Svenska Spel has axed bonuses


Wednesday October 9, 2013 : SVENSKA SPEL FOLLOWS THROUGH ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
 
Swedish state gambling monopoly axes bonuses following independent enquiry.
 
Sweden's state gambling monopoly Svenska Spel has axed bonuses and other forms of cash rebates following the results of an independent enquiry into consumer protection and social responsibility issues commissioned by the company and announced in its 2012 annual report.
 
Chief executive officer Lennart Käll said his decision to do away with bonusing was motivated by consumer protection concerns and the company's view on how the Swedish market should look in the future.
 
Svenska Spel has in the past been criticised for the apparent dichotomy of an organisation that justifies its monopoly and the exclusion of competitors on grounds of player protection, yet through its marketing activities encourages punters to gamble using its facilities.  The governing board has often been at pains to insist that an acceptable balance be maintained between the two conflicting goals