Tomas Bäckman Hero Gaming CEO

When you’re at the helm of a business you’re passionate about, it’s easy to get attached to the products you’ve invested time and energy to create, even when they’re not performing as they should. However, despite the difficulty, viewing things from a non-emotional lens is often necessary for success.

Tomas Bäckman, CEO at Hero Gaming, touches on the importance of this in a recent interview with EGaming Review.

Since taking the reins in 2018, the CEO has steered the company, which has offices in Malta and Sweden, through the trials of COVID-19. At the outset of the pandemic, Mr Bäckman says that its online casino focus, led by flagship brand Boom Casino, helped cushion some of the financial impact felt by its sportsbook-first rivals.

Still, despite the fact that Boom Casino’s growth was actually helped by COVID-19 lockdowns, the CEO tells EGaming Review that its success was mainly down to the core strength of the product itself, emphasising, “I’ve been in the gaming industry for 10 years now and I don’t think I can recall such a strong development for any brand that I’ve seen, so that’s obviously impressive.”

As for products that don’t deliver as well, the CEO reveals “a growing cutthroat attitude” which includes not shying away from axing what doesn’t work. “If a product doesn’t perform over time, we close it down. You can’t get emotional with regards to your products and must be ready to kill your darlings,” he maintains.

And with the Nordic operator’s growing success, it certainly appears to make business sense.

Continue Reading

LeoVegas CEO and Co-Founder Gustaf Hagman hands over the reins

17 June 2025
by Sam Vassallo

Deputy CEO Mattias Wedar will succeed Gustaf Hagman

iGaming firms with longest operations in Malta also the largest – MGA

9 June 2025
by Adel Montanaro

By the end of 2023, the average operating period for Malta-licensed gaming operators was 7.53 years

Ramona Depares appointed Editor of Malta’s leading iGaming publication

5 June 2025
by iGamingCapital.mt

iGaming Capital will continue to shine a spotlight on the people, companies, innovations and trends that are shaping the future of iGaming both locally and globally

Neil Brookes appointed as Head of Product at LuckyStreak

28 May 2025
by Adel Montanaro

He brings over two decades of experience to LuckyStreak, with a background in sports betting and online gaming product development

See more