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BOS op-ed: “Svenska Spel’s betting company must be sold by the state”
Dagens Nyheter – Sweden’s largest morning paper – today published an op-ed signed Gustaf Hoffstedt, Secretary General of The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling. Hoffstedt is urging the government to sell the betting and online casino part of the governmental gambling operator Svenska Spel.
We are pleased to bring you the English version of the editorial which you can read in full below:
Sell Svenska Spel
Since 2019, Sweden has had a licensing system for gambling companies. Anyone who wants to operate in the Swedish gambling market must have a state license. As of 2019, there are two types of gambling markets; partly a monopoly that mainly offers lotteries, for example, the popular Trisslotten. In this market, private profit–making gambling companies are not allowed to operate. Partly a commercial competitive gambling market that mainly offers online casinos and betting, for example betting on horses and football. In this market, private commercial gambling companies can apply for and be awarded a license to operate in the Swedish gambling market.
Through Svenska Spel, the state is active in both of these markets, but now the time has come to divest Svenska Spel Sport & Casino, i.e. the part of the company that is active in the commercial, competitive gambling market.
Around 70 gambling companies are fighting for market share in the part of the gambling market that is open to competition and offers online casinos as well as betting on horses, football, other sports, and even who will win the next parliamentary election or Schlagerfestivalen. One of these companies is state–owned: Svenska Spel. It is difficult to find arguments for continued government commercial involvement in that market.
Normally, the state usually engages in business activities when the market itself has failed, above all in terms of competition. There may be too few players in a market and the few that exist may have too dominant a position for competition to function. Then the state steps in as a commercial actor with the ambition of countering that market failure. However, no one who has followed developments in the Swedish gambling market can claim that there is too little competition between the 70 companies that operate in competitive gambling. Competition is fierce and would remain so even in the absence of the state as a commercial casino operator and bookmaker in betting.
Another argument for conducting state–owned commercial gambling activities could be a desire to act as an example for all other companies on the market, for example in not producing as much gambling advertising as the competitors. Anyone who has followed Svenska Spel’s marketing since the reregulation knows, however, that the company is one of Sweden’s largest advertisers in all categories, i.e. including gambling but also other large advertising buyers such as grocers and car manufacturers. Svenska Spel’s extensive advertising purchases rather force the private gambling companies to make larger advertising purchases on their part than would otherwise have been the case.
“A state–owned gambling company that operates in direct competition with others is, in principle, like any other gambling company,” says the government investigation from 2017, which was the basis for the Swedish reregulation of the gambling market. That’s exactly how it is; Svenska Spel Sport & Casino has exactly the same license as other gambling companies. They follow exactly the same responsible gambling regulations, and they do it no better or worse than their competitors. They pay exactly the same gambling tax as all other gambling companies. Therefore, the logical consequence already became apparent to the Gambling License Investigation six years ago: “The conclusion is, according to the investigation, that the best alternative would be to divest the competition part.” [A reregulated gaming market, SOU 2017:30, p. 34]
So the only remaining question is why hasn’t the company been sold yet?
Perhaps an argument for keeping the company under state auspices could be its return to the state. But the idea is of course not for the company to be liquidated, but on the contrary to be sold to the highest bidder and then continue to be run, albeit privately. With the same requirement to pay gambling tax.
Not entirely surprisingly, there is a classic division here between political parties on the right and the left. Parties on the left view positively that the state owns companies and runs businesses, while parties on the right do not. This is also the case in this matter, and before the reregulation, the center-right parties had to waive stricter demands for the divestment of Svenska Spel Sport & Casino in order for the Social Democrat–led government to agree to introduce the gambling license system we have today.
Now that time is over and we have a new government, which together with the Sweden Democrats forms a majority in the Riksdag. The moderates have long advocated a divestment of Svenska Spel Sport & Casino, as have the Sweden Democrats. The voters who have given the center-right parties the power to rule Sweden have very reasonable expectations that the government will now move from words to action.
This is really nothing new for a center-right government. The last time Sweden had such a government, it concluded that the fact that the Swedish state had then become one of the world’s largest producers of alcohol was not in line with the government’s idea of what a state should do. Thus Vin & Sprit AB was sold in 2008, with the Absolut brand, for 55 billion kronor to France’s Pernod Ricard, which still runs the business for the benefit of Scanian grain farmers, among others.
It is now high time that our own contemporary anomaly, the state’s role as a casino operator and bookmaker, found an end. And unlike the long–awaited introduction of gambling licenses, which took place at the initiative of the Social Democrats, it would be desirable for this to happen during a center-right wing government in power. What else should it have the power for, if not to implement what it said in opposition it wanted to do?
Gustaf Hoffstedt
Secretary General, The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling
[Gustaf Hoffstedt is among the speakers of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit which will be held between 29-30 March 2023. More details about the summit can be found here.]
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Sports marketing consultancy Strive Sponsorship has brokered a new multi-year partnership between SBK, the sportsbook app from Smarkets, and Bradford City AFC, newly promoted to EFL League One. The collaboration aims to deepen fan engagement and drive measurable brand impact for SBK through content innovation and strategic alignment.
The deal positions SBK as one of Bradford City’s main partners and official betting sponsor. The partnership’s centrepiece is the launch of a new club podcast, designed to give fans exclusive behind-the-scenes access, nostalgic stories, and in-depth interviews with past and present figures from the club.
