Posted on: December 9, 2021, 06:56h.
Last updated on: December 9, 2021, 06:56h.
Social gaming platform PickGuru is entering the UK gaming space. The move comes following the approval of its license by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Being a platform that emphasizes social interaction, it’s no surprise that its new CEO will be a former TikTok executive.
Oliver Slipper, co-founder of PickGuru. The sports betting platform has been approved to launch by the UKGC. (Image: SBC News)
PickGuru was envisioned by Oliver Slipper, the co-founder of Stats Perform at DAZN. The concept is a platform that delivers a “social gaming disruptor” linking real-money betting and live sports.
A Unique Twist to the Sports Betting Paradigm
Users of the platform can create challenges and competitions tied to a number of live games. Receiving a license by the UKGC is a “significant step” in the company’s evolution, according to co-founder and COO Paul Watkins.
We really try to emphasise the skill aspect of our games whilst keeping a firm eye on responsibility. We’re really excited to welcome users onboard and we’re confident they will love the experience,” asserts Paul Cobley, chief technical officer and co-founder of PickGuru.
With the license in hand, PickGuru will be able to give platform users access to competitive sports challenges and real-time data feeds, all for real-money prizes. Whereas most sports betting is passive in a certain sense. Wagers are placed and then bettors can only wait for the outcome to be revealed. PickGuru wants to enhance engagement and bring sports betting and sports watching closer together.
Social Guru to Lead PickGuru
To help push the company’s model forward, PickGuru will rely on Olly Roland-Jones. He has been announced as the company’s new CEO, operating out of London. With experience as a partnership executive for TikTok, Roland-Jones should understand the social aspect of what the platform is creating.
The new CEO has extensive experience in the sports ecosystem. His role at TikTok focused on sports partnerships, and, according to his LinkedIn profile, he is also the co-founder and former director of onSport. Prior to that, he was the GM for cleverGames. He predicts that PickGuru will be a “game-changer” in the sports betting industry.
Slipper said when announcing the new hire, “We can move to the next phase on our journey after securing our UKGC licence and closing our £2.6m seed round last month. I’m delighted to welcome Olly Roland-Jones to lead the business as our CEO.”
PickGuru Finds Plenty of Support
A number of individuals in the sports betting space believe that PickGuru has real potential. A seed funding round allowed it to collect around $3.43 million in November. The company is backed by Adam Perrin, the co-Founder of Masomo Games and ex-brand director at Paddy Power. It is also supported by Pitch International co-founders Jon Owen and Jon Youwell and Marshmallow founders Oliver and Alexander Kent-Braham and more.
