Bragg taps COO Morten Tonnesen for chief executive officer as Mazij steps aside

Bragg Gaming Group, Toronto-listed iGaming supplier, has appointed chief operating officer Morten Tonnesen as interim chief executive, effective 6 November. 

Tonnesen will oversee Bragg’s day-to-day operations and report to the board, the company said. Mazij will provide strategic guidance during the handover and support key stakeholder relationships under the title of Strategic Adviser. 

Tonnesen joined Bragg in March and has more than 17 years’ experience across business-to-business and consumer-facing iGaming, sports betting and technology. His previous roles include co-founding BetWarrior, spending six years at PokerStars, holding commercial leadership positions at Shape Games and working in growth at Xtremepush.

His appointment as chief operating officer was part of a broader effort to develop Bragg’s content, expand in North America and advance artificial intelligence initiatives.

A year of changes

The leadership transition follows a year of organisational and strategic changes. In July, Bragg completed its acquisition of Drayton International for $9 million in shares, adding interests in gaming studios and technology platforms. 

Matt Davey was appointed non-executive chairman around the same time. Davey thanked Matevž for his service, drawing upon his part during the merger. 

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Matevž for his service as Chief Executive Officer and for everything he has built at bragg. He founded Oryx, successfully merged it into the Company, and has led bragg through a demanding period in the industry”.

“We are pleased that he will continue to contribute his knowledge of the business in his new role,” he added.

Mazij left Bragg’s board in July but remained chief executive until the November transition.

Development is a priority

The board has identified execution, balance-sheet strength and operating cash flow as priorities, alongside the development and deployment of technology, content and services. 

“The quality of what is already here is what makes this a fantastic opportunity. Strong technology, growing proprietary content, and a licensed footprint across more than 30 regulated markets”, said Tonnesen.

“My focus is execution, delivering for our operator partners and running a simpler and more focused business. I want to thank Matevž for his support through this transition and for what he has built.” 

Earlier this year, Bragg Gaming Group announced a reduction of its global workforce by approximately 12% as part of a wider strategic restructuring effort. At the time, Mazij said restructuring was necessary amid certain challenges Bragg faced across its operating markets.