans more than 100 locations across four continents, including 30 states in the US and counting. The scale of the company’s network makes it one of the best connected in the world.
He will lead a global team of networking specialists, located in the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Singapore, and India, ensuring the company maintains its position as the leading provider of secure, high speed and low-latency connectivity to the iGaming industry and beyond.
Edward O’Connor, Chief Technology Officer at Continent 8 Technologies, said: “Dave is a highly experienced network technologist with an incredible amount of Internet industry experience having been at Google through their hyper-growth phase over the past 15 years.
“Our network is one of the largest and best connected in the business. For over 25 years our industry’s biggest brands have relied on the Continent 8 network and hiring Dave to lead our global team will help to ensure that we continue to innovate on behalf of customers for the next 25 years.
“Dave is joining a fantastic team – with his experience and the immense creativity of our group, I’m certain that we’re going to invent great ways to help our customers in 2024 and beyond.”
Dave Phillips, Vice President, Network at Continent 8 Technologies, added: “Continent 8’s connected network is quite simply the backbone of the iGaming industry and I’m thrilled to be joining the company.
“I’m excited by the extraordinary growth facing Continent 8, further developing our innovative product set and strengthening our position as the infrastructure partner of choice for many of the biggest operators and suppliers in the global gaming industry.”
Award-winning infrastructure and cybersecurity services provider undertakes comprehensive cybersecurity audit and VAPT as part of supplier’s licensing requirements in Pennsylvania
Continent 8 Technologies, the gaming industry’s trusted infrastructure and security partner, was chosen by ODDSworks, an interactive gaming content provider, to undertake a regulatory security compliance audit and vulnerability assessment penetration test (VAPT) in the US state of Pennsylvania.
As a supplier licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), ODDSworks was required to undertake and submit for approval a full audit of its cybersecurity provisions. With an existing relationship through hosting across several states including New Jersey and Michigan, the company reached out to Continent 8 to plan and carry out the audit and VAPT so that it could meet its regulatory obligations.
The audit was undertaken by Continent 8’s dedicated cybersecurity division, C8 Secure, and used Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing to examine ODDSworks’ provisions under the requirements set by the PGCB.
The regulator is one of the most stringent in the US when it comes to cybersecurity and expects operators and suppliers to meet standards such as:
Operators and suppliers are also required to carry out an annual security audit and VAPT via a third party, and that’s why ODDSworks turned to Continent 8.
Continent 8 brought together a dedicated team of specialists for the efforts, which was completed in less than eight weeks, on time and under budget. It even identified vulnerabilities that were not within the scope of the work being carried out. The audit and VAPT reports were submitted to the PGCB and has been approved by the regulator.
Patrick Gardner, Managing Partner at C8 Secure, a Continent 8 company, said: “Cybersecurity is a hot topic in the online and land-based gaming industry, and ODDSworks are an example of a company that is prioritising cybersecurity.
“Having cybersecurity provisions in place is not only a must when it comes to protecting the organisation, but also when it comes to compliance. Pennsylvania is setting the standard when it comes to protecting the iGaming market.
“The regulatory landscape and requirements across different states can make it incredibly complex for operators and suppliers operating in these markets. Of course, we can assist other operators and suppliers with their cybersecurity audits in Pennsylvania and any other regulated US state.”
Steven De Mar, Executive VP at ODDSworks, added: “At ODDSworks we are taking cybersecurity seriously – the industry is under attack. Continent 8 has done an incredible job at supporting us through our cybersecurity audit in the state of Pennsylvania. We were impressed by the speed at which the audit was planned, undertaken and reported on, as well as its scope and depth.
“We already knew that Continent 8 was at the top of its game having used its hosting solutions in other US states, but its cybersecurity audit for us shows that it really does set the standard for others to follow.”
Regional Sales Director tasked with fostering existing customer relationships and driving sales growth
Continent 8 Technologies, the award-winning provider of managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and security solutions to the global online gambling industry, continues to drive growth with the appointment of Khaled El-Din as Regional Sales Director.
Based in the UK, Khaled joins Continent 8’s global sales team as it continues to enter new regulated markets around the world, a move that is increasing its addressable audience and customer base.
Khaled is a highly experienced sales specialist and joins the global IT business from swcomms where he was Sales Manager. He has also held sales roles at Solar Communications and Chartered Developments. His knowledge of infrastructure, connectivity and hosting solutions, plus his experience working with large organisations to determine their needs and creating bespoke solutions for them, makes him perfectly suited to Continent 8.
In his new role, he has been tasked with managing and amplifying existing customer relationships, as well as supporting the overall sales division with driving new revenue growth across core regulated markets including Europe and the Americas.
Nick Nally, Chief Revenue Officer at Continent 8 Technologies, said: “Khaled is a fantastic addition to our global sales team, and we look forward to benefiting from his experience, skills, and commitment to customer satisfaction, as we look to better support existing customers and connect with new ones.
“With Khaled in the team, we can keep driving awareness of our solutions and services among those not currently working with Continent 8, whilst doubling down on the support we provide to those that are.”
