The search for a new CEO is currently under way. Finance director Anders Hägg has been appointed acting CEO. Winberg confirmed that the decision to fire Persdotter was associated with a major reorganisation taking place at the company.

“When one deals with such a large business, sometimes it works well in certain parts and not as well in others,” said Winberg. “Now we have launched this and we will enter a new phase. We think that it would be good if a new CEO takes over.”

Winberg did not want to call the hiring of Persdotter, the second senior executive to leave Svenska Spel in a week, a wrong recruitment choice.

“However, there have been concerns at the company,” said Winberg. “It is no surprise when one reorganises. Overall, we have determined that at the present time, we need another person.”

Last week, marketing director Tomas Agrell was replaced by Peter Jannerö, Winberg dismissed suggestions of a link between that and the decision to sack Persdotter:

“The two incidents are unrelated,” she said. “There, one can truly say that it was a poor hiring decision. He had to go.”

The recruitment of a new CEO is expected to take a long time.

“It will take at least a year, I believe,” said Winberg.