Laila Mintas announces new venture, PlayEngine
Laila Mintas, former Chief Executive of PlayUp US, has embarked on an exciting new venture by co-founding PlayEngine, where she has taken on the role of Chief Executive Officer.
PlayEngine introduces a cutting-edge, microservices-based B2B platform specifically designed for sports betting and iGaming operations. The platform promises to deliver customized, reliable, scalable, fast, and secure solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients.
The sportsbook functionality is particularly noteworthy, as it will accommodate payments in both cryptocurrency and fiat currency, integrating a “travelling wallet” feature that enables players to utilize the same wallet across different jurisdictions seamlessly.
This innovative business initiative was initially fostered through the Berkeley Skydeck startup incubator, which is known for its emphasis on nurturing forward-thinking tech solutions.
“I am thrilled to be a co-founder and the CEO of PlayEngine,” stated Laila Mintas. “The sports betting and iGaming landscape is increasingly competitive, and reliance on legacy technologies simply cannot sustain growth. There is a pressing demand for agile and modern solutions, and I firmly believe that we offer the most automated and data-driven product available. Our platform is designed to empower sports betting and iGaming operators to deliver innovative, robust, and profitable offerings to their customers.”
Aram Cherkezyan, co-founder of PlayEngine, emphasized Mintas’ impressive credentials as a key factor for her leadership role. “Dr. Mintas possesses a proven track record of successfully cultivating high-growth companies, making her an established and respected leader in the sports betting and iGaming sectors. We are delighted to collaborate with her,” he remarked.
Controversies Surrounding Laila Mintas and PlayUp
Previously, Mintas held the position of Chief Executive for PlayUp’s US operations and served as Deputy President for Sportradar, overseeing its U.S. operations. However, her departure from PlayUp led to a contentious legal dispute. The operator accused her of orchestrating an intentional disruption of a sale to the cryptocurrency platform FTX after contract negotiations faltered. This allegation culminated in a court order that temporarily restrained Mintas from her activities.
Mintas steadfastly denied these accusations and challenged the temporary restraining order in court. In December of the previous year, a U.S. District Judge in Nevada ruled in her favor, dismissing the order. This ruling was subsequently upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, validating Mintas’ stance against the claims.
The evolution of PlayEngine under Mintas’ leadership is poised to align with modern industry trends, addressing the demand for innovative technology solutions amidst the evolving regulatory landscape of the gambling industry.
