Svenska Spel supports a sports organization.
The Swedish gambling operator Svenska Spel is extending its partnership with the Swedish Sports Association, committing to provide funding worth roughly €1.6 million. This funding is intended to support both popular and elite sports in the country.
This new agreement sets the path for continued cooperation between Svenska Spel and the sports association, which is a continuation of their "Project Forward" initiative. The new partnership goes into effect on June 1st and will see Svenska Spel allocate funds to 62 specialized sports organizations. These funds will support various projects, including the so-called "Future Fund." All specialized sports associations in Sweden can access this fund, which aims to increase access to sports for people of all ages.
Furthermore, the funding will also be utilized to support the "elite sports scholarship," which provides SEK 50,000 (approximately €5,000) to 75 athletes per year. Besides, the agreement also includes provisions to back initiatives against match-fixing and betting manipulation. Digital education initiatives and an anonymous reporting service are also on the cards.
Svenska Spel CEO Patrik Hofbauer commented about the partnership extension, "We want to ensure the future of Swedish sport and work with the Swedish Sports Confederation on strengthening sport in the country. Our partnership shows that we are providing essential resources to Swedish sport while at the same time looking at a more long-term plan to invest in the growth of sport in the country."
RF Secretary General Stefan Bergh weighed in on the agreement, saying, "This cooperation with Svenska Spel and the financial support for sport enables us to reach more people, support elite athletes in education, counter match-fixing, and create the conditions for associations and unions to continue developing their activities."
In the backdrop of the coronavirus crisis, Svenska Spel made an initial payment of approximately €1.8 million to various grassroots sports projects last month. The swift response was made to support the sports sector that may experience a severe downturn due to the crisis. Svenska Spel Believes that many grassroots sports projects across Sweden are in jeopardy, with many municipal sports associations expecting significant losses in income due to the pandemic. Mr. Hofbauer added, "The situation is going to become even more challenging during the current crisis. It's evident that many associations are feeling the pinch, none more so than those focused on youth sports."
In 2019, Svenska Spel had already contributed over €4.7 million to the Swedish Sports Confederation. This money primarily went towards soccer, with some funds also given to ice hockey and handball teams. The partnership between Svenska Spel and the sports association has been ongoing for over seven years.
A digital training program against match-fixing and irresponsible gambling was also launched in April by Svenska Spel. This program was sent out to over 2,300 soccer clubs and aims to provide an understanding of the risks of these malpractices. Johan Claesson, the Swedish Football Association's integrity officer, confirms the significance of such programs. He points out that criminal organizations are attempting to manipulate match results, particularly in the lower leagues. The only way to combat these activities is through education.
Kajsa Nylander, Sustainability Manager at Svenska Spel, also shared her thoughts about the need for comprehensive education on this subject. She believes it is essential to understand the risks involved, "Considering the high level of public trust in the Swedish gambling industry, it's imperative for us to be well-informed on this issue. This is essential for changing the behavior of players and athletes."
Recently, the issue of match-fixing has gained more attention due to the extended absence of live sports events as a result of the pandemic. Some international betting companies started offering odds on potential training matches in the fourth and fifth leagues. These initiatives have raised concerns over the erosion of trust in the gambling industry. Svenska Spel spoke out strongly against this practice.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
