Norsk Tipping confirms new CEO amid intense scrutiny

Norsk Tipping has appointed Trond Bentestuen as its new chief executive officer, marking a key leadership transition for Norway’s state-owned gambling operator. Bentestuen will succeed Vegar Strand, who has served as interim CEO since the departure of Tonje Sagstuen earlier this year.

Bentestuen joins Norsk Tipping from outside the gambling sector. He is currently CEO of Norwegian home improvement retailer Maxbo and previously led discount grocery chain Rema 1000. While this represents his first role in gambling, much of his career has been spent managing large consumer-facing businesses operating under strict regulatory frameworks.

The appointment follows a challenging period for Norsk Tipping. The operator has faced regulatory attention and public criticism after a technical fault in its Eurojackpot system led to customers being incorrectly informed of major prize wins. The incident raised broader questions about systems, governance, and operational controls, placing pressure on senior management and the board.

Norsk Tipping chairwoman Sylvia Brustad said the board was confident Bentestuen’s experience and leadership qualities made him the right choice to guide the organisation forward. She pointed to the company’s ambitions around responsible gaming, digital customer experience, and its social mandate.

Commenting on his appointment, Bentestuen highlighted the complexity of leading a state-owned gambling monopoly. He stressed the importance of combining responsible gaming and addiction prevention with efficient operations that maximise returns to public causes. He also underlined the need for public trust in Norsk Tipping’s role.

Bentestuen will assume the role amid ongoing political debate around Norway’s monopoly model. His start date has yet to be confirmed, with operational stability, digital reliability, and governance expected to be early priorities.