Khaled El-Din, Regional Sales Director at Continent 8 Technologies, added: “This is a very exciting time to be joining Continent 8 as demand for its managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and security solutions is on the rise.
“Continent 8 works with many of the biggest names in the industry, and it’s an honour to be working closely with the team, as well as an impressive collection of customers that trust in our solutions and our people. I am looking forward to playing a part in helping operators and suppliers access the infrastructure they need to succeed as the gambling market continues to grow at pace, globally.”
AWS specialist joins go-to infrastructure provider to the regulated global online gambling industry
Continent 8 Technologies, the award-winning provider of managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and security solutions to the global online gambling industry, has welcomed Carl Bonner as Regional Sales Director.
The appointment augments Continent 8’s global sales team at a time when demand for its solutions and services continues to rise amid the ongoing roll-out of regulated online gambling in key jurisdictions around the world.
Carl is a highly experienced cloud specialist and joins Continent 8 from AWS (Amazon Web Services) where he has been senior account manager for the past three and a half years, co-founding the Betting & Gaming division, supporting a range of well-known iGaming brands with various AWS services.
Prior to that, he held senior roles at cloud-based enterprise software company, Oracle. This has seen him work with some of the biggest brands in Europe including Pret a Manger, WHSmith, Shazam, UiPath and ESET, supporting their cloud strategies and deployments.
He brings this wealth of experience to Continent 8 where he will be responsible for supporting the provider’s multi-cloud strategy and growing its customer base in core regulated iGaming markets, such as the fast-growing US market.
Continent 8’s multi-cloud strategy allows it to support customers with its regulated Public Cloud, Private Cloud, as well as Hyperscale Cloud solutions. It holds AWS Advanced Tier Consulting Partner status so that it can assist customers with AWS projects and deployments. It is also a Microsoft Silver Partner, augmenting its existing cloud offering with Microsoft Azure Stack.
Brian B. Koh, Chief Commercial Officer at Continent 8 Technologies, said: “I’d like to welcome Carl to our global sales team and look forward to benefitting from his unrivalled experience with supporting well-known brands in the iGaming sector with cloud-based solutions.
“We are the go-to regulated cloud provider for the biggest operators and suppliers in the industry, and with Carl onboard, we will be able to better support existing customers and drive awareness of our solutions and services among those not already working with Continent 8.”
Carl Bonner, Regional Sales Director at Continent 8 Technologies, added: “Joining Continent 8 allows me to share my passion for cloud-based solutions with operators and suppliers in the iGaming industry, making them aware of the huge upsides they can unlock by utilising the cloud.
“I am thrilled to be joining such a respected business as Regional Sales Director and working with the wider team to not only meet but exceed our goals for growth.”
Operators and suppliers will gain immediate access to industry leading managed hosting, global connectivity and cybersecurity services and solutions
Continent 8 Technologies, the leading technology solutions provider for the online sports betting and iGaming industry, is set to cut the ribbon on a Curaçao data centre footprint next month.
The strategic site expansion comes on the heels of numerous transformation initiatives set out by the Curaçao Gaming Control Board, including revising the licensing procedure for operators on the island.
Existing and future operators and suppliers will now be able to access Continent 8’s full range of services and solutions via the Curaçao site including direct connectivity to its unique network of over 100 locations across four continents, protection through its muti-layered cybersecurity offering and best-in-class managed hosting solutions.
Customers will be supported out of the most advanced multi-tenant Tier-IV data center in the Pan-Caribbean region, run to the highest technical and operational standards.
Continent 8 continues to drive its global expansion and strategic initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean with four sites currently open and numerous additional locations planned for the coming year.
Michael Tobin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Continent 8 Technologies, said: “We have been powering operators and suppliers in regulated jurisdictions for 25 years, providing compliant hosting solutions, globally. Thanks to our experience, regulatory knowledge, and market-leading solutions, we have become the trusted infrastructure partner to the industry.
“Our move into Curaçao comes at a time when operators and suppliers need infrastructure solutions they can rely on, and this is exactly what we have built our name and reputation on.”
Nick Nally, Chief Revenue Officer at Continent 8 Technologies, added: “We pride ourselves on our agility and ability to provide solutions to customers, quickly. We realised an opportunity and we had to move fast to ensure operators have the very best hosting solutions.
“With the changes being made in Curaçao with regards to online gambling licences, strengthening the application process to attract a wider range of operators, those looking to seek a licence can be assured that they can capitalise on leading services and solutions from Continent 8.”
Regulatory and compliance expert brings a wealth of experience to leading global technology solutions provider as Director of Regulatory Affairs
Continent 8 Technologies, an award-winning provider of managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and security solutions, welcomes one of the gaming sector’s most skilled regulatory and compliance specialists to its team.
Jeremie Kanter has joined Continent 8 as Director of Regulatory Affairs and will oversee its new C8 Comply division. Jeremie will be responsible for leading Continent 8’s new advisory practice, supporting customers as they navigate the continuously evolving global online sports betting and gambling regulatory landscape.
