Per Eriksson, who has served as chief executive officer at gaming technology giant NetEnt since 2012, has left his position with immediate effect as the company moved swiftly to address faltering revenues.

In a statement, the NetEnt board said it had decided to replace the group’s CEO “in order to increase focus on long-term growth for the company.”

The recruitment process to replace Eriksson will commence immediately, the company said. Therese Hillman has been appointed acting CEO, while continuing in her role as chief financial officer.

The statement continued: “The board of NetEnt has decided that Per Eriksson is to step down as president and CEO with immediate effect. The recruitment process will be initiated immediately, and a new CEO will be presented as soon as possible.”

“…the overall performance has not been as it should”

NetEnt’s chairman of the board, Vigo Carlund, said: ”NetEnt has developed well over many years and several parts of the business are still developing well, for example in regulated markets, but the overall performance of the group has not been as it should.

“The board believes that NetEnt needs a new driving force to reverse the trend and increase the focus on growth. The value creation potential in NetEnt remains significant.

“The online gaming market has structural growth driven by the migration from offline to online gaming. The company has a solid balance sheet and a strong brand name in its segment of the market. The board would also like to extend its gratitude to Per Eriksson for his time as CEO for NetEnt.”