Swedish Democrats Member Requests Divestment of Svenska Spel Sport & Casino

Swedish Democrat Jonas Andersson has publicly requested explanation from Minister of Finance Elisabeth Svetesson on her intentions to divest Svenska Spel Sport & Casino. Svenska Spel AB is a Swedish state-owned gambling firm with two major divisions that handle sports and classic number lotteries, as well as a casino network through its subsidiary, Casino Cosmopol.

Andersson contends that the state cannot play dual responsibilities in regulating and overseeing the gaming market while also being an active participant. For several years, the Sweden Democrats have advocated for the state to withdraw from the competitive gaming sector and divest the relevant piece of Svenska Spel.

Svenska Spel’s proceeds are currently transferred to the Swedish State Treasury. However, in 2019, a new regulation was enacted to abolish Svenska Spel’s monopoly and, for the first time, open the industry to commercial operators.

The Swedish Trade Association for Online gaming (BOS) Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt agrees that the state should not participate as a commercial actor in the competitive gaming market. Hoffstedt expects that this strategy will help to successfully privatise Svenska Spel Sport & Casino within the remaining three years of the current government’s tenure.

Swedish authorities have lately investigated Svenska Spel for breaking advertising regulations. Furthermore, the special Social Democrat lottery, A-Lotterierna, which has been in existence since 1947, has been heavily criticised in the local media.

Andersson enquired in his official request whether Minister of Finance Elisabeth Svantesson planned to take any steps to dispose Svenska Spel AB’s competitive part.