Swedish Gaming Company Appoints New CEO and Launches Live Casino Service
Due to Sweden's updated regulations in the gaming sector, state-owned online provider Svenska Spel has named a new CEO and is already gearing up for technological improvements and new content. Coming soon is a live casino collaboration with Evolution Gaming Group.
Patrik Hofbauer, the new CEO of Svenska Spel, will assume his duties at the end of December and prepare the company for the revised Swedish gaming market starting in January 2019. Replacing Lennart Käll, who's led Svenska Spel since 2011 and stepped down due to the liberalization plans, Hofbauer is known for his experience in the telecommunications industry. He's worked for companies like Canal Digital, Clear Channel, and NEC Scandinavia, as well as serving as the CEO at Telenor Sweden. His background in both business and sport has been praised by Erik Strand, Chairman of the Board at Svenska Spel:
"His business and sports experience will be invaluable. Svenska Spel is in for an exciting time with the new gambling legislation. I believe Patrik Hofbauer is the ideal person to guide the company through this transition."
Hofbauer is looking forward to the challenge and the integration of "business and sport":
"Svenska Spel is facing an exciting challenge for a strong brand. I am excited about the prospect of leading the company into the next phase."
Lennart Käll, who plans to depart Svenska Spel on July 19, says he's accomplished his goal of turning Svenska Spel into a "responsible gambling company" during his tenure. In the interim, CFO and Vice President Marie Loob will temporarily manage the organization.
Beginning in January, Svenska Spel will collaborate with Stockholm-based betting platform "Evolution Gaming" to offer live casino products, including horse racing and iGaming divisions. This partnership aims to increase Svenska Spel's competitiveness in the face of the "tough competition" from 2019. To improve its online platform's infrastructure, the company plans to split it into two separate entities: one for number games and scratch cards, and the other for sports betting and casino games. Consequently, each will have its own account manager and customer database.
Speaking on the planned upgrades to the customer experience, Svenska Spel Sport & Casino Managing Director Fredrik Wastenson describes these updates as a "substantial investment":
"We're investing extensively in our CRM system, and we're confident that we'll be able to offer unique gaming experiences on our future websites."
Svenska Spel, formed in 1997, previously had a monopoly on online gaming. The new Swedish regulations will create three market segments: non-profit, state, and competitive sectors for international online providers. Applications for a Swedish license and associated regulations will be on the Swedish Gambling Authority Lotteriinspektionen's website starting July 10. Several Swedish gaming brands, such as Betsson, Kindred, Mr. Green, and Cherry, are expected to vie for licenses. As part of its regulation initiatives, the Swedish government has also announced a national self-exclusion system based on the British GAMSTOP model.
Svenska Spel was a monopoly in the online gaming space until Sweden's new regulations, which will create three market divisions: non-profit, state, and a competitive sector for international providers. Applications and regulations are expected on the Swedish Gambling Authority website by July 10. The previous CEO, Lennart Käll, will exit the company by July 19. He says he's fulfilled his goal of transforming Svenska Spel into a "responsible gaming company." The next leader, Patrik Hofbauer, has a telecom industry background and experience in the sports world. He plans to begin his post in December and will introduce Svenska Spel to the new gambling market, as well as investing heavily in the company's CRM system and customer-oriented website improvements. His predecessor, Lennart Käll, will part ways in July.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
