James Curwen

From Casino Floor to C-Suite

Curwen began his career in 1998 as Casino Manager at The Ritz Hotel & Casino in London, gaining hands-on experience in casino operations and management. This early exposure provided him with a solid understanding of the gambling business at its most fundamental level.

In the 2000s, Curwen advanced into senior management roles at major gaming operators. He served as Casino Director at Ladbrokes Coral from 2006 to 2009, and as Director at RandomGamesLimited between 2009 and 2011. Curwen then joined William Hill, where he held several key director-level positions from 2011 to 2017—including Director of Gaming, Director of Gaming Innovation, Director of Gaming P&L, and Chief Gaming Product Officer—overseeing the company’s digital casino and gaming expansion.

Curwen continued his leadership journey as Chief Gaming Officer at Superbet from 2017 to 2018, before becoming CEO of Golden Rock Studios, an independent slot developer, from 2018 to 2021. Most recently, he served as Chief Online Officer at OPAP from 2021 to 2023, managing the Greek operator’s entire online division.

CEO at Yggdrasil

In September 2023, Yggdrasil announced Curwen as its incoming CEO, replacing Björn Krantz. He officially assumed the role on 1 October 2023, joining the company during a period of consolidation and renewed focus on product output. His mandate has centered on improving internal processes, increasing efficiency, and strengthening commercial performance while maintaining the studio’s creative identity.

Since taking over, Curwen has streamlined Yggdrasil’s game delivery pipeline and implemented a more structured release calendar under the “YGG23” initiative. He has also emphasized greater alignment between technology, compliance, and content teams to improve execution across all areas of the business.

A Voice of Experience

Curwen’s leadership style is pragmatic and data-driven. He consistently emphasizes the importance of discipline in game production and sustainable growth in regulated markets. Unlike many industry figures focused solely on innovation, he brings a strong operational mindset rooted in both B2C and B2B environments.

His experience spans multiple verticals—including slots, sports betting, and online platforms—making him one of the more well-rounded executives in the European gaming market. Operating from Malta, Curwen continues to guide Yggdrasil through a competitive phase in the supplier market. Under his leadership, the company is focused on maintaining a regular cadence of high-quality releases, optimizing its proprietary technology, and reinforcing its position as a reliable content partner.