Roberts leaves Slingo to take on executive digital role with Sportech

Rich Roberts is to leave his role as chief executive of social gaming company Slingo to become an executive director of UK-listed operator Sportech.

Roberts, previously a non-executive director of Sportech, will take on the role of president of digital from July 14th, reporting directly to Sportech chief executive Ian Penrose,

Roberts has spent the past four years as CEO of New Jersey-based social gaming business Slingo, continuing in the position after the company was acquired by media distribution service provider RealNetworks in August last year.

Previously he spent five years as vice president of business development and sales for mobile social games developer PlayFirst, and has also served as vice president of digital distribution for toy and games manufacturer Hasbro Interactive. He has also held a number of executive roles for leading businesses including iconic video games company Atari.

Sportech chairman Roger Withers said he was delighted to welcome Roberts to the operator’s executive team.

“Rich’s experience and business knowledge within the mobile, social and real money gaming markets, will be of considerable benefit to the group,” Withers explained.

Roberts added that after spending six months as a non-executive director of the company he had been made aware of the significant potential of Sportech’s developing online business in the US market.

“As a result, I am delighted to be joining Sportech’s leadership team in the US and look forward to helping the company pursue its growth plans,” he said.

Shares in Sportech plc (Co.Data) (AIM:SPO) are currently trading at 82.00 pence per share in London this morning