Exclusive: How Cristiano Blanco wants to take Hard Rock Casino to the top
•
18 Dec 2024 •
Reading time: 3 minutes Cristiano Blanco has been the new CEO of Hard Rock Casino NL since December 1st. He succeeds founder Paul Strikers, who will continue as Public Affairs Manager and will also fulfill the role of Money Laundering Reporting Officer.
In an exclusive interview with Gambling Club, Blanco shares his vision and plans for the future of the online casino.
“It is an honor to take on this role after Paul Strikers. Paul remains an important force within the company, and I look forward to working with him on a daily basis. He brings a wealth of experience in B2B, while I focus on B2C. This collaboration will only make us stronger.”
An impressive career path in the gambling world
Blanco started out as a journalist twenty years ago, but made the switch to the gambling industry in 2007. After a successful career as a professional poker player, he worked at companies such as Everest Poker, BetBright and Kindred. At Kindred, he rose to Group Head of Gaming and Group Head of Casino.
His experience at Kindred and ComeOn gave him the opportunity to work in both unregulated and regulated markets. “At Kindred, I learned the importance of understanding a market before you enter it,” Blanco explains. “At ComeOn, I led the launch of a fully licensed brand in the Netherlands. I now bring that knowledge to Hard Rock Casino.”
Blanco’s vision for growth and innovation
Blanco emphasizes that the unique Hard Rock brand identity is a major strength. “Our tone is young, fresh and distinctive. This gives us an edge in the market,” he says. His plan is to continue to build the brand by strengthening the team, improving operations and introducing new products.
“I see plenty of opportunities for growth,” Blanco says. “We need to sharpen our marketing, be customer-focused and optimize our product line. By focusing on quality and innovation, we can achieve sustainable growth.”
Challenges and opportunities in the Dutch market
Blanco acknowledges that the Dutch gambling market faces challenges. “Higher taxes and stricter marketing regulations make it difficult,” he says. However, he sees these obstacles as opportunities. “New regulations ensure a level playing field. We can differentiate ourselves by focusing on quality and compliance.”
Blanco also supports measures to tackle the illegal gambling market. “This protects players and ensures fair competition,” he explains. “It is important that all parties adhere to the same rules.”
Technology and innovation at the heart of his plans
According to Blanco, technology, and AI in particular, plays a crucial role in the future of Hard Rock Casino. “We have the advantage that as a new operator we can integrate AI from day one,” he says. “This helps us to work more efficiently and provide a better user experience.”
The importance of compliance and customer focus
Blanco emphasizes that compliance with regulations is a top priority. “Compliance is always our top priority,” he says. “At the same time, we want to offer a unique experience to our customers. Our goal is to be professional and bring a breath of fresh air to the gambling world.”
Future plans for Hard Rock Casino NL
Blanco has big ambitions for the online casino. “We want to grow into a Tier 1 operator in the Netherlands,” he says determinedly. “In five years, I want Hard Rock Casino to be known for innovation, customer focus and operational excellence. We have the tools and the team to achieve that.”