Sweden appoints match-fixing coordinator for re-regulation

Swedish regulator Lotteriinspektionen has named Katarina Abrahamsson as its first match-fixing coordinator and also set out various new responsible gambling requirements as part of the re-regulation of the national market.

Abrahamsson (pictured), who took office this week, has been working as a lawyer for the regulator, having previously spent time as a coordinator for Swedish energy watchdog Energimarknadsinspektionen.

In her new role, Abrahamsson will lead a new council tasked with leading the organisation’s efforts to clamp down on match-fixing across all sports.

The match-fixing council will feature representatives from the public prosecutor, the police and both the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Social Affairs. Other individuals due to sit on the council include representatives for sporting bodies and trade organisations that represent licence-holders in Sweden.

Patrik Gustavsson, operations manager for the regulator, said: “Katarina has extensive experience from previously coordinating issues between authorities and organisations, but also from working both nationally and internationally with regulation and coordination issues.

“Through new regulations introduced in the Gaming Act, the Lotteriinspektionen hopes that police and prosecutors will now have better opportunities to claim manipulation of events with regard to game results.”

Confirmation of the new role and council comes as Sweden prepares to launch its re-regulated market on January 1. A number of gaming operators have applied for licences in the country, but the regulator this month warned some may be delayed due to errors made by operators in application documents.

Companies that obtain licences will have to adhere to a host of new rules and regulations, including responsible gambling requirements set out this week by the Lotteriinspektionen.

These include licensed operators featuring certain logos on their platforms, with links through to relevant tools and resources. Such services will include a self-test where punters can see if they are playing too much, as well as the option to limit deposits and logon time, and exclude themselves from playing.

The Lotteriinspektionen has said that these logos must be placed at the top of all websites and relevant mobile applications, as well as on ATM terminals inside casinos.

Image: Lotteriinspektionen