Swedish government loosens control over ATG
The government will no longer appoint members to the horseracing betting operator’s board.
Sweden.- The Swedish government is reducing state oversight of the horseracing betting operator AB Trav och Galopp (ATG). Under a new agreement with co-owners Svensk Travsport and Svensk Galopp, ATG’s board will comprise mainly independent members.
The new arrangement ends the Swedish government’s authority to nominate up to six of the board’s 11 members. The nomination committee will now ensure that a majority of members are independent. The board will also be able to modify ATG’s articles of association without government approval, and there will be an increase in the amount that ATG contributes to Sweden’s national foundation for the horseracing industry.
The government has described the move as a “natural continuation” of its gambling reforms, which include the recent decision to end land-based casino gaming in Sweden. That decision, approved in a vote last week, will see state-owned Svenska Spel close its remaining Casino Cosmopol venue in Stockholm.
Sweden’s financial markets minister Niklas Wykman said it was “no longer justified” for the state to be involved in offering gambling. He said: “The new agreement gives ATG full responsibility for its operations. This enables the recruitment of a board that can develop the company effectively, enhance professionalism, and strengthen Swedish equestrian sports for the future.”
Commercial online gambling operators in Sweden have long called for the government to step back from both Svenska Spel and ATG. The Swedish online gambling operator trade association BOS has called for the government to end any remaining agreements with ATG so that the company faces the same conditions as other operators.
ATG’s CEO Hasse Lord Skarplöth continues to call for horseracing betting to made exempt from last year’s gambling tax hike. The tax on gross gaming revenue in Sweden was increased from 18 to 22 per cent in July 2024. Skarplöth suggests that online casino operators should be taxed more due to higher risks and the support that horseracing betting provides for the racing sector.
Meanwhile, ATG aims to expand in neighbouring Finland. It’s entered into a joint venture with Suomen Hippos, the Finnish equestrian association, to offer online gambling in the country. Finland plans to end its state monopoly on gambling and open a competitive market by the start of 2027.
