How a lottery scandal could reshape Sweden’s power balance
A scandal involving lottery, telemarketing, and a SEK 3 million (approximately €260,000) fine is shaking the very core of Swedish politics. The fine was issued by Spelinspektionen, Sweden’s Gambling Authority, after finding that the Social Democrats’ lottery, Kombispel, broke the law — specifically in how it handled its telemarketing operations.
Just days before the party congress, where Magdalena Andersson (pictured above) is expected to be re-elected as party leader of the Social Democrats, the Moderates are turning up the heat. Their party secretary, Karin Enström, is now calling for the resignation of both Andersson and her party secretary, Tobias Baudin.
“This is serious. Nothing like this has happened before in Swedish politics. A political party fined three million kronor — you can’t just shrug it off. They have to take responsibility,” Enström told Ekot.
Andersson stands her ground
Andersson isn’t backing down. Speaking during the party congress, she dismissed the Moderates’ demand for her resignation as political theatre.
“Of course, the Moderates dream of me stepping down,” she told Expressen, before pointing out that the party took swift action once the problems came to light — firing the CEO, dismissing the entire board, and terminating the contract with the telemarketing firm.
She also acknowledged the seriousness of the situation in an earlier interview: “It’s not good. We’re a values-driven party, and all our operations should reflect those values. That didn’t happen in this case,” she said on Nyhetsmorgon.
A growing problem for charitable lotteries?
The Social Democrats aren’t alone in the firing line. This week, Spelinspektionen also fined the Breast Cancer Association and the Prostate Cancer Association for similar problems tied to lottery telemarketing. The regulator concluded that the organisations failed to properly oversee their gambling operations, violated consumer protection rules, and engaged in aggressive marketing.
These additional fines suggest that the issue runs deeper than party politics. There may be a systemic failure in how charitable lotteries are run and regulated in Sweden — one that could now force a government review.
Preying on older people
Last year, the controversial Social Democrat lottery was accused of preying on older people. The telemarketing firm employed by the political party was found to target vulnerable senior citizens. Its sales agents, many operating from Spain, reportedly pressured confused individuals into subscribing to lotteries without fully disclosing the terms, including automatic renewals. Following the scandal, the telemarketing contract was terminated, and the CEO of the firm was dismissed.
