Although Svenska Spel is still committed to creating a safe gambling environment, the company’s government-owned status has rekindled conflict of interest worries.
Svenska Spel, Sweden’s state-owned gambling operator, reported a 93.9% healthy revenue share in the fourth quarter of 2024, maintaining its strong Q3 performance.
The operator’s healthy revenue share increased by 1.5% over the course of the year, reflecting revenue from players who bet responsibly and are at low risk of developing gambling problems.
The operator remains committed to consumer safety
Svenska Spel measures healthy revenue using Playscan, an analytical tool for assessing gambling activity. Playscan categorizes clients based on their gambling habits and assesses the risk of problem gambling.
Revenue from lower-risk consumers is classified as healthy, providing the corporation with an important criterion for assessing the performance of its gambling harm prevention strategies.
Svenska Spel’s responsible gambling expert, Axel Lyckberg, stressed the company’s proactive strategy. He stated that the corporation monitors client gambling activity and contacts those who have crossed or are about to cross the line into dangerous gambling behavior.
President and CEO Anna Johnson emphasized Svenska Spel’s customer-centric strategy and recent accomplishments.
“Our responsible gambling initiatives are yielding excellent results. We will continue our efforts to promote sustainable gaming while decreasing revenue from consumers who play in ways that potentially lead to difficulties.”
Anna Johnson, Svenska Spel’s president and CEO
Looking ahead, Svenska Spel intends to implement additional consumer protection efforts in 2025 to enhance the proportion of healthy revenue and encourage responsible gaming habits.
These measures are especially important in light of a recent Spelinspektionen report that found an increase in gaming among young adults and kids, who are particularly vulnerable to gambling harm.
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Privatization could be on the cards
Despite its recent triumphs, Svenska Spel is facing increasing criticism for its state-owned position. Gustaf Hoffstedt, the head of the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS), recently sparked the debate by encouraging the government to sell its ownership in the company.
He cited fines of more than SEK 100 million ($9.19 million) levied by Spelinspektionen in 2024 and questioned Svenska Spel’s compliance record.
Hoffstedt argued that state ownership creates a conflict of interest, undermining public trust in the government’s function as an impartial regulator. He also stated that private operators could be equally well-equipped to maintain high ethical standards under a strong regulatory environment while avoiding the flaws of the current regime.
Sweden’s ruling coalition has voiced support for privatizing Svenska Spel. As the debate continues, Svenska Spel’s commitment to ethical gaming remains at the forefront.
Despite its flaws, the operator remains a trailblazer in promoting sustainable gaming methods and minimizing gambling’s negative impact on society.
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