Svenska Spel sends RG & match-fixing info to football clubs

Swedish former monopoly operator Svenska Spel has sent a digital education package about responsible gambling and match fixing to 2,328 football clubs in Sweden.

The aim of the package – developed with the Swedish Sports Confederation (Riksidrottsförbundet) – is to help sportspeople understand the risks that can surround gambling.

“Research shows that athletes, who often live close to the game, are a clear risk group for suffering from gambling problems,” Patrik Hofbauer, chief executive of Svenska Spel said. “Therefore, in our cooperation agreements with the Swedish Sports Federation, we have investments in just gaming responsibility. This is such an important investment.”

The education package includes risks of gambling addiction, so that sportspeople may understand if they or those close to them are starting to develop a gambling problem, and information about the risks of match-fixing.

Svenska Spel pointed out that match-fixing has become “extra relevant” lately, after it was revealed that betting on training matches between Swedish fourth and fifth-tier teams had been offered by some international bookmakers after almost all other global sports were suspended.

“Match fixing is one of the biggest threats to football, and unfortunately we have recently seen signs that criminal forces have wanted to influence the outcome of matches at a very low level,”  Johan Claesson, integrity officer at the Swedish Football Association, said.

“This is something that we always want to distance ourselves from, and our main sponsor Svenska Spel is now taking the initiative to quickly train thousands of football players in the lower divisions in the subject of match fixing, which we think is a very good initiative. With more knowledge it is easier to say no.”