Swedish Gambling Monopoly Criticised

Published: Saturday, May 10, 2008 Online-Casinos.com

SWEDISH MONOPOLY CRITICISED

Political party urges abolition of Svenske Spel monopoly in favour of cultural support

With a new and more 'responsible gambling' oriented approach to business leading to management resignations this week (see previous Online-Casinos.com/InfoPowa reports) the Swedish state-owned gambling monopoly Svenske Spel faced new criticism from the Moderate Party's Culture Committee next week.

The English language newspaper The Local.se reports that the committee is urging government to abandon its monopoly in gambling policy in favour of "new forms of cultural support," using as an example sponsorship of athletics, and suggesting that the government accept cultural sponsorships as tax-deductible marketing expenses.

"By ditching Svenska Spel's monopoly and charging a [license] fee to both Swedish and foreign companies to participate in Sweden's gaming market, the state could raise enough revenue to finance both athletics and culture," opines the committee, pointing out that the Swedish Inheritance Fund passes out SEK 300 to SEK400 million ($50 to 66 million) every year.

"More of these funds ought to be directed toward cultural purposes benefiting children, young people, and people with disabilities," the committee proposes.

The committee has released pre-presentation copies of its 'Culture 3.0' paper which is to be presented in the Riksdag on Monday and includes proposals for free library book loans, maintaining Sveriges Radio and TV as two separate entities, and better conditions for private local radio.