ThrillTech appoints industry veteran Amy Santos as new COO

The iGaming industry is currently undergoing a phase of intense professionalization where technical expertise and operational excellence dictate long-term success. In this dynamic environment, side-bet jackpot specialist ThrillTech has made a significant leadership decision. Amy Santos, a seasoned manager, has taken over the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) to guide the company's expansion into regulated markets worldwide. Santos officially started her new position on August 3, 2026, bringing an impressive resume that includes stints at some of the most recognizable names in the gambling world.

Santos's move to ThrillTech is seen by the industry as a clear signal of the provider's ambitious plans. The company, which only launched its first product, ThrillPots, in mid-2023, has quickly established itself as an innovative service provider. Its technological highlight is a SaaS solution that can also be self-hosted, ensuring that data never leaves the respective operator's data center. This focus on privacy and technical integrity is a unique selling point that Santos is now expected to expand operationally to better serve a growing partner base.

Numbers and facts

Amy Santos looks back on a career characterized by continuity and leadership experience. Before joining ThrillTech, she served as Director of Client Relations and Programme at Pragmatic Solutions for over four and a half years. Prior to that, she gained nearly two years of experience as a Strategic Programme Manager at William Hill. Her professional path also includes two years as a project manager at Rank Group and a five-and-a-half-year stint in the same role at Ladbrokes Coral Group. This cumulative experience in managing major accounts and implementing complex projects is invaluable for ThrillTech.

The company itself has made remarkable progress since entering the market about three years ago. In addition to licenses in the United Kingdom, ThrillTech recently secured approval from the Hellenic Gaming Commission in Greece. Notable partners already include brands such as Paf, Boyle Casino, and Pragmatic Solutions. With the appointment of Giles Potter as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) in April, who previously worked for Bragg Gaming Group and NetEnt, ThrillTech strategically strengthened its leadership team earlier this spring.

Background

ThrillTech's success is largely based on the vision of co-founder Benjamin Bradtke, who previously gained experience at the iGaming accelerator HappyHour.io. The appointment of Santos is part of a broader strategy to optimize operations for the next phase of global growth. Bradtke emphasized the significance of this move for the company's future:

"Amy’s proven track record in programme management and client relations at some of the industry’s biggest brands makes her the perfect fit to lead our operational strategy." - Benjamin Bradtke, Co-founder of ThrillTech

Santos herself sees great potential in the technological direction of her new employer. She stated that ThrillTech has quickly established itself as a true innovator in the side-bet jackpot space. Her goal is now to refine operations to meet the increasing demands of international partners. Scaling jackpot solutions in an increasingly complex regulatory environment is a primary focus of her responsibilities.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, developments at software providers like ThrillTech are of indirect but significant importance. In Germany, the State Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021) strictly regulates which types of games and additional features are permitted. Jackpots are a sensitive topic in German regulation because they are often associated with high winning promises and increased gaming incentives. Nevertheless, licensed operators on the GGL whitelist are looking for legal ways to enhance the player experience through innovative mechanics like side-bets, provided they comply with strict rules.

Players in Germany must adhere to a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros across all providers, monitored by the LUGAS system. Additionally, a stake limit of a maximum of 1 euro per round applies to virtual slots. If providers like ThrillTech want to bring their technologies to the German market, these systems must be precisely tailored to the requirements of the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL). This includes complying with the five-second wait time between spins and excluding autoplay functions. Innovation here must always go hand in hand with strict German player protection.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators with a German GGL license, the reinforcement of ThrillTech's leadership means that a potentially important partner for supplementary technologies is gaining stability. German online casinos are under pressure to differentiate themselves in a legal but tightly regulated market. Innovative side-bet solutions could be a differentiator if they pass strict certification processes. Amy Santos's experience with large regulated brands suggests that ThrillTech takes the complexity of national legislation seriously.

A focus on licensed markets, as Santos announced for ThrillTech, suits German providers. It reduces the risk of sourcing software from companies that are simultaneously active in the gray market or in unregulated jurisdictions like Curacao, which the GGL views very critically. The reliability of the technical infrastructure promised by ThrillTech with its locally hosted solution could also help to technically map the strict requirements for data transmission and player protection in Germany.