Novomatic’s Löwen Entertainment promotes Foethke to key role

Following his appointment, Foethke will be responsible for representing the gaming provider’s interests in the political and regulatory spaces.

He will report to Daniel Henzgen, the German company’s managing director of communications and compliance.

The appointment builds on Foethke’s extensive experience within Löwen Entertainment’s public affairs team. He joined the company in 2017 after working previously in the transport and logistics sector.

In May, Foethke was installed as the new vice-president of the German Online Casino Association (DOCV). He represents Löwen Entertainment subsidiary Novo Interactive in the role.

Regulatory challenges

“We are facing major regulatory challenges in our industry,” says Henzgen, who is also Novo Interactive managing director.

“We are very pleased to be able to rely on Sebastian Foethke and his expertise in the field of public affairs.”

Löwen Entertainment was also one of the most outspoken opponents of the German State Treaty on Gambling. The treaty was introduced just over two years ago.

Meanwhile, operators and providers in the gaming sector face an evolving regulatory landscape in Germany.

Last month, the Higher Administrative Court of the State of Saxony-Anhalt ruled that the German gaming regulator, Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), does have the power to impose advertising restrictions.

The GGL is also in an ongoing battle to clamp down on a thriving black market in the country. There were 207 unlicensed operators in the country as of December 2022, according to the GGL’s most recent report.