Svenska Spel begins search for new leader as Käll confirms 2018 exit

Swedish state-owned gambling operator Svenska Spel is in search of a new leader, following the resignation of Lennart Käll as Chief Executive.

Updating the market, Käll confirmed that he would end his leadership tenure this coming summer, stating that it was time for Svenska Spel to be guided by a fresh face.

Käll has served as Svenska Spel CEO since 2011, restructuring the state-owned enterprise whilst launching new gambling products and services.

“I am proud of what I together with my management at Svenska Spel have accomplished during my time as CEO. We have delivered on public assignments and showed that as a gaming company you can combine responsibility and growth. Svenska Spel is well equipped for Sweden’s new gaming market.”

Confirming his departure, Käll has chosen not to lead Svenska Spel through its next phase of corporate development, as Sweden prepares to fully regulate its gambling markets.

Entering 2018, the Swedish government has published initial draft laws to regulate gambling across multiple verticals, setting a target implementation date of 1 January 2019, the new Swedish Gambling framework will replace provisions set by the 1994 Lottery Act and the1999 Casino Act.

Svenska Spel Chairman Erik Strand thanked Käll for his seven years of leadership, meeting key objectives.  “We thank Lennart for the good work he has done during his seven years as CEO. Svenska Spel – Swedish people’s gaming company – is well prepared for the restructuring of the market, that will hopefully come into force at the turn of the year. The recruitment of Lennart’s successor has started and will be completed in the spring”