Four questions for Margareta Winberg, Chairman

(Four questions for the Chairman is not a part of the audited Director's Report.)

How would you sum up your third year as Chairman of Svenska Spel?

"It’s been a challenging year. We’re now in the midst of the process of appointing a new CEO, which involves great deal of work for the Board. We expect to have completed this task in time for the Annual General Meeting. During the year, we’ve also had to devote time to the reorganisation of Svenska Spel and to the efficiency enhancement mandate presented by the owner."

How have the changes during the year affected the Company?

"I feel that many at Svenska Spel have had a few things to ponder over: firstly, because they were suddenly left without a CEO and, secondly, being faced by the Board’s requirements for the efficiency-enhancement of operations. Moving from a situation of supplementing resources to one that involves cut-backs and savings makes a tremendous change, which, of course, marks the atmosphere in the Company. However, this is a reality with which we will have to learn to live."

Is there still a future for a State-owned gaming company?

"Absolutely! It is crucial that activities that entail some form of social risk are owned by the State. We have two objectives that we must reconcile – responsibility and profitability – and only a State-controlled company can manage that balance. Not having to maximise profit is a prerequisite for being able to invest resources in our responsibility mandate. I also believe that people are being increasingly involved in these issues and feel that a company that takes responsibility is a sound company. So there definitely is a future!"

What are the immediate challenges and possibilities for Svenska Spel?

"Our continuous challenge is to balance responsibility and profit in a credible manner. But an equally important challenge is the possibility that we will not receive the necessary licences to develop new gaming forms. Since we’re losing market share, managing our current games does not suffice. In this respect, I hope the Government is a little more daring and permits us to develop fun games that appeal to many people. This is where we see possibilities. The opportunity to apply new concepts would mean a great deal for our customers, but also for job satisfaction and morale throughout Svenska Spel, so this is really something that I’m hoping for as we progress through 2011"