Jenny Barthelsson -
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Of Swedish origin, Jenny Barthelsson is a marketing professional with specific experience in the initial structuring of marketing departments, management of affiliate and CRM strategies and the definition of campaigns for the promotion - on an international level - of gaming in general. She has worked for on-line gaming companies Gala Coral Eurobet (specialising in CRM and affiliate management, and where she presently continues to advise on the management of the company's Scandinavian customer services department), Victor Chandler (Partner Marketing Manager) and Paradisebet (Marketing Manager, assisting with the rebrand of the site to www.1128.com).
Swedish gaming operator Svenska Spel has been threatened with heavy fines for placing potentially illegal gaming machines in retail outlets. The machines in question, although marketed as internet terminals, are alleged to be pre-programmed gaming machines with shortcuts to Svenska Spel online.
Following the departure of the company’s CEO just weeks ago, Swedish monopoly gaming operator Svenska Spel has been affected by two more defections in its ranks. Two divisional managers resigned this week, indicating their reluctance to embrace the change in managerial direction away from market competitiveness towards a more restricted offering favoured by the Swedish government and the company’s new chairwoman.
Svenska Spel’s Jesper Kärrbrink announced yesterday that he is to step down from his role as CEO of the company. The announcement comes less than three weeks after the appointment of a new chair to the Svenska Spel board, and furthers speculation that the state-owned gaming operator is likely to witness a restriction in its room to manoeuvre in the Swedish market over the coming months.
Ministerial rhetoric on reshaping gambling monopoly Svenska Spel into a more socially responsible operator has evidently not been communicated to Brussels, as time runs out for Sweden to answer EU concerns. The appointment of a new chairman for the operator, widely regarded as unsuitable for the role, has also raised questions about government indecision.
Under fire from the EU over its gaming laws, Sweden’s prosecutors have now been advised to halt their attempts to prosecute media organisations that accept advertising from foreign bookmakers. The delay, ordered until the EU completes its infringement processes, means that many of the ongoing cases will expire before they can be tried.
Svenska Spel’s new Bingo Live product has caused a stir in Sweden with accusations flying that it has gone into competition with bingo organised by the country’s sporting associations, but on totally different terms. Now Svebico, the sports body’s bingo organisation has decided to take action and has reported Svenska Spel to the Lotteriinspetionen, Sweden’s gaming authority.
Swedish gambling monopoly Svenska Spel has been prolific in its announcements of overseas expansion in 2007 but as the year draws to a close it is becoming clear that many of the deals were never approved by the Swedish government and now face being unwound.
Following news of rising levels of gambling addiction amongst Swedish online poker players, Svenska Spel’s expansion plans for their own internet poker product have been rebuffed by the Swedish government.
Sweden’s state-owned gaming operator Svenska Spel has been censured over a controversial banner advert aimed against indirect competitor ATG, the organisation that controls horseracing in the country.
Moderate Party members voted at their congress last weekend in favour of a proposal to liberalise the country’s gambling market but the Swedish Government still advocates taking a more cautious approach towards regulation.
