Leadership Overhaul to Drive Innovation and Market Reach
VIP Play has appointed seasoned tech and gaming executive Les M Ottolenghi as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. The Nevada-based online casino and sportsbook operator made the announcement on June 18, citing the move as a pivotal step in its strategic transformation toward technological advancement and broader market penetration.
Ottolenghi brings over 25 years of executive leadership experience across the gaming, media, and education sectors. He has held high-profile roles such as Executive VP and CIO at Caesars Entertainment, CCO and CIO at Stride, and Chief Commercial & Transformation Officer at Lee Enterprises. His appointment signals VIP Play’s clear intent to shift toward a tech-forward operational model, leveraging cutting-edge innovations to redefine the online gaming experience.
Strategic Direction: AI, Cloud, and Consumer Experience
In a press statement, Board Chair Bruce Cassidy emphasized Ottolenghi’s alignment with VIP Play’s core mission. “Les is the ideal leader to guide VIP Play through its transformation,” Cassidy said. “His track record of harnessing advanced technologies to unlock new markets and enhance customer engagement aligns perfectly with our goals.”
Ottolenghi echoed these sentiments, stating:
“Today’s consumers expect entertainment that is intelligent, frictionless, and hyper-personalised. By fusing cloud scalability with next-generation AI, VIP Play will redefine the patron’s experience while setting new benchmarks for security, innovation, and social responsibility.”
His focus will include optimizing platform performance, integrating cloud-native tools, ensuring cybersecurity resilience, and overseeing multi-state regulatory expansion.
Expansion Plans and Recent Developments
Ottolenghi’s appointment comes at a critical time for VIP Play. The operator recently renewed its Tennessee sports betting license through May 2026, launching a new mobile sports betting app in the state. Furthermore, VIP Play is in the process of expanding its proprietary technology platform, initiated through a December 2024 partnership with Kambi Group to enhance its sportsbook offering.
Ottolenghi will work alongside recently appointed CTO Daniel Goldstein, focusing on backend scalability and front-end user experience. VIP Play’s ongoing mission is to blend personalisation algorithms, predictive engagement, and regulatory transparency into one seamless platform.
Regulatory Climate and Corporate Structure
Despite the leadership transition, the company remains under a Management Cease Trade Order (MCTO) issued by the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) in May 2025, due to delayed financial filings. VIP Play reassured stakeholders that the new appointment does not impact the order’s status, and the company continues to meet the OSC’s reporting requirements.
VIP Play is publicly traded on the OTC Markets under the ticker VIPZ, with corporate headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada. As the company looks to enter additional U.S. jurisdictions, Ottolenghi’s experience with large-scale digital operations and compliance will be instrumental in navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.
Conclusion: A Technological Bet on the Future
Les M Ottolenghi’s appointment marks a strategic turning point for VIP Play as it aims to differentiate itself in a saturated iGaming market. By investing in technological leadership and platform innovation, the operator is betting on a future where data-driven engagement and responsible gaming form the cornerstone of user retention and regulatory trust. The industry will be watching closely as VIP Play positions itself to challenge more established players across North America.
