Allwyn has appointed former Betsson Group technology chief Fredrik Ögren as group chief technology officer, strengthening its senior technology leadership as the lottery-led gaming company continues to expand its digital operations.
Ögren joined Allwyn after spending five years as chief technology officer at Betsson Group. In his new position, he will report directly to Kresimir Spajic, CEO of Allwyn Digital, and take responsibility for shaping and executing technology strategy across the wider group.
His remit will focus on creating a more connected and efficient technology ecosystem across Allwyn’s markets, improving platform capabilities and customer experience while supporting the company’s continued expansion.
During his time at Betsson, Ögren led the operator’s technology strategy and development of large-scale platforms as the business expanded across multiple regulated jurisdictions. His tenure also covered Betsson’s latest Canadian expansion, including the €64.5 million acquisition of Rhino Entertainment Group’s Canadian B2C operations and selected technology assets.
The Rhino transaction, completed in August, included assets, licences, personnel and operational capabilities related to the acquired business in Ontario and other parts of Canada. Betsson also obtained Rhino’s proprietary front-end and middleware technology, which it plans to use to strengthen its B2B offering and generate additional licensing revenue.
Allwyn said Ögren’s experience managing large-scale technology transformation will support its efforts to develop a more scalable group-wide platform and accelerate innovation across its businesses.
The appointment also brings a change for Brett Cross, who had been serving as interim group CTO. Cross will move into the newly created role of CTO of global lottery and deputy group CTO, reporting to Ögren. Allwyn said the two executives will form part of its technology leadership structure for the company’s next stage of growth.
Ögren’s arrival follows several other senior appointments at Allwyn. In September, former Playtech executive Francesco Rodano became group head of responsible gaming. Rodano previously spent a decade at Playtech and nearly another decade at Italy’s gambling regulator, the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli.
Allwyn also changed the leadership of its UK operation in August, appointing Phil Walker as interim CEO of Allwyn UK from 7 September after Andria Vidler stepped down. The company said it had invested £450 million in transforming the UK National Lottery, including major upgrades to its website, app and underlying technology infrastructure.