Swedish government proposes increasing SGA's resources to combat match-fixing

The Swedish government has proposed increasing the Swedish Gambling Authority’s (SGA) budget incrementally over the next three years. 

The new proposals would increase the regulator’s budget by SEK10.8m (£780,000) in 2024. In 2025, it will go up by SEK15.6m and by SEK18.6m in 2026.

The proposals have been put forward to strengthen the regulator’s work against match-fixing and illegal gambling. The extra funding aims to bring the SGA up to the requirements of the Council of Europe’s convention on the manipulation of results in sports, also known as the Macolin Convention.

The Swedish Financial Authority will also receive an increased grant of SEK4.5m to help strengthen its work and collaboration with the SGA to stop payments to and from illegal operators. 

This proposal will need agreement from both the government and the Sweden Democrats, the second largest party in the Riksdag, to be enacted. 

Camilla Rosenberg, director general of the SGA, said: “Countering illegal [gambling] and match-fixing is of the highest priority for a safe and secure gaming market for the consumer. 

“With even greater collaboration with the Financial Supervisory Authority, we can become sharper in supervision. I see the proposal for increased resources as very positive.”

Financial Markets Minister Niklas Wykman explained the importance of collaboration between the SGA and the Financial Supervisory Authority. 

Wykman commented: “There must be strong consumer protection in the gambling market. With this investment, Spelinspektionen can sharpen supervision. 

“In addition, cooperation with the Financial Supervisory Authority can open up new opportunities to block payment mediation to and from illegal actors, something that can play an important role in the work to combat criminal activity.”