Kristian Nylén
Kristian Nylén is a Swedish entrepreneur and a prominent figure in the global sports betting industry. He is the co-founder and former CEO of Kambi Group Plc, a B2B sportsbook supplier. Under his leadership, Kambi became one of the most successful companies in its sector, known for its innovative solutions and global expansion.
Bio
Education and Early Career
Kristian Nylén completed his undergraduate studies in Business Administration, with a focus on Mathematics and Statistics, at Karlstad University in Sweden. His academic background provided a solid foundation for his successful career in the business and technology sectors, particularly in the iGaming industry.
In 2000, Kristian began his career in the gaming world with Unibet (now Kindred Group) as an odds compiler. His skills quickly earned him a promotion, and by 2003, he became Head of Sportsbook Operations. In this role, he played a key part in Unibet’s rise as a leading European sports betting operator. Under his leadership, Unibet earned several “European Sports Betting Operator of the Year” awards in 2006, 2008, and 2009.
Founding Kambi Group
In 2010, Kristian co-founded Kambi Group alongside Anders Ström, with a vision to provide outsourced sportsbook solutions to operators worldwide. As CEO, Kristian Nylén steered the company from a promising startup into a significant player in the sports betting industry. He oversaw Kambi’s successful listing on Nasdaq First North Stockholm in 2014, marking a key milestone in the company’s growth trajectory.
Under Kristian’s leadership, Kambi expanded into emerging markets such as Latin America and North America, and made history as the first sportsbook provider to operate in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Kambi also secured strategic partnerships with major operators, including BetWarrior and Casino Magic, significantly broadening its global reach.
Moreover, during his tenure, Kambi acquired companies like Shape Games (€38.5 million) and Abios (SEK 150 million), enhancing its capabilities in mobile gaming and esports betting. Under his guidance, Kambi developed advanced proprietary sportsbook technologies, including risk management tools, customer profiling systems, and multi-channel distribution features, which have been instrumental in supporting some of the largest operators in the industry.
Legacy
In January 2024, Kristian stepped down as CEO of Kambi to spend more time with his family. He remains active in the company as a member of the Board of Directors, where he focuses on strategic decisions.
Kristian is recognized as a leading figure in the sports betting industry. His work at Unibet and Kambi helped shape the market, driving innovation and global expansion. With a career marked by major achievements, Kristian Nylén’s influence continues to guide the future of sports betting.