This appointment comes at an important time as Continent 8 continues its global expansion to new regulated markets across the globe, coupled with the launch of numerous new solutions including regulated cloud environments, critical cybersecurity solutions and more. Continent 8 will be able to leverage this unrivalled knowledge to strengthen its position as the go-to infrastructure provider of choice for operators and suppliers targeting regulated markets right around the globe.
Jeremie brings a wealth of experience to his role, having held senior management and consulting positions at some of the biggest companies in the industry including William Hill, PokerStars, SBTech, Playtech, Stations Casino and more.
Michael Tobin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Continent 8 Technologies, said: “Jeremie is one of the most experienced and skilled regulatory and compliance specialists in the industry, and this makes him an incredibly valuable asset to Continent 8. I’m very pleased to welcome him to our team.
“Regulation and compliance are the foundation of Continent 8’s business and bringing Jeremie on board as we continue to grow aggressively across regulated markets will be fundamental to our success in these jurisdictions, as well as those where we currently support our customers.”
Jeremie Kanter, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Continent 8 Technologies, added: “Continent 8 is one of the most established and reputable companies in the sector and has been supporting its customers in regulated markets for 25 years now.
“I know the team well and I am excited to be joining such a reputed company, and looking forward to leveraging my industry experience and skillset to help Continent 8 achieve its ambitious goals.”
At the beginning of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, data hosting and security specialist Continent 8 Technologies issues a wake-up call to the online and land-based gaming sectors
Global technology and data solutions company Continent 8 Technologies, a provider of specialised infrastructure and cybersecurity services to the world’s biggest betting and gaming companies, says that the industry is facing an unprecedented threat from a rising tide of cyber attacks.
The stark warning comes at the start of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which marks its 20th year in October 2023, and as the global land-based and online industry once again gathers in Nevada for the annual G2E Las Vegas exhibition and conference.
Founded in 1998 and celebrating 25 years of business in 2023, Continent 8 has 100 data centre locations across four continents, delivering a wide range of technology infrastructure and connectivity solutions to the biggest organisations in the industry, via a single interconnected network.
Michael Tobin, Founder and CEO of Continent 8 Technologies, said: “In the 25 years since Continent 8 was founded, the threat to the data, infrastructure and digital security of companies in the betting and gaming industry has never been higher.
“The scale and sophistication of these attacks is increasing year on year, so it’s critically important that organisations take a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity, protecting themselves from the mix of complex threats facing businesses in today’s world. What’s also important is ensuring your business is compliant, meeting stringent regulatory requirements across different markets.”
Patrick Gardner, Managing Partner of C8 Secure, a Continent 8 company, added: “With the average cost of a data breach reaching well into millions, and the gaming industry being a prime target, it’s crucial now more than ever for companies to bolster their cybersecurity measures. Both the online and land-based sectors must remain vigilant and proactive, ensuring protection of their data and infrastructure against increasingly evolving threats.”
Continent 8 will be on stand #4235 at G2E Las Vegas, which takes place at The Venetian Expo from 9-12 October, marking the beginning of Cybersecurity Awareness Month with an event-wide campaign highlighting the rising threat against the global betting and gaming sector.
Set up a meeting with the team in Vegas here
Leading iGaming hosting and infrastructure provider pushes on with first-to-market strategy, providing operators with access to its suite of solutions ahead of the regulated market opening next year
North Carolina has become the latest state launch for award-winning global managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and security provider, Continent 8 Technologies. This comes ahead of North Carolina opening its doors to legal online sports betting for the first time in early 2024.
Back in June, Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill 347 into law, permitting up to 12 sportsbook operators to offer online and mobile betting to players in the state in addition to the three land-based tribal sportsbooks permitted under existing law.
The market looks set to be significant, with North Carolina residents expected to wager $6.8bn by year two bringing in around $100m for the state by year five.
Continent 8 has taken an aggressive first-to-market approach across North America and is already live in 27 states and counting. This is to make sure that its customers can go live from day one having had time to ensure their infrastructure is up and running, and is fully compliant.
Operators in North Carolina will be able to access Continent 8’s full suite of solutions. Furthermore, they have access to two dedicated sites within the state, ensuring resilient and reliable services to customers.
Justin Cosnett, Chief Product Officer at Continent 8 Technologies, said: “We have been aggressive with our first-to-market approach in the US because it’s vital that operators can access the infrastructure solutions they need ahead of markets opening so that they are good to go from day one. What’s more, where possible we have invested in multiple sites in each state, such as North Carolina, enabling customers to utilize our backup and disaster recovery services.
Nick Nally, Chief Revenue Officer at Continent 8 Technologies, added: “Our regulatory knowledge and experience are unrivalled, and this is key to deploying our first-to-market approach in the US. This was certainly the case in North Carolina where we have been able to keep pace with legislative progress at all times.
“North Carolina will be a significant online sports betting market and is one that we know our customers have set their sights on. We can now offer our suite of iGaming hosting, connectivity, cloud and security solutions to these operators who can be confident they are fully compliant with the requirements set by the regulator.”
Continent 8’s first-to-market approach, unrivalled regulatory experience and cutting-edge suite of solutions have seen it emerge as the go-to infrastructure provider of choice for around 85% of operators on the EGR US Power Rankings for 2023.