Operator News
Sweden – Svenska Spel now odds on to be privatised following September 9 general election
By Phil - 14 June 2022
Sweden’s state owned gambling operator Svenska Spel will be privatised if either the current Social Democrat party retains power or if the Moderaterna Party is voted in on the general election of September 9.
Following recommendations made in the ‘Spelmarknadsutredningen – 2020 Gambling Market Inquiry’ headed by Social Democrat MP Anna-Lena Sörenson, the Moderaterna Party has confirmed its plans to split Svenska Spel into two separate bodies, one overseeing ‘monopoly gaming’ such as lottery and keno and one overseeing ‘competitive gaming’ covering gambling and sports betting.
The Moderaternaians said it would then ‘sell the part of Svenska Spel that operates in a competitive market’ stating that operating a gambling business was no longer a government requirement, adding that ‘governments should be limited due to abuse of power during the past term of office.’
With regards to placing Swedish gambling under the ‘adjusted moderation’ category for marketing, it added: “We see it as worrying that the government, through a so-called adjusted requirement for moderation in marketing, is trying to introduce a risk classification the back road. There is a risk of further eroding the regulated market if the players who have redeemed a licence pay Swedish tax and maintain a high level of consumer protection do not have the opportunity to market their products to a greater extent.
“In addition, we believe it is too early to implement changes in the field of marketing as practice has just been established, which with the Government’s proposal would no longer be valid,” it added.
Gustaf Hoffstedt, Secretary-General of BOS (Branschföreningen för Onlinespel) Sweden’s online gambling association, said: “With this statement from the Moderate party I welcome the fact that the two largest parties in opposition now have been so clear about their intention to privatize the competitive part of state operator Svenska Spel, if they will form or support a new government after the September general elections in Sweden. To run a commercial gambling business is not appropriate for a state.”
“A state shall set rules for commercial gambling companies and make sure the companies comply with these rules, rather than being an active player on the market itself,” Mr. Hoffstedt added.
