Vampires

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Online betting & gaming technology provider OpenBet has announced a major leadership transition. According to the company, its current chief executive officer, Jordan Levin, will transition to the role of chairman. At the same time, the experienced Nikos Konstakis will step in as CEO.

According to OpenBet’s announcement, Konstakis is set to step into the CEO office at the end of the year. At the same time, Levin will transition to the chair role. In this position, he will continue to play a key role in shaping OpenBet’s long-term strategy.

For reference, Konstakis is no stranger to OpenBet’s business. He has been involved with the business for a while, serving as its president. In this role, he has been closely involved in “driving the operational and commercial execution of the business and shaping its strategic priorities.”

About Vampires

Philip Pietras, 52, admitted to stealing from more than 170 people, many of whom are senior citizens who sought to limit the emotional and financial burdens placed on their loved ones by prepaying for their funerals. But instead of placing those funds, meant for caskets and burial services, in escrow accounts, Pietras pocketed the money to gamble.

Pietras accepted a plea deal from the state, and prosecutors expect him to enter a guilty plea on Oct. 23 and be formally sentenced on Jan. 22, 2027.

Under the terms of the state’s offer, Pietras will admit to stealing his clients’ money for his personal use. In exchange for his admission, the state has recommended a prison sentence of 7.5 years instead of 15 years, followed by five years of probation.

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The company committed to a management reshuffle late last year as part of this transition, scrapping the role of deputy CEO after Velipekka Nummikoski was shuffled into a new role.

The operator has made a number of key operational and technology changes during this process, including switching its sportsbook backend from DraftKings to OpenBet. And hiring a number of industry stalwards to lead its competitive business.

Former Scientific Games veteran Chris Armes was appointed as the new executive VP of Gaming Technologies in early August. Armes is set to take up his new role in the autumn of 2026, leading Veikkaus’ technology organisation from its Helsinki headquarters.