Norwegian state-owned gaming operator Norsk Tipping has announced the departure of chief technology officer Helge Løken.
Løken is stepping down from his role as CTO after a tumultuous year for Norway’s state-owned gaming operator, during which the company has been hit with numerous multi-million krona fines for errors in its operations.
The company was fined NOK36 million for self-exclusion failures in February, followed by a NOK10 million fine in September for failings in the Eurojackpot draw. In October, Norsk Tipping was fined NOK25 million for a serious error in its Lotto draw.
Norsk Tipping said that Løken and the company have mutually agreed to part ways due to the changing needs of its technical operations.
“Helge has contributed valuable expertise and leadership during a time that has been both challenging and crucial for the company,” said Norsk Tipping’s acting chief executive, Vegar Strand.
Løken departure follows the resignation of chief executive Tonje Sagstuen in June following an error that saw thousands of players receive notifications that they had won significantly higher amounts than the actual prizes awarded in the Eurojackpot lottery game.
“When I was hired, the mandate was to focus on the company’s development capabilities,” said Løken. “We all know that the past year has made it necessary to give technical operations a higher priority. I understand that the company has other needs now. Therefore, it is right for me to step aside.”
A review of Norsk Tipping’s internal control systems last month by PwC found a cultural shift toward speed and innovation over maintenance and oversight.
The review identified a number of failings, including too much emphasis on innovation and product development at the expense of quality and control, unclear leadership and division of responsibility, and insufficient supervision of external suppliers.