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Swedish Gambling Operator Ups the Ante for Responsible Gambling Support
By Shane Addinall Sep 03, 2022 IndustryThe government-owned operator in Sweden announced plans to contribute a substantial amount to research projects on compulsive gambling. With general elections a week away, Svenska Spel will soon know how much change the next few years hold.Sweden’s leading gambling operator, Svenska Spel, announced its plans to help fund research initiatives for the country’s gambling industry. The lottery and gaming operator has SEK42 million set aside for this cause over the next five years. Although half of the funds will help research grants, the donation will also aid research activities through its current partnership with a local university.
The news comes ahead of the country’s upcoming national election and one of the leading parties promised an overhaul of the gambling sector if they take the lead. Sweden’s Moderate Party has approval from Riksdag to split Svenska Spel into two divisions and privatise one. The Swedish trade association, BOS, lauded the news of possible divestment.
Understanding Gambling Harms Better
Svenska Spel is no stranger to gambling harm donations, and the company has contributed SEK60 million to responsible gambling causes since 2010. Through their independent Research Council, the operator not only provides funds for important studies on compulsive gambling but also provides priceless insights about harms linked to it and how the industry can improve.
Their latest pledge to make gambling safer and better for Swedish punters continues their partnership with the country’s public tertiary facility, Lund University. Along with the SEK8.5 million spent on research each year, Svenska Spel commits to a further SEK25 million toward research grants, spread over the next five years. Patrik Hofbauer, Svenska Spel president, said:
“The Research Council has been a driving force and a central part in establishing the research field around gambling problems in Sweden. The long-term investment in research on gambling contributes to knowledge of effective methods for preventing and treating gambling addiction.”
The financial commitment of SEK42 million continues through 2027. Hofbauer and Lund’s faculty hopes the continued studies will strengthen early detection and effective treatment of gambling addiction. The operator took the bold move earlier this year to impose player limits, including age-related spending caps. Hofbauer explains that the right steps to help at-risk gamblers drive their research.
Split, Divest, Liberalise
Following the launch of Sweden’s regulated market, Svenska Spel remained a government-owned gambling operator and offers lottery, bingo, sports betting, and casino gambling to Swedes. In the run-up to the country’s national elections, the Moderaterna (Moderate) Party submitted a provisional mandate to split and divest Svenska Spel.
Sources cite the approval of the mandate by the Riksdag, Sweden’s highest decision-making assembly. Should the Moderate party win the upcoming election scheduled for 11 September, change is on the horizon for Svenska Spel and possibly the rest of the gambling industry.
The Moderate Party plans to split and divest the government-owned gambling operator as the party’s members believe there is a conflict of interest if a country regulates gambling and owns a gambling business. If they come into power, they plan to split the state-owned gambling group in two by allowing for a monopoly gaming business which covers lottery and bingo and privatising the casino and sports betting divisions.
Other changes proposed in the mandate included a relaxed approach to gambling advertising to allow licensed operators exposure. Purportedly, Riksdag did not support this point, but BOS backs all points proposed by the Moderates.
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