Online Gambling in California? San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Certainly Think So

San Manuel Indians turn to Matthew Cullen to head their offense aiming to introduce online gambling in California.

California San Manuel Indian tribe has convinced a renowned online gambling veteran, Matthew Cullen, to head their take on the online casinos in United States. The executive is famous for his roles at Betfair, one of the biggest sportsbooks in the UK and RocketPlay, social sports betting company.

Cullen will take the position of the Chief Executive Officer at San Manuel Digital, LLC, the digital development company set up by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The tribe plays an important role in the ongoing debate over the change in American gambling laws allowing online businesses in the state.

Matthew Cullen’s credentials

Cullen has over twenty years of experience in entertainment and online gambling business under his belt. His experience comes from both overseas and the United States as well. His most recent position as chief business development officer and president of RocketPlay, allowed him to gain valuable US market knowledge.

The company is a renowned cross-platform social gambling operator.

San Manuel Indian tribe hire Matthew Cullen to lead their online gambling firm

• The California tribe is playing an important role in efforts to legalize online casinos in US
• Cullen boasts over 20 years of experience in online gambling management
• His previous employers include Betfair and RocketPlay

When employed as the president of RocketPlay, Cullen was responsible for developing and executing the company's business strategy across the Facebook, iOS and Android platforms. He also took part in raising the necessary operating capital from Pitango Venture Capital.

Cullen was on the forefront of acquisition and integration of a mobile social casino development enterprise, acquired by RocketPlay in 2012. Moreover, he has executed the company’s third party publishing relationship with Zynga.

Before taking on the position at RocketPlay, Cullen has served as vice president of business development for Betfair’s US New Ventures. His responsibilities included drawing and implementing Betfair Group’s strategic US partnerships in a variety of gambling sectors, such as casinos, poker, betting on sports, horseracing, as well as fantasy sports.

Prior to Betfair, Cullen has launched and was successful with a number of start-ups in the digital media business. His companies served real estate firms, search engines, and interactive TV.

The new enterprise

In his new role, Matthew Cullen will be responsible for finding business opportunities in the online gambling and social gambling industry. He will be reporting directly to San Manuel Digital Board of Managers.

American gambling news have quoted Carla Rodriguez, chairperson of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians: "San Manuel looks to the future with a clear understanding that technology will be a critical factor to the success of the gaming and entertainment industry overall, and has created San Manuel Digital to direct development and pursue opportunities in that area."

She went on to add: "Mr. Cullen's skills, expertise and history of success in interactive and social gaming will enhance our ability to maintain a leadership position in the industry."

Here’s what the man himself, Matthew Cullen had to say: "I am fortunate to be on the cutting edge of interactive gaming technology, the application of which continues to impact the entire gaming industry in significant ways. The opportunity to lead the i-gaming effort of San Manuel Digital is a challenge that I embrace with commitment."

More facts about Matthew Cullen

Besides working for Betfair and RocketPlay, Cullen has also founded and is currently serving as board member of the International Social Games Association. The body was created aiming to educate and inform the public, lawmakers and regulators about social gaming. Other goals of the association are developing and promoting a unified set of socially-responsible values to its members.

The International Social Games Association members include RocketPlay, MGM, IGT, Caesar’s, Aristocrat, Play Studios, Gamesys, and Plumbee.