Xmas Drop

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Rodano spent almost ten years spearheading policy at Playtech as the supplier’s chief policy officer. Then between January last year and August 2026, he led its global player-protection efforts as chief sustainable gambling officer.

During his tenure, Rodano was instrumental in deploying an AI-powered behavioural analytics platform, BetBuddy, which is designed to identify and intervene in potentially harmful gambling behaviours. 

Before moving to the private sector, Rodano served as the director of remote gaming at Italy’s regulator, Agenzia Dogane e Monopoli, for almost a decade.

What is Xmas Drop?

Yaxley hopes DEI will become “a fundamental part of how organisations operate”, with technology and people analytics helping businesses to make fairer, evidence-based decisions on talent.

“Ultimately, I hope the conversation evolves from representation alone to a stronger focus on belonging,” she says. “Diverse teams are important, but lasting progress comes when people feel valued, heard and able to contribute fully.”

For a sector facing intense competition for talent, fostering an inclusive workplace is becoming as much of a commercial priority as a cultural one.

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A new survey from U.S. News is sounding the alarm over Americans increasingly turning to high-risk endeavors, including sports betting, to help make ends meet and pay their monthly household bills.

U.S. News surveyed 1,200 Americans who placed a sports wager within the last 12 months. The media organization found that more than half of respondents (51%) placed a sports bet to help pay household bills, while 21% wagered specifically to cover their rent or mortgage payment.

Almost six in 10 (57%) of the sports betting demographic said they bet weekly, with 17% betting on a daily basis. Nearly one in five (19%) said they have outstanding sports betting debts.