Svenska Spel confirms Anna Johnson as replacement for Hofbauer

Svenska Spel, one of the longest-standing gambling companies in Sweden, has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer in the face of Anna Johnson who will take over the reins from the outgoing incumbent, Patrik Hofbauer.

She will also serve as the company’s new President, and step in the position at a yet unspecified date but before June 2024. Johnson has extensive leadership and industry experience which will help her helm one of the most formidable gaming companies in the regulated gambling market in the country.

This sentiment is expressed by the company’s Board of Directors which has confirmed that Johnson’s appointment has been a well-considered move which reflects on the company’s ongoing ambition to continue and dominate the regulated gambling market in the country.

Erik Strand, Board Chairman, confirmed that the company was now looking forward to collaborating with the incoming CEO. Johnson was similarly excited to assume this new responsibility and embark on the journey as part of Svenska Spel’s team. She hailed Svenska Spel as a company with a well-established track record in the vertical and bringer of various experiences to players.

"I am really looking forward to leading Svenska Spel's journey of change together with the employees and continuing to create results," Johnson shared in the official press release. Hofbauer announced his departure from the company in October this year, and is expected to finally step down on January 31, 2024.

Meanwhile, the regulated iGaming and sports betting market in the country has been in a state of flux. A newly-proposed change to the taxation rate has had some companies worried that they may struggle to keep up if the new rate is introduced.

The matter was condemned by the country’s online gambling trade group, BOS, which said that such a move would not really help address the main issue, which is the lack of sufficient channelization into the regulated market. On the contrary, increasing the tax levy would make regulated and legitimate operators less competitive in the long term.

Johnson will be stepping at the helm of Svenska Spel at a time of interesting changes to how the regulated market in the country operates.

Image credit: Svenska Spel