Allwyn Appoints Francesco Rodano as Group Head of Responsible Gaming

Allwyn has appointed Francesco Rodano, formerly a senior executive at Playtech, as its new group head of responsible gaming. Rodano joins after over a decade with the London-listed supplier, bringing experience in industry policy and analytics platforms as Allwyn deepens its commitment to player safety across its pan-European lottery operations.

Francesco Rodano’s Transition from Playtech to Allwyn

Rodano exited Playtech in August following more than ten years with the company. He originally joined in May 2016 as chief policy officer, later moving up to chief sustainable gambling officer in January 2025. Over his tenure, Rodano became closely involved with Playtech’s BetBuddy analytics suite, which processes player behaviour in real time to flag at-risk individuals.

Rodano now succeeds Nicole Garrett, Allwyn’s former group head of responsible gaming, who departed earlier this year. Garrett, with previous experience at bet365, has become CEO of The Bingo Association, overseeing the UK trade body for bingo.

“I am privileged to be joining Allwyn and to build on the strong responsible gaming platform the company has already put in place across its markets. Player protection is something I live and breathe and I look forward to implementing that passion at scale across Allwyn.” — Francesco Rodano

Allwyn’s Responsible Gaming Ambitions and Market Reach

Allwyn operates the UK National Lottery alongside several other European state lotteries, maintaining a presence across regulated markets. The company also holds a majority stake in US-based DFS and prediction markets operator PrizePicks, owns OPAP outright in Greece, and maintains a 36.75% position in Betano. These assets position Allwyn as a major pan-European and transatlantic gaming entity, underlining the importance of its responsible gaming initiatives.

Allwyn CEO Robert Chvátal commented on Rodano’s arrival:

“As Allwyn expands its global presence, being responsible isn’t just how we approach business, it is a key part of who we are and our long-term strength… Francesco’s appointment and the experience he brings are another clear commitment to that philosophy.” — Robert Chvátal

A Focused Investment in Player Protection Technology

Beyond executive hires, Allwyn has advanced its player safety credentials through the Allwyn Player Protection Lab. This programme, launched in September 2025, supports research projects by offering up to €100,000 in funding per successful applicant. The initiative aims to foster novel approaches and tools for player safety in gambling, attracting both academic and industry participants.

In July, the Player Protection Lab awarded two grants:

• Dr Michael Auer, a psychologist and statistician, will test personalised messaging strategies designed to improve responsible gambling behaviours
• Newton University, a leading academic institution in Czechia, received funding to develop a Safer Gambling Assessment Tool (SGAT) specifically for the Gen Z demographic’s online habits

The Lab’s approach reflects Allwyn’s broader commitment to developing evidence-based, scalable solutions for player protection.

Governance, Expansion, and Secondary Listing Plans

Alongside these responsible gaming measures, Allwyn continues to expand its profile through investments and potential listings. CEO Robert Chvátal and CFO Kenneth Morton recently discussed Allwyn’s first-half results, investment in Betano, and plans for a possible secondary listing in either London or New York. The move would further signify Allwyn’s ambitions on the global stage and its intent to compete as a publicly recognised gaming operator.

Meanwhile, the company’s initiatives around responsible gaming are positioned as central to its long-term strategy — incorporating both executive leadership and direct investment in technology and research.

Executive Movements and Succession in Responsible Gaming Roles

The transition from Nicole Garrett to Francesco Rodano underlines a trend of leadership mobility across major UK and European gambling entities. Garrett’s move to The Bingo Association as CEO connects Allwyn’s responsible gaming background directly with UK bingo’s trade governance. Rodano’s appointment meanwhile signals Allwyn’s intent to integrate cross-vertical expertise, supported by his dual background in policy development and advanced analytics from his time overseeing BetBuddy at Playtech.

For senior talent in the industry, the example also draws attention to the executive search process underpinning such moves, with specialist recruitment firms supporting transitions at the upper echelons of responsible gambling leadership.

Conclusion

Francesco Rodano’s arrival at Allwyn marks a continuation of the operator’s efforts to champion responsible gambling, supported by research funding and ongoing investment in its core European and US brands. The company positions itself as a leader in scalable, data-driven player protection across its lottery and betting interests.