Itai Pazner ran 888 Holdings as CEO from January 2019 to January 2023. He led the company’s $2.35 billion acquisition of William Hill’s international business, one of the largest deals in online gambling history. His exit came within hours of 888 disclosing compliance failures in the Middle East. Today, he works as an advisor and investor in gaming and fintech.
Who Is Itai Pazner?
Itai Pazner is a gaming industry executive who spent 22 years at 888 Holdings, a British online betting and casino company. He joined in 2001 and rose from a marketing role to Chief Executive Officer in 2019.
As CEO, he steered 888 through its purchase of William Hill’s operations outside the US and its early US sports betting push with SI Sportsbook. He left the company in January 2023 following a compliance review. He now advises gaming and technology startups and invests in early-stage companies.
Itai Pazner’s Career at 888 Holdings
Pazner spent more than two decades building expertise across every part of 888’s business, from frontline marketing to the boardroom.
| Year | Milestone |
| 2001 | Joined 888 Holdings in a marketing role |
| 2011 | Named SVP, Head of B2C (bingo, poker, casino, and sports betting) |
| 2017 | Appointed Chief Operating Officer |
| 2019 | Appointed Chief Executive Officer |
| 2022 | Completed the $2.35 billion William Hill International acquisition |
| 2023 | Stepped down as CEO |
He earned a degree in economics and business from Israel’s College of Management Academic Studies. He later added a corporate finance program at London Business School. That blend of hands-on marketing background and formal finance training shaped how he ran 888’s global operations.
Itai Pazner and the William Hill Deal: 888’s Biggest Bet
Itai Pazner’s defining move as CEO was buying William Hill’s international arm from Caesars Entertainment.
888 completed the $2.35 billion deal in July 2022. In the process, 888 gained two established brands, William Hill and Mr Green, along with hundreds of UK betting shops. That gave 888 both an online business and a large network of physical shops across Europe.
Pazner also pushed 888 into new markets during his tenure. In the US, he led a partnership with Sports Illustrated to launch SI Sportsbook, extending 888’s reach into new regulated US sports betting markets. Because 888’s own sportsbook, 888sport, isn’t available to American bettors, this partnership gave 888 a legal path into the US market instead.
In Africa, 888 co-founded a local partnership called 888Africa, bringing the 888bet brand to players in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zambia.
Why Itai Pazner Left 888 Holdings
Pazner’s exit wasn’t a planned retirement. It landed hours after 888 flagged serious compliance gaps.
888 suspended VIP accounts in parts of the Middle East in January 2023, after uncovering failures in its know-your-customer and anti-money laundering checks. Pazner left the CEO post that day, effective immediately.
The exit followed earlier penalties tied to the William Hill deal. UK regulators fined 888 UK £9.4 million in 2022. A year later, William Hill entities agreed to a £19.2 million settlement, the largest of its kind, over conduct that predated the acquisition. Both cases pointed to weak player-protection controls, the same issue behind the January 2023 suspension.
What Itai Pazner Does Now
Pazner didn’t step away from gambling. He shifted from running an operator to advising them.
Since leaving 888, he has worked as a strategic advisor and investor across iGaming, fintech, and technology. He helps startups with market strategy, funding, and leadership hires, drawing on his years running a global operator with roughly 12,000 employees.
He’s also an angel investor, backing early-stage gaming and media companies. His current work sits closer to venture building than day-to-day operations, a real shift from the scale of his 888 years.
888 Holdings Then and Now: What Changed After Itai Pazner
888 didn’t stay the same company after Pazner left.
| Feature | 888 Holdings (2019-2023) | Evoke plc (Today) |
| CEO | Itai Pazner | Per Widerström |
| Core brands | 888, SI Sportsbook | 888, Wm Hill, Mr Green, SI Sportsbook |
| Strategic focus | Growth through acquisition | Compliance and cost control |
| Stock listing | London Stock Exchange | London Stock Exchange |
888 rebranded as Evoke plc in 2024. Jonathan Mendelsohn briefly ran the company on an interim basis before Widerström took over. The new leadership’s priority has been fixing the compliance issues that pushed Pazner out, not chasing the next acquisition.
The Bottom Line
Itai Pazner spent more than two decades turning 888 Holdings from a mid-size operator into a multi-brand gambling group. His William Hill deal reshaped the European betting market. His exit, tied to compliance failures, shows how fast regulatory issues can end even a successful run. He’s since carried that experience into a new wave of gaming and fintech startups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Itai Pazner?
Itai Pazner is a gaming industry executive who spent 22 years at 888 Holdings and served as its CEO from 2019 to 2023. He led the company’s acquisition of William Hill’s international business and its early US sports betting push. He now works as an advisor and investor in iGaming and fintech.
Why did Itai Pazner leave his role as 888 Holdings CEO?
Pazner stepped down in January 2023, hours after 888 suspended VIP accounts in parts of the Middle East over know-your-customer and anti-money laundering failures. The move followed earlier fines tied to compliance issues at 888 UK and William Hill.
What was Itai Pazner’s biggest deal at 888 Holdings?
His biggest deal was buying William Hill’s international business from Caesars Entertainment for $2.35 billion, completed in July 2022. That deal handed 888 two established brands, William Hill and Mr Green, plus hundreds of UK betting shops.
Is Itai Pazner still working in the gambling industry?
Yes. Since leaving 888, he has worked as a strategic advisor and investor, supporting iGaming, fintech, and technology startups with market strategy and funding.
What is 888 Holdings called today?
888 Holdings rebranded as Evoke plc in 2024. Per Widerström now leads the company as CEO, with priorities that shifted toward tighter compliance and lower costs.
