Head of Responsible Gaming Maris Catania leaves Kindred Group after 13 years

Maris Catania will leave iGaming firm Kindred Group after 13 years to embark on a consultancy journey within the area, she announced on Wednesday.

Ms Catania started off as a Risk and Fraud Analyst at the company, before she worked her way up its responsible gaming team to become Head of Responsible Gaming and Research, a position she has been entrusted with for over three years. During her time there, she started an innovative detection tool, known as Player Safety – Early Detection System (PS-EDS), which allowed the company to benefit commercially and in terms of addressing Corporate Social Responsibility.

“13 years ago I joined Kindred Group, and looking back I cannot believe what a rollercoaster it has been,” she said.

“I have seen responsible gaming go from a non-existent necessary evil to an area on the top of the agenda for many, although more work is always needed on the topic,” Ms Catania added.

She remarked that she will “always be grateful” for Kindred and “all the opportunities” they have given her, before adding that she will still work with the company to continue on a number of projects, especially research ones.

“I just feel that after all these years, I want to expand my knowledge to other areas and hopefully help others through responsible gaming research and initiatives,” Ms Catania continued.

While leaving the company has been a “whirlwind of emotions” for her, the news that Esther Scheepers will take her place makes her feel “reassured that Kindred is in the right hands”.

“I am super happy for her and have no doubt that she will excel in this,” Ms Catania concluded.

Ms Catania holds a Master of Science in Occupational Psychology from University of Leicester, Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) from University of Malta, and a Diploma in Gambling Addiction Counselling from Systematic Training and Trading Limited. She is also completing her PhD with a focus on analysing early signs of online problem gambling, responsible gaming tools, and responsible gaming promotion.