Maintaining sports integrity at Svenska Spel state lottery

Online sports betting is very popular. What types of sports and betting does Svenska Spel offer?

We offer a wide range of sports and betting options. Among our most popular offerings are major football and ice hockey leagues. We also strive to stay highly relevant when it comes to Swedish sports. A core principle throughout our entire offering is a critical and responsible approach to what we offer. We never hesitate to remove a betting option if we believe its integrity could be questioned.

What is the situation with match fixing in Europe and specifically in Sweden, and how does it affect your lottery?

As we know, match fixing is a significant global issue affecting virtually every part of the world, including Europe. In Sweden, however, we've seen a very positive trend in recent years following a period with substantial problems, particularly in the lower divisions of football. For example, in 2024 there were only three suspected matches in Sweden.

I believe this improvement is largely due to our persistent efforts to combat match fixing, where Svenska Spel has played an important role in the public debate. Additionally, more stakeholders in society have come together to tackle the issue. Through our sponsorships, we cooperate closely with the sports sector – offering educational programs and funding roles focused on integrity – to prevent manipulation and raise awareness. Ultimately, it’s about protecting the integrity of sport.

What are some of the key challenges you face in combating these issues?

One challenge in the past has been the slow pace at which certain stakeholders organized themselves to combat match fixing. We’re seeing progress on that front now, which is very good news and incredibly important. It also took a long time for Sweden to join the Council of Europe’s Macolin Convention, but we’re finally there – thanks to our policymakers for taking this important step.

Another key challenge is keeping illegal operators off the gambling market. We know that a large share of the betting on manipulated matches occurs through unlicensed platforms. I’d also like to emphasize that we must not become complacent just because the numbers look good in Sweden right now. While that’s encouraging, we’re aware that some questionable actors still operate around sports, so it’s vital that we keep up the work.

How does ULIS support the regulated lottery and sports betting industry?

ULIS is a very important partner for us. Their monitoring of the global betting market is crucial in detecting anomalies that may indicate match manipulation. ULIS also brings expert knowledge that is invaluable to us and other stakeholders when investigating suspected cases of match fixing. I’d also like to commend ULIS for the steps they’ve taken in recent years, including the development of their new platform and various educational packages.

Why did your organization become a ULIS member?

We’ve been collaborating for a long time – dating back to when ULIS was known as ELMS. The partnership developed naturally through our membership in the European Lotteries (EL) and as the sports betting market grew, making anomaly monitoring a vital part of our operations.

How do you contribute to the ULIS network?

We make a real effort to be an active part of the ULIS network. This includes sharing our expertise in Swedish sports as well as participating in conferences and seminars where we present our work and know how. With our long-standing experience in this field, I truly believe we’re making a meaningful contribution.