Karrbrink Steps Down From Svenska Spel 

The Chief Executive Officer for Sweden’s Svenska Spel, Jesper Karrbrink, has announced that he has stepped down after consultations with the firm’s Board of Directors.

In a statement, Karrbrink said that his ideas on how to run the company did not agree with those of the owners, the State, and that he thought it best to step aside in order to allow the Board to find a successor.

“I am very proud of Svenska Spel’s achievements in the last years,” said Karrbrink.

“Our commitment in responsible gaming and social responsibility has no equivalent in the gaming business neither nationally nor internationally. Simultaneously, with the increased gaming responsibility we have succeeded in also increasing the profitability through channelling gaming to our safer and more secure environment.

“The more general restrictivity that the Government now wants is not in line with my view on how Svenska Spel’s commercial and responsible gaming activities should be developed. I and the Board have, therefore, agreed that the best thing to do in this situation is finding a successor as CEO.”

The announcement comes just days after the appointment of Margareta Winberg, a former Social Democratic Deputy Prime Minister, as the new Chairperson of Svenksa Spel with a brief to counteract gaming's damaging effects.

“I regret that Jesper Karrbrink now leaves Svenska Spel,” said Winberg.

“Jesper has been a creative leader and has reorganised Svenska Spel in an efficient way. But, I also understand Jesper’s situation. If you do not share the owner’s fundamental perspective on how the company should be governed you can no longer be the leader of the company.

“The process of recruiting a new Chief Executive Officer will now commence. Meanwhile, Chief Financial Officer Anders Hagg will be acting Chief Executive Officer.”