Avanti Studios has announced the appointment of Jonas Ericson as the supplier’s new CFO as the startup continues to bolster its top team following its launch earlier this year.
Ericson joins the games studio’s C-suite after spending six years at payment service provider Klarna in various roles between 2020 and 2026.
Initially joining as a senior account manager in January 2020, he eventually held the role of group competence lead from July 2020 onwards.
He went on to serve as Klarna’s global head of finance from May 2024.
His role consisted of “helping the brand enter new global markets, implementing new FinTech products, overseeing the strategic and operational development of accounting competence as well as leading multiple teams within the finance function”.
Prior to joining Klarna, Ericson had previous C-suite experience from his position of CFO at clothing firm Eytys from February 2017 to January 2020.
Ericson also worked for production company The Chimney Pot between 2013 and 2017, acting as group business controller from 2015 to 2017.
In his role with Avanti Studios, Ericson will be tasked with heading up the supplier’s financial strategy, operations and analysis, investment and risk management “while ensuring the company remains profitable and compliant”.
His appointment represents Avanti Studios’ latest senior hire, with Steven Tabone joining as commercial director last month.
The company successfully secured €10m seed funding back in June in preparation for its launch in the Spanish market.
Founded by former LeoVegas Group CEO Gustaf Hagman and industry veteran Jonas Delin, Avanti Studios has launched a series of AI-powered live dealer games, fronted by a flagship blackjack title.
Avanti Studios is just one of a handful of suppliers moving into the AI deal space, including Sentient Studios, which was borne out of crypto casino BetHog, founded by FanDuel founder Nigel Eccles.
Eccles has previously told EGR he expects AI dealer to account for 80% of the live casino market. Sentient Studios closed a $10m Series A in April, while BetHog was closed in July.
Octane Studios has launched a games studio with “photorealistic dealers” while Playtech announced this week it had also taken steps into the growing sector.
The London-listed firm has pushed Virtual Host into the public domain after beta testing during the summer.
Playtech’s AI-powered hosts currently support English, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese languages, with the host able to be “tailored in appearance, language and presentation style”.
William Hill is live with the Virtual Host Quantum Roulette title, with the game synopsis reading: “Now with a Live AI Host ‘Sophie’, this live online casino game from Playtech means you will get a casino-like experience from the comfort of your own home”.
Playtech said: “Representing the next generation of innovation within Playtech Live, Virtual Host expands the possibilities of live entertainment, creating new opportunities for operators and an even broader entertainment ecosystem for players.”
Evolution, the live casino giant, has yet to publicly reveal AI-powered dealers. Chief product officer Todd Haushalter told NEXT.iothat AI dealers could be “a catastrophic failure for all kinds of reasons”.
On his appointment, Ericson said: “Making the switch from an established company like Klarna to an exciting startup is always a big decision, but when I spoke to Gustaf and Jonas, I was completely sold on their vision.
“No one in the live casino space is even attempting the ideas that Avanti Studios has already implemented, and I’m looking forward to using this position to grow the brand’s profitability and global impact as CFO.”
Hagman added: “Avanti Studios is delighted to welcome Jonas Ericson as its CFO in a move that will further strengthen our C-level team at a crucial stage of development for the company.
“Jonas joins our organisation having already accrued a wealth of experience in new product implementation, strategic and operational development and senior management, making him the ideal fit to build our brand going forward.”
Arnold Ash is EGR’s executive recruitment partner. It supports ambitious organisations to identify and attract industry leading executive talent. Find out more here.
The post Avanti Studios appoints former Klarna finance head as new CFO first appeared on EGR Intel.
Jonas Ericson joins the AI live dealer supplier’s C-suite while Playtech announces its own version of tech following beta testing period over the summer
The post Avanti Studios appoints former Klarna finance head as new CFO first appeared on EGR Intel.