The leadership transition follows 28 years under founder Michael Tobin and supports the company’s next phase of global iGaming technology growth
Continent 8 Technologies has appointed Mike Small as Chief Executive Officer, effective 15 July 2026, while founder Michael Tobin moves into the role of Chairman after 28 years as CEO.
The transition marks a major leadership change for one of the iGaming sector’s most established managed IT, cloud, connectivity and cybersecurity providers.
Small brings more than 25 years of global technology leadership experience to the role. He joins after serving as President of Akkodis North America and US Country President of The Adecco Group, where he led large-scale technology, engineering, managed services and workforce solutions businesses.
His background also includes senior executive roles at Sitel Group, IBM, Hewlett Packard, Capgemini and VXI & SYMBIO Global Solutions.
Over the past year, Small served as a Strategic Board Advisor to Continent 8, working closely with the executive leadership team before taking on the CEO position.
Based in Miami, he will lead the company’s next growth phase, with a focus on expanding global presence, strengthening customer partnerships and developing Continent 8’s infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity and AI-enabled technology solutions.
That remit reflects where the iGaming technology market is moving. Operators and platform providers increasingly need resilient infrastructure, low-latency connectivity, cyber defence, cloud capability and AI-ready environments that can support regulated operations across multiple jurisdictions.
Michael Tobin, Founder and Chairman of Continent 8 Technologies
“After 28 remarkable years leading Continent 8, I am incredibly proud of what our team has built and achieved. This transition has been thoughtfully planned, and I have complete confidence in Mike’s ability to lead the company into its next chapter. His experience in scaling global technology businesses and his deep understanding of our customers and strategy, makes him the ideal leader to build on the strong foundation we have created.”
Tobin will continue to work with Small and the executive team to support a smooth transition. As Chairman, he will focus on governance, long-term strategy and key stakeholder relationships.
The move allows Continent 8 to retain its founder’s strategic involvement while placing day-to-day executive leadership with a CEO whose background is rooted in scaling technology and managed services businesses.
That balance will matter as the company continues to serve operators in highly regulated and latency-sensitive environments.
Mike Small, Chief Executive Officer of Continent 8 Technologies
“Continent 8 has built an exceptional reputation for delivering mission-critical technology solutions to customers operating in highly regulated and latency-sensitive environments. Having worked closely with the company over the 12 months, I have seen first-hand the strength of the business, the talent of our people, and the opportunities ahead.
“I look forward to working with our team to deepen customer partnerships, accelerate innovation, and continue delivering the secure, resilient, and high-performance solutions our customers depend on.”
Since its founding in 1998, Continent 8 has grown into one of the iGaming industry’s most trusted technology providers.
The company operates a private global network of more than 100 connected data centre locations across four continents and more than 30 US states. Its services include mission-critical infrastructure, managed cloud, cybersecurity, connectivity, managed services and AI-ready infrastructure.
That footprint gives Continent 8 a strong position with operators and platform providers that require multi-market coverage, regulatory awareness and high availability.
The timing of the CEO transition is also notable. iGaming infrastructure has become more complex as operators expand across North America, Latin America, Europe and other regulated markets.
Data residency, cyber risk, compliance, player account uptime, fraud prevention and real-time betting performance all place pressure on technology partners.
Continent 8’s focus on regulated and latency-sensitive environments gives the company a clear role in that supply chain. Its customers need infrastructure that can support betting, gaming, payments, customer data and security without compromising performance.
Small’s AI and managed services background also fits the company’s current direction. Continent 8 has been investing in AI, data and cyber-defence capabilities, including the appointment of Cris Kuehl as Chief Data, Information and AI Officer earlier in 2026.
The leadership change therefore sits within a broader technology roadmap rather than a standalone appointment.
For customers, the main question will be continuity. Tobin’s move to Chairman signals that the founder will remain involved, while Small’s year as Strategic Board Advisor gives him direct exposure to the company’s people, customers and strategy before taking the CEO role.
That planned transition should help reduce disruption.
For Continent 8, the appointment sets up a new phase focused on scale, innovation and customer partnership. The company’s next chapter will likely be shaped by regulated-market expansion, AI-ready infrastructure, cybersecurity demand and the growing need for resilient technology across the global iGaming and online sports betting industry.
