The Swedish government has agreed with Svensk Travsport and Svensk Galopp to reduce its control of ATG. It will no longer appoint six of the 11 board members, and the nomination committee must ensure independent members form a majority; changes to ATG’s articles will no longer require state approval.
The agreement changes state influence over ATG’s board and governance in Sweden’s gambling market.
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ATG chief executive Hasse Lord Skarplöth renewed his call for a tax reduction on horse betting in Sweden, reportedly saying the channelisation argument for current tax policy no longer applies. The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) argued that a carve-out would conflict with EU rules.
Swedish horseracing betting operator ATG has complained to Finland’s Competition and Consumer Authority, alleging that Veikkaus is abusing its position as it scales back their partnership. ATG says Veikkaus plans to stop distributing Swedish trotting races and data in Finland and to stop taking bets; Finland’s proposed law would allow licensed online gambling competition from 2027.
Finland’s Competition and Consumer Authority will investigate Veikkaus after receiving a complaint from ATG alleging anti-competitive conduct ahead of the planned 2027 market liberalisation. ATG cited five practices; Veikkaus said it had received a request for clarification, denied the allegations and would respond within the given schedule.
ATG complained to Finland’s Competition and Consumer Authority over Veikkaus’ conduct ahead of the planned opening of the remote gambling market. ATG alleges Veikkaus has restricted Swedish racing content and access to Finnish racing data; Veikkaus denies abusing its market position and said it would respond to the authority’s request for clarification.
Representatives of gambling regulators, law enforcement and industry bodies discussed responses to illegal gambling at the IAGA Conference in Berlin this week. The meeting was the first roundtable established under an MOU signed by the American Gaming Association, European Casino Association and Betting and Gaming Council last October; participants considered national and international strategies and possible joint efforts.