Evoke executives apologize for compliance audit missteps; commission approves technology director
October 23, 2025 | Nevada Gaming Control Board, Executive Agencies, Organizations, Executive, Nevada
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The Nevada Gaming Commission on Oct. 23 approved the license application of Ophir (Ophir) Saloni to serve as director of engineering and gaming for Evoke (formerly 888), after the company acknowledged shortcomings in an internal compliance audit and pledged to repair regulatory relations.
Counsel for Evoke disclosed that the company previously appeared before the Nevada Gaming Control Board after a compliance audit was mishandled early in the process. Evoke representatives, including Chief of Risk Harinder Gill and other senior compliance officers, told the board and commission they regret how the audit was conducted, that formal apology letters were sent to the board’s audit team, and that those letters were accepted by Chief Crowley of the Gaming Control Board.
Gill told the commission: “We apologize … for the way that we engaged with the audit team and it will not happen again.” He added that Evoke was stepping up practical commitments to Nevada, including a recently announced partnership to study responsible gambling using artificial intelligence at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Gill said Evoke “are investing 300,000 US dollars with that institution,” and framed the grant as an example of the company’s commitment to responsible gambling and to the state.
Saloni, who joined Evoke’s corporate family in 2014 and participates in the hearing from Israel, described his background in engineering and his oversight of technical teams based in Israel, Bucharest and Leeds. He told commissioners his work is conducted through a combination of remote operations and periodic travel and that Evoke maintains offices at those locations.
Commissioners said they accepted the company’s apology but emphasized that actions matter more than words. Several commissioners pressed the company’s executives on timeliness and professional conduct during the audit; Evoke said subsequent engagement with the Gaming Control Board had been cooperative and on time. Evoke indicated that the company will continue to report to Nevada regulators and said it had named a new independent compliance committee member, Mark Summerfield.
Motion and outcome: The commission voted to approve the license application for Ophir Saloni as described in nonrestricted item 7. The motion passed with all commissioners present voting in favor.
Why it matters: Evoke is a significant online operator whose compliance posture matters to Nevada because of cross-jurisdictional online operations and technical platforms. The company’s pledge to fund responsible-gambling AI research with UNLV and to restore regulator relations addresses some regulators’ stated priorities.
What’s next: The Gaming Control Board continues a parallel audit; Evoke said no material compliance issues had been identified at the time of the commission vote and that it would continue to cooperate with Nevada investigators.
Counsel for Evoke disclosed that the company previously appeared before the Nevada Gaming Control Board after a compliance audit was mishandled early in the process. Evoke representatives, including Chief of Risk Harinder Gill and other senior compliance officers, told the board and commission they regret how the audit was conducted, that formal apology letters were sent to the board’s audit team, and that those letters were accepted by Chief Crowley of the Gaming Control Board.
Gill told the commission: “We apologize … for the way that we engaged with the audit team and it will not happen again.” He added that Evoke was stepping up practical commitments to Nevada, including a recently announced partnership to study responsible gambling using artificial intelligence at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Gill said Evoke “are investing 300,000 US dollars with that institution,” and framed the grant as an example of the company’s commitment to responsible gambling and to the state.
Saloni, who joined Evoke’s corporate family in 2014 and participates in the hearing from Israel, described his background in engineering and his oversight of technical teams based in Israel, Bucharest and Leeds. He told commissioners his work is conducted through a combination of remote operations and periodic travel and that Evoke maintains offices at those locations.
Commissioners said they accepted the company’s apology but emphasized that actions matter more than words. Several commissioners pressed the company’s executives on timeliness and professional conduct during the audit; Evoke said subsequent engagement with the Gaming Control Board had been cooperative and on time. Evoke indicated that the company will continue to report to Nevada regulators and said it had named a new independent compliance committee member, Mark Summerfield.
Motion and outcome: The commission voted to approve the license application for Ophir Saloni as described in nonrestricted item 7. The motion passed with all commissioners present voting in favor.
Why it matters: Evoke is a significant online operator whose compliance posture matters to Nevada because of cross-jurisdictional online operations and technical platforms. The company’s pledge to fund responsible-gambling AI research with UNLV and to restore regulator relations addresses some regulators’ stated priorities.
What’s next: The Gaming Control Board continues a parallel audit; Evoke said no material compliance issues had been identified at the time of the commission vote and that it would continue to cooperate with Nevada investigators.
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