Sweden’s Gambling Watchdog Receives Funding Boost

The Swedish gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, is set to receive increased funding to meet European obligations in countering match-fixing.

The government plans to raise Spelinspektionen’s (SGA) budget over the next three years. In 2024, it will receive SEK10.8m ($970K/€900K/£780K) in additional funding. This will be followed by SEK15.6m in 2025 and SEK18.6m in 2026.

This funding will ensure compliance with the Macolin Convention of the Council of Europe, which addresses the manipulation of sports results, the government stated.

The augmented budget will also aid in curbing illegal gambling activities. Plans have been revealed to enhance cooperation with the Finansinspektionen financial supervisory authority.

The government intends to propose an increase in Finansinspektionen’s allocation by SEK4.5m starting in 2024. This additional funding will strengthen the authority’s collaboration with SGA to block payments to illegal gambling operators.

These proposals stem from an agreement between the government and the Sweden Democrats.

Niklas Wykman, Sweden’s financial markets minister, emphasized the need for robust consumer protection in the gambling market. He stated that the investment will allow SGA to enhance its supervision and cooperation with the Financial Supervisory Authority, ultimately contributing to combatting criminal activity.

Camilla Rosenberg, SGA’s director-general, supported the three-year budget plan, highlighting that countering illegal gambling and match-fixing is a top priority for a safe and secure gaming market. She sees increased collaboration with the Financial Supervisory Authority as a positive step to improve supervision.

Under the Macolin Convention, signatory nations commit to preventing, detecting, and penalizing the national or transnational manipulation of sports competitions.

In April, Sweden’s major gambling firms advocated for a fee increase to assist the underfunded SGA in fulfilling its responsibilities. The Online Gaming Industry Association (BOS) supported generating additional revenue beyond the government’s pledged SEK2.4m. Proposals included raising fees for a five-year public lottery license to SEK3.995m.

In May, the government outlined plans to encourage closer collaboration between gambling and finance supervisory bodies.