Another Swedish charity lottery has been embroiled in controversy over improper marketing practices found by the gaming regulator, Spelinspektionen.
Kombilotteriet, a subsidiary of A-lotterierna, which in turn is owned by the Swedish Democratic Youth Federation (SSU) and the Swedish Social Democratic Workers’ Party (SDWP), was indicted by Spelinspektionen over breaching consumer protection and telemarketing laws.
An investigation was first launched into the matter after the regulator received reports from the Swedish Consumer Agency regarding complaints from customers about aggressive marketing campaigns in September 2024.
In the course of the probe, Spelinspektionen found that third party telemarketing companies hired by the lottery directed efforts at elderly people, which the regulator considers as ‘particularly sensitive to intrusive telemarketing methods’.
The gambling authority further stated in its report that the companies had exploited the fact that elderly people might have difficulty perceiving the offers, “acting in a pushy manner to try and persuade them to enter into agreements”. This then led to consumers feeling the need to agree to the offer immediately, according to Spelinspektionen.
As a result, a collective fine of SEK 3m (£232k) has now been imposed not only on SSU and the SDWP, but also the Swedish Social Democratic Women’s Federation. All three of the sanctioned organisations benefit from proceeds generated by Kombilotteriet.
The case appears to be part of a wider crackdown on controversial marketing practices, as it follows an identical ordeal from a few days ago, where Spelinspektionen issued a SEK 1m fine to the Swedish Breast Cancer Association and the Swedish Prostate Cancer Association over similar telemarketing for their lottery, Datumlotteriet.