Unibet Stockholm Marathon sponsorship set for the courts

Lotteriinspektionen, the Swedish Gambling Authority has publically warned the organisers of last Saturdays Stockholm Marathon that they may face legal action for refusing to withdraw Unibet as its event sponsor.

The Authority claimed that the organiser and sponsor were in breach of the Swedish Lottery Act, with regards to sponsorship and civil responsibility.

Lotteriinspektionen had issues court injunctions to remove Unibet banners  on the eve of the race, however the marathon organisers proceeded with the event. Unibet banners were displayed throughout the 26 mile course, as the race was televised on Swedish terrestrial television.

A Lotteriinspektionen statement read “The injunction was ignored by the organisers on due date,”

“It is now for the court to decide and listen to the arguments on why the injunction issued should be regarded as relevant – our view is that this is a clear breach of the Swedish Lottery Act, If the administrative court finds the case relevant, the organisers of the event might have to spend some time in court in the coming future.”