SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Sweden’s Svenska Spel has inked a new partnership with the Swedish Handball Federation (SHF) which will see the operator provide educational initiatives to players regarding the impact that match-fixing can have.
The initiative, launched last year, delivers workshops to a number of the country’s senior male and female teams, in addition to a number of junior sides.
“As a partner to the Swedish Handball Federation and the Swedish National Sports Association, it is important for us that the issue of match fixing is highlighted and that both young and adult athletes receive education,” said Dan Korhonen, head and product manager for sports betting and gaming safety at Svenska Spel.
“Matched matches are devastating for sport, and as the Swedish sports biggest sponsor, we will never give up the fight against match fixing”
The partnership between Svenska Spel and the SHF has since been extended to further the reach of the initiatives to the Swedish national youth teams, including the men’s under-19 side and women’s under-17 and under-19 teams.
The extended partnership includes the addition of an online education initiative, ‘My Match’, which allows players to access the initiative via their mobile devices and desktops.
“It is important that we within the handball market take the issue of gambling seriously and that we start with preventive work at an early age,” said SHF secretary general Robert Wedberg.
Last week, the Swedish state-owned gambling operator secured a new agreement with Swedish Elite Football (SEF) which means the duo will also collaborate in offering education surrounding match-fixing and sport integrity.
Svenska Spel and the SEF will deliver a series of lectures at Sweden’s annual youth tournament, The Gothia Cup, which will primarily focus on addressing the dangers of match-fixing and corruption in football.
