Spelbranschens Riksorganisation (SPER), the Swedish Gaming Association, has named Maria Wennerberg Sedigh as its new CEO, starting March 30.
Sedigh will Jenny Nilzon, who has led SPER for the last five years. Sedigh is a former government deputy director, who oversaw budget coordination for the Swedish Ministries of Communications, Finance and Home Industries.
From 2015 to 2017, she served as inquiry secretary, providing guidance on the government’s gambling regulations prior to the re-launch of Sweden’s iGaming marketplace in 2019. She also served as a senior policy advisor for gambling inspectorate Spelinspektionen.
“We on the board are extremely happy that Maria will be the one to lead Sper further,” said Patrik Hofbauer, chairman of SPER and CEO of Svenska Spel. “She has a unique knowledge of the industry and I look forward to our collaboration.”
Sedigh will lead take the lead as the trade organization for the Swedish government to finalize its second phase reforms of Sweden’s online gambling marketplace post its 2019 relaunch. Swedish authorities have stated that reforms will be focused on further consumer safeguards, operator accountability and stricter advertising laws.
“I am happy to have gained the trust. I will continue to develop Sper’s work with self-regulation, consumer protection and industry confidence – as an important assignment that needs to be carried out.”
