Betsson Group Announces Departure of CTO Fredrik Ögren Following the 2026 World Cup

Fredrik Ögren, until now Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Betsson Group, has left his position, as confirmed by the company after the close of the 2026 World Cup. The group, which is listed in Stockholm and operates brands such as Betsafe and Rizk, has opted for Ryan Schembri — current Chief Product Officer (CPO) — as the interim head of technology while a permanent replacement is defined.

Fredrik Ögren: Career and Contributions at Betsson Group

Ögren initially joined Betsson Group in August 2019 as Director of Cloud and DevOps. In 2021, he took over the leadership of platforms and infrastructure and in July of that year was promoted to CTO, succeeding Peter Fray, who had until then combined the roles of CTO and CPO by decision of the board. During his tenure, Betsson experienced increases in both operational volume and share price, partly associated with positive results during the 2026 World Cup.

"The World Cup 2026 is a wrap, and so is my time with Betsson. It has been an amazing journey, growing both organisation, volumes and share price. While it feels tough to leave behind a record-breaking team, it feels good to now get reacquainted with my family back home." — Fredrik Ögren, LinkedIn

Before venturing into the gaming sector, Ögren developed a significant part of his career in Swedish media: he was Director of Infrastructure at Bonnier News from 2018 to 2019, and led DevOps teams at Expressen (2014-2019) and previously at Dagens Industri (2013-2014).

Ryan Schembri Takes Over as Interim Head of Technology

Following Ögren's departure, Ryan Schembri, who has held the CPO position since December 2023, temporarily takes over the technological leadership. Schembri returned to Betsson in January 2022 after a stint at Begame Group; he had previously worked for more than seven years for the operator after a time at Vodafone. Betsson reported that the transition is carried out according to its internal succession protocols and with no immediate impact on product and technology operations.

A spokesperson for Betsson Group stated:

"We can confirm that Fredrik Ögren no longer serves as Chief Technology Officer at Betsson Group. We are grateful for his contribution and wish him all the best in the future." — Spokesperson for Betsson Group

Corporate Evolution and Recent Results of the Group

The restructuring at the technological helm coincides with the closure of the acquisition of the B2C sector of Rhino Entertainment in Canada, a deal valued at €64.5 million (equivalent to £55.2 million). Betsson AB reported revenues of €310.2 million in the second quarter of 2026, a 2% increase year-on-year, driven mainly by earnings related to the 2026 World Cup and the integration of new business lines.

In the competitive landscape of gambling operators, Betsson Group maintains its positioning in regulated markets and seeks to strengthen technology and product divisions with experienced executives from both the gaming sector and adjacent industries. The company continues to bolster its international presence through acquisitions and organic growth in key jurisdictions such as Canada.

The Role of the Technical Transition and Challenges for the Technology Sector

The succession in the role of CTO is significant for operational continuity and the proper integration of technical infrastructures post-acquisition. Beyond Ögren's departure, the diversity of executive profiles — including experiences in digital media, sports betting, and cloud technology — shapes Betsson's strategic approach to tackle global competition and regulatory processes. The choice of Schembri as interim head aims to maintain the cadence of product launches and online gaming platform management during the transition.