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The next step after the privatization of “Bilprovningen”: sell Svenska Spel
It was with a clear message that Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson (M) last week explained why the state is selling Bilprovningen, Sweden’s largest vehicle inspection company: “There is no obvious reason why the state should own this company. The state must first and foremost regulate and control this market, but it is good if others own,” she said.
The same can be said about the state-owned company in the gambling industry, Svenska Spel.
Bilprovningen and Svenska Spel belong to a handful of state holdings that are particularly unsuitable for the state to own, in that the state companies operate in a competitive market alongside a number of normal private companies, where the state has the role of regulating both its own company but also all others.
It is never a good idea to be a player and referee in the same match. No matter how much responsibility is distributed among various functions and authorities within the state, such an arrangement is set up to erode trust in the state’s role as a neutral judge. Is it the neutral judge we listen to when government officials speak, or is it the state casino director?
Having a state-owned company operating in an otherwise competitive market is by no means a guarantee that state-owned companies will perform better than private companies. This year alone, the fines issued to Svenska Spel by the Swedish Gambling Authority add up to over one hundred million kronor (€10M), for various violations of the Gambling Act. That’s more than any other gambling company on the market.
And it’s still not the big talking point of the year when it comes to scandals in the gambling industry. The big scandal has concerned a gambling company owned by a political party. Consider if a scandal of the same dignity affects a gambling company owned by the Swedish government. Every day with the state as owner of Svenska Spel, the government is exposed to this risk, e.g. with the illegal gambling advertising when Trisslotten is scratched on TV4.
Another unfortunate consequence when the state owns and operates companies on competitive markets is that the public debate about how gambling should be regulated is short-circuited, when Svenska Spel or their representatives take the floor and tell the government and the Riksdag how things should be regulated. The order in a democracy must be the other way around: it is the Riksdag and the government that have the mandate to say what Svenska Spel should do, not Svenska Spel that should give directives to the elected politicians.
The two heaviest parties in the government base in terms of the number of seats in the Riksdag – the Moderates and the Sweden Democrats – were very clear before the last election what they intended to do with Svenska Spel in the event of an election victory: privatize the state ownership. Instead, it was said, the government should concentrate on the role that only the state can have, namely, to be a legislator and to monitor that the market participants comply with laws and regulations.
The sale of AB Bilprovningen shows that the government is prepared to go from words to action, and there is no reason to wait any longer with the privatization of Svenska Spel. In fact, the state’s role as an impartial judge is probably even more important in the gambling market than in the car inspection industry.
Of course, a sale must take place according to all rules in order to get as much paid for the company as possible. The sale can then form an important basis for important government investments in, for example, infrastructure. It would be a sale we would all win from.
Gustaf Hoffstedt
Secretary General, BOS – The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling
The post The next step after the privatization of “Bilprovningen”: sell Svenska Spel appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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BMM TESTLABS’ MARZIA TURRINI, PRESIDENT OF IGAMING AND CYBERSECURITY, WINS ‘LEADER OF THE YEAR (LATAM)’ AT SBC AWARDS AMERICAS
BMM Testlabs (“BMM” or “the Company”), the world’s original gaming test lab renowned for exceptional product compliance and certification services, today announced that Marzia Turrini, President of iGaming and Cybersecurity, has been named Leader of the Year (LATAM) at the SBC Awards Americas.
The award ceremony, held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, during the SBC Summit Americas last week, celebrated the outstanding companies representing the gaming and betting industry in North America and Latin America.
Turrini was selected for this award by a 94-person judging panel representing the industry’s best. This award comes just a few months after BMM was awarded the prestigious Vixio Global Regulatory Award for ‘Testing Service or Solution Provider of the Year’.
With over two decades of gaming industry experience, Turrini was recognized for her instrumental role in driving BMM Testlabs’ growth across Latin America. Since joining BMM in 2013, she has strategically expanded BMM’s presence, successfully navigating complex regulatory landscapes and building strong partnerships with suppliers, operators, and regulators. Her leadership has been pivotal in establishing BMM as the trusted partner for compliance, cybersecurity, and responsible gaming education in emerging markets such as Brazil and Peru.
Under Turrini’s guidance, BMM recently opened a new test laboratory in Brazil, enhancing the Company’s capacity to deliver world-class product compliance testing and certification. Turrini’s commitment to fostering education and supporting industry standards has also led to the expansion of BMM’s iGaming Center of Excellence in Barcelona, Spain, growing it to 120 professionals focused on compliance, security services, and quality assurance for the LATAM and European markets.
Turrini said, “This award is a testament to the incredible work of our teams across Latin America, with great support from our Spanish colleagues, who are committed to raising industry standards and supporting regulators, suppliers, and operators with integrity and innovation. I am deeply honored to be recognized among such inspiring leaders and grateful to represent BMM Testlabs in our mission to transform gaming industry performance and protect all who gamble.”
