Andreas Reimblad, Director of Sportsbook at Kindred Group, has announced his resignation after more than a decade with the company. Reimblad, who took on his current role in February 2021, revealed his decision to step down in a LinkedIn post, citing a new opportunity ahead.
Reimblad joined Kindred in June 2012 as Development Manager of Sportsbooks. Over the years, he progressed through various positions, including Head of Sportsbook Development and Head of Sportsbook Product Management and Operations. Before joining Kindred, he worked briefly as Product Manager for Betting and Bingo at IGT and held several roles at Unitbet, including a stint as Head of Bingo.
Reimblad stated: “I will shortly be leaving Kindred for a new and exciting opportunity around the corner. I’ve had the opportunity to live and work in Malta, the UK, and Sweden. I’ve visited so many countries across the globe, meeting so many talented and great people who also have become life-long friends.”
“I am immensely proud to have been part of, and led, such an amazing team, especially over the last couple of years. Firstly, we managed to do what a lot of people didn’t believe we could do – develop a proprietary sportsbook platform. At the same time, we grew the sportsbook team to over 100 talented individuals worldwide. While I won’t see the full roll-out, it was a proud moment when KSP was launched in production earlier this year.”
Reimblad’s departure comes amid times of change at Kindred. The company announced plans to exit the North American market by the end of Q2 2024 as part of a strategic review, which also includes cutting 300 jobs. Additionally, Nils Andén was named permanent CEO in February following Henrik Tjärnström’s resignation last May.
Kindred is also the subject of an acquisition effort by French lottery and gaming giant La Française des Jeux (FDJ). FDJ has submitted a SEK 27.96 billion ($2.68 billion) offer for all outstanding shares of Kindred. This acquisition would create Europe’s second-largest operator, positioning the combined entity as a “European gaming champion” with enhanced revenue and earnings growth, says FDJ.
The acceptance period for FDJ’s offer, which began with the publication of the public tender offer document in February, will run through November 19. Kindred’s board has unanimously recommended that shareholders accept the offer.
In other developments, Kindred recently confirmed that a historic fine for its Spooniker subsidiary in Sweden has been reduced for the second time. Initially set at SEK100 million ($9.62 million) in March 2020 for offering unauthorized bonuses and lotteries, the fine was halved to SEK50 million ($4.81 million) in July 2021 by the Administrative Court in Linköping. The Administrative Court of Appeal in Jönköping has now further reduced the fine to SEK30 million ($2.89 million).