Svenksa Spel Foots SEK 20 Million Youth Sports Bill

Svenska Spel has played a pivotal role in supporting Sweden’s youth sports initiatives through the ongoing Gräsroten project for the last few years. Earlier this year they tackled such issues as the danger of athletes falling foul to problem gambling, the digital education program was shared with the clubs who make up part of the aforementioned grassroots project.

Field of Dreams

Svenska Spel will make SEK 20 million (€1.8 million) available in May 2020 to ensure that the participating clubs have the means to keep youth sports initiatives functioning during a time where many “non-essential” services are facing a lack of funding.

Patrik Hofbauer, President and CEO, Svenska Spel said:

“Payment is usually made in November, but as a result of the Corona pandemic, we now choose to make an advance payment. This means that 3,600 associations around the country can share SEK 20 million already this spring. The payment will be made in just a few weeks, May 5-6.”

While this cash injection will not solve the financial needs of the country’s sports and development programs it will allow them to continue to serve as a safe place for young children and youth to stay healthy and develop their talents.

 Support the Sports

This investment by Svenska Spel in Sweden’s youth sports programs is not a flash in the pan, nor a sudden sizable increase based on recent events.

Over the last seven years, they have invested just shy of SEK 400 million (€36.7 million) in annual payouts. This has been a substantial support structure for the regions nearly 3600 sports clubs and the young talent they nurture.