BMM Testlabs CEO Martin Storm added, “Marzia’s leadership and vision have been transformative not only for BMM but for the entire global gaming market. Her dedication to compliance, cybersecurity, and responsible gaming has set new benchmarks for excellence. We are incredibly proud of her well-deserved recognition.”
The SBC Awards Americas honored the outstanding companies representing the gaming and betting industry in North America and Latin America. In addition to Turrini being recognized as Leader of the Year, BMM Testlabs was shortlisted for Compliance Solution of the Year, and RG24seven Virtual Training was shortlisted for Socially Responsible Initiative of the Year.
The post BMM TESTLABS’ MARZIA TURRINI, PRESIDENT OF IGAMING AND CYBERSECURITY, WINS ‘LEADER OF THE YEAR (LATAM)’ AT SBC AWARDS AMERICAS appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Clarion’s Stuart Hunter completes the ‘Spartan Beast’ raising vital funds for gambling industry charity
Clarion Gaming Managing Director Stuart Hunter has completed one of the most challenging endurance races open to amateur athletes tackling the 21km (13.1 mile) 30 obstacle Spartan Beast trail course and in the process raising crucial funds for the gambling industry charity CHIPS.
Stuart, who completed the ‘Beast’ in a highly respectable time of 3hrs 51 minutes, raised over £4,000 for the children’s charity which provides powered wheelchairs for youngsters with profound mobility issues.
Reflecting on the challenge which involved a variety of punishing obstacles including a 100m barbed wire crawl and the Tyrolean Traverse which involves hanging upside down for an extended period he said: “The ‘appeal’ of taking on an event such as the Spartan Beast is that it takes you to your physical and mental limits.
“As well as being physically fit and injury free you also need a positive mental space and mindset to push through 13 miles stopping at over 30 strength tests along the way.
“Running for a really brilliant charity such as CHIPS which was formed by members of the gambling industry helped me turn the challenge of completing the Spartan into a force for good and reinforced the positivity that’s so important when you step so far out of your comfort zone.
“I would like to say a massive thank-you to everyone in the international industry who has contributed so generously to my fundraising. Each powered wheelchair funded by CHIPS costs in the region of £6,000 – I have some way to go to get that sum over the line and as a result transform the life of a youngster.”
The post Clarion’s Stuart Hunter completes the ‘Spartan Beast’ raising vital funds for gambling industry charity appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ACR POKER’S BIGGEST SERIES EVER, THE ONLINE SUPER SERIES XL, HEATS UP THIS WEEK WITH SURVIVOR FLIPS TOURNEY AND THREE MONSTER MAIN EVENTS
Phase 1 of the $400,000 guaranteed Survivor Flips tourney starts this Thursday, leading into three Main Events guaranteeing $5 million total
ACR Poker’s largest online tournament series ever is a week in, and the action really explodes this week with Survivor Flips and the highly-anticipated monster Main Events. The popular online poker site’s flagship Online Super Series (OSS) XL boasts over $50 million in guarantees and runs until June 3rd.
The fast-paced Survivor Flips tourney features a $400,000 guaranteed prize pool, and players can earn their seat by advancing through Phase 1 starting this Thursday. Players can enter Step Satellites starting at $2.25, or jump straight into Phase 1 for a $130 buy-in. Phase 1 and Step Satellites run daily through Sunday, June 1st at 3pm ET, leading into Phase 2 that day at 3:05pm ET, where all participants start in the money and play in a regular tournament.
Hot on the heels of the Survivor Flips action kicking off, three monster Main Events are set to take center stage with Day 1’s this Sunday, May 25th and Sunday, June 1st. Day 2 is then on Monday, June 2nd. There is $2 million guaranteed in both the $2,650 buy-in and $1,050 buy-in Main Events, and $1 million guaranteed in the $215 buy-in Main Event.
“This is the biggest series in our history, offering insane value and something for everyone,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “The Main Events are massive, and the Survivor Flips tourney is especially fun — fast action, quick results, big rewards, and you start Phase 2 already in the money. Don’t miss this massive week of the OSS XL.”
In addition to these headliners, players can jump into a $2 million Multi-Flight tourney, three massive Mystery Bounty Multi-Flight events and chase a piece of the $65,000 Leaderboard Contest. Plus, there’s $50,000 in step satellites and freerolls to help players of all bankrolls climb the OSS XL ladder for cheap or even free. OSS XL events can be easily tracked via ACR Poker’s online tournament schedule.
During the series, various ACR Pros, Stormers and Team Online members such as Conor O’Driscoll and Mark Rubbathan are jumping in to connect with the community and enhance players’ experience. From ‘Survivor Hour’ streams on Twitch where viewers can win Survivor Flip seats, to sharing daily ‘Day In The Life’ videos on Instagram that offer fans an inside look at their OSS XL grind, they are bringing players closer to the action.
For the full OSS XL schedule and event details, visit ACRPoker.eu.
The post ACR POKER’S BIGGEST SERIES EVER, THE ONLINE SUPER SERIES XL, HEATS UP THIS WEEK WITH SURVIVOR FLIPS TOURNEY AND THREE MONSTER MAIN EVENTS appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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