News UK appoints Collins as MD for betting and gaming

British media giant News UK has appointed Gaming Realms co-founder Simon Collins as its new managing director for betting and gaming.

In the role, Collins will oversee News UK betting and gaming brands, including Dream Team, which is the UK’s largest commercial fantasy football game. Collins will also lead Sun Bingo and Sun Racing, which offers bets in conjunction with Betway, Coral, Ladbrokes, William Hill and Unibet.

“I am particularly excited to take up this new role as I believe there are a number of opportunities to develop the existing business,” Collins said. “I’m looking forward to working with what I know is a very talented team, across some of the UK’s biggest brands.”

Collins helped co-found Gaming Realms in 2012 and played a major role in developing its Bear Group B2C real-money gaming business, which it sold to River iGaming in July.

Collins also founded bingo operator Cashcade, which created brands including Foxy Bingo and Cheeky Bingo, before being acquired by PartyGaming in 2009.

Last month, Collins chose to step down from his position as a non-executive director on Gaming Realms’ board.

Scott Taunton, who holds executive responsibility for News UK’s gambling brands as chief executive of the Wireless digital and radio subsidiary of the group, said Collins’s experience made him an excellent fit for the role.

“There are few more experienced players in the online gaming space than Simon Collins,” Taunton said. “He has a history of building audiences and value around brilliant digital gaming brands. And he joins News UK as we embark on the next phase of growth around our iconic gaming brands, including Dream Team, Sun Bingo and Sun Racing.”