The tie-up follows an insight-led strategic review of the English football ecosystem conducted by Strive on SBK’s behalf. This review identified rights holders whose brand values, audience profile, and commercial proposition aligned with SBK’s mission to grow awareness and salience in a crowded betting market.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure supporting long-term client SBK throughout this process, said Malph Minns, Managing Director at Strive.
“They’ve really bought into the data-led, insight-driven methodology we’ve developed to guide partnerships that aren’t just visible—but valuable.
“The City team have been incredibly collaborative, and I’m excited to see the partnership come to life—especially with the podcast bringing fans closer to the club’s story.”
The deal showcases how Strive blends market intelligence, rights negotiation, and fan-focused activations to deliver partnerships that serve both brand objectives and supporter experience. For SBK, the podcast provides a powerful content platform to deliver long-term brand affinity, while Bradford City AFC benefits from a new media channel to build deeper connections with its loyal fanbase.
Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, said: “Strive undertook a data-led strategic review of English football for us over the summer, identifying opportunities that fit within a clear strategy to help us build brand awareness and brand salience.
“They also led on contract negotiations, securing us the rights we need to deliver value to the business.
“As a result of that work, we are thrilled SBK will be partnering with Bradford City AFC. Together, we will be bringing fans closer to the action and backing the Bantams every step of the way in what will be a really exciting season in Sky Bet League One.”
Davide Longo, Chief Commercial Officer at Bradford City AFC, added: “We are incredibly pleased to welcome SBK on board as the club’s official betting partner and will look forward to working closely with them over the next two seasons.
“The introduction of a Bradford City podcast will help bring supporters closer to their club, hearing stories from former players and other guests each month.
“Working with Strive has been an absolute pleasure. They are an incredibly thorough and professional outfit who are diligent in approach and work with a smile.”
The post STRIVE SECURES SBK X BRADFORD CITY DEAL TO DRIVE FAN-FOCUSED GROWTH appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
B2B games provider Push Gaming returns to the colony with Wild Swarm Triple Hive, blending a fan-favourite setting with the high-engagement 3 Pots system.
Wild Swarm Triple Hive builds on the success of 3 Magic Pots, offering the same core mechanic adapted to the world of Push’s beloved bees. The game increases volatility and depth, providing a richer experience for players who enjoy collecting mechanics and multi-stage bonuses.
A standout addition is the new chest feature. Replacing the traditional pick mechanic, it introduces the tombola wheel, which offers players a single spin for jackpots, bonus rounds, wild reels, free spins, and more, creating suspenseful moments and the chance for sudden rewards.
The game has been designed to balance familiarity with innovation, using well-loved mechanics and enhancing them with new formats and increased intensity. Triple Hive maintains the whimsical spirit of the Wild Swarm series while exploring new territory.
Ihor Lozynskyi, Senior Game Producer at Push Gaming, said: “Triple Hive focuses on amplifying what players already love and increasing the thrill. The 3 Pots system has proven highly effective at boosting engagement, and integrating it into the Wild Swarm universe allowed us to expand it in a way that feels both natural and exciting.
“With the incorporation of the tombola wheel and a more volatile setup, we’ve managed to retain the original’s charm while providing players with something that feels entirely new.”
The post Push Gaming brings the buzz back in Wild Swarm Triple Hive appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Collaboration to integrate FairPlay’s AI and betting technology to deliver readers a richer engagement experience and enhanced access to betting opportunities
FairPlay Sports Media, the fan and AI-powered global sports media network, has announced a landmark strategic technology partnership with The Sporting News, one of the world’s most iconic sports publishers, to deliver richer, AI-powered analysis and betting opportunities across its global markets.
The deal will see FairPlay deploy its advanced BetTech and monetisation capabilities, including real-time odds, offers, and bet builder comparison product across key The Sporting News global markets, including the UK, Spain, Brazil, and Mexico, while also providing strategic direction for its digital betting initiatives.
FairPlay will work directly with The Sporting News teams to operate at the core of its broader betting approach, cultivating global operator relationships, and ultimately, further monetise its vast global platform. The publisher will continue to own content generation and organic performance services, while leveraging AI-powered technology to drive engagement.
Stuart Simms, Group CEO at FairPlay Sports Media, said: “The Sporting News has developed a passionate, engaged audience of global sports fans over decades of producing first-class insight and analysis. This collaboration will not only deliver best-in-class betting tech, but we will also provide our expertise in building out varied and brand new betting-associated revenue streams.
“By integrating the best of our AI-powered predictive sports data, which levels the playing field for sports fans and bettors, as well as a broad managed service of innovative betting products, we’re looking forward to deepening the relationship between The Sporting News and its loyal readers, while giving sports fans smarter tools to maximise their betting activities and enjoyment.”
Martyn Jones, co-CEO at The Sporting News, added: “We’re fast becoming one the biggest and most influential independent sports sites in the world and are well positioned for growth as we head into the start of the football, NFL, and NBA seasons, while looking forward to a huge 2026 World Cup. This is an exciting partnership with FairPlay, that will provide a deeper layer of insight and context for our audience.
“Along with the integration of revenue-driving technology, we’re looking forward to establishing a long-term relationship that will position The Sporting News as the go-to resource for both sports news and betting opportunities.”
The post FairPlay Sports Media Forges Strategic Partnership with The Sporting News appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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