Svenska Spel names Enquist as new CEO of Casino Cosmopol
Sweden’s Svenska Spel has appointed Ola Enquist as chief executive of its Casino Cosmopol land-based casino business.
Reporting directly to Patrik Hofbauer, CEO and president of Svenska Spel, Enquist will form part of the group management team at Svenska Spel. He will join the business in June 2023.
Enquist has been chief operating office of First Camp since October 2019, prior to which he was senior director of retail operations at Circle K.
Earlier in his career, Enquist spent six-and-a-half years with Statoil, first serving as training managing, before going on to become head of company owned stores and retail sales operations, then senior director of retail operations.
Enquist also had spell as training manager at SHL Group and management consultant at Mindset AB, while prior to beginning his professional career, spent over eight years as an officer in the Swedish Armed Forces.
“I look forward to being involved in developing the experience for the guests of Casino Cosmopol and the customers within the Vegas business,” Enquist said. “The Svenska Spel Group signals a good culture and great team spirit, which I am happy to be a part of.
“I hope to be able to contribute with my experience in guest experience, but also focus on team and results. I am a committed and present leader, and therefore it feels extra fun that both Casino Cosmopol and Vegas are physical businesses where I will be able to be on site and meet guests and employees.”
Hofbauer added: “Ola’s experience from, among other things, the hospitality industry and retail will be valuable in developing our business within land-based casinos and ATMs. Ola also has solid leadership skills from leading positions in business, as well as from his time as a professional officer.”
The new appointment comes as Hofbauer issued a public call for a national debt register in Sweden. Hofbauer highlighted the relationship between gambling addiction and debt, arguing that the government action would be required in order to effectively manage the problem.
Hofbauer also argued the importance of recent efforts in mitigating the problem of match-fixing. In particular, the executive thanked the government for the “early Christmas present” that was amendments in the country’s Gambling Act that would allow for better cooperation between industry and government to combat match